Do you intend to relocate to the United Kingdom to go and live, work or start your own business? The self-sponsorship route is a relatively new option to the traditional employment visa and it is becoming very popular among many entrepreneurs, freelancers, and several professionals.
This document will step-by-step show you how to get the self-sponsored visa in UK, UK Company registration procedures, and legal requirements, cost, and frequently asked questions in simple and practical means by a person who has witnessed the actual way this process works.
What Is a Self-Sponsored Visa in UK?
One myth that we should clear out first is that there is no special type of visa that is formally known as a Self-Sponsorship Visa.
It is a Skilled Worker Visa, literally acquired by your own company in the UK, which has a Sponsor Licence and can legally sponsor you to work in it.
In simpler terms:
- You start a company in the UK → The company gives you a sponsor licence → The company offers you a skilled job and you apply on a Skilled Worker visa.
Self-sponsored visa to the UK implies that you take your company to sponsor yourself and you enjoy the full control, flexibility, and the liberty to develop a career or a business according to your terms and conditions.
Key Legal and Immigration Requirements for Self Sponsored Visa in UK
In order to be able to get a self sponsored visa in the UK, one needs to fulfill the business and immigration requirements. Here’s what that involves:
1. UK Company Registration
- You have to legally register a company in the UK in Companies House first.
- This involves selecting a company name, address registration, appointing directors and specifying the business structure.
- Typical cost: around £50–£100.
- The basis of the self sponsorship route is the completion of the UK Company Registration.
2. Obtain a Sponsor Licence
- After registering your company in the UK, your business should apply to the Home Office to have a sponsor licence.
- This licence will enable the company to issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- The business must show:
- Genuine trading activity
- Ability to fulfill the compliance obligations of sponsors.
- An actual necessity of the expert job you will hold.
- The Home Office could inspect or audit the company and then authorise the licence.
3. Develop an Authentic Competent Position
- The job you are offering yourself has to be genuine, talented and has to comply with minimum salary standards (typically at the point of about £41,700 or the rate of the job that you are in).
- The roles are expected to be at RQF Level 6 or beyond i.e. graduate level.
- Examples are: Managing Director, Business Development Manager or Technical Consultant.
4. English language requirement
- You need to demonstrate a B1 or above level of proficiency in English by an authorised test or by an English-taught recognised degree.
5. Financial Stability
- You must demonstrate personal savings of not less than £1,270 (except to the certifying of maintenance by your company).
- Also, your business must be able to demonstrate financial capability i.e. a UK bank account, invoices, or client contracts.
6. Demonstrating Decompliance and Key Personnel
- To keep a sponsor licence your company must appoint:
- Authorising Officer
- Key Contact
- Level 1 User (of the Sponsor Management System)
- One of them will tend to be at least one based in the UK.
Step-by-Step Process: How to Get Self Sponsored Visa in UK
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Write your business plan | Select business ideas and select your business structure – limited company, partnership or sole trader. |
| 2. Registering a UK Company in full | Register a company full with Companies House and choose a SIC code, and obtain your Certificate of Incorporation. |
| 3. Establish operations | Open a business bank account, plan office address, put up a web site, and/or accounting and payroll systems. |
| 4. Apply for a Sponsor Licence | Send your application to the Home Office together with your documents and pay the relevant fee (approximately the price of 536 pounds when you are a small company). |
| 5. Apply to a job for yourself | Make sure that the job is on the Skilled Worker list, it is at the required salary and your required skill level and that it matches your qualifications. |
| 6. Obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | After you have been granted a sponsor licence, you can now be issued with a CoS by your company to make the Skilled Worker application. |
| 7. Get your Skilled Worker visa | Take out online, supply biometrics and other documents needed to include passport, CoS and evidence of funds. |
| 8. Be compliant after approval | Keep on operating your business in good faith, paying taxation, reporting to UKVI and renewing your licence when necessary. |
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
- Proving a veritable business need: Present contracts, Letters of intent, or marketing activity that indicates that your company is doing a legit business.
- Meeting salary thresholds: Frequently reference updated UKVI advice – wage obligations are revised on a regular basis.
- Financial credibility: Most new firms do not have a record of trade, so to prove your case supporting evidence would be helpful, like estimates or early customer correspondence.
- Sponsor compliance: Make sure that your HR systems, record keeping and reporting practice are sound. Random audits are carried out by the Home Office
Benefits and Considerations
Advantages
- Complete freedom of your visa path and career path.
- Liberty to develop and increase your business.
- Eligibility to apply to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) upon completion of 5 years.
- Flexibility to recruit other competent employees in future.
Disadvantages
- High initial expense (company registration, sponsor licence, legal, and visa).
- Close adherence and frequent monitoring of the Home Office.
- Need to keep on authentic operations at all times.
Quick Checklist Before Applying
- UK Company Registration finished.
- Financial model and business plan prepared.
- Sponsor Licence applied to or approved.
- Skilled job role defined
- English test passed (B1 level)
- There are funds in my bank account.
- Authorising Officer, Key Contact, appointed.
- Premises and records prepared in business.
Current Rule Updates (2025)
- Most job opportunities will qualify in July 2025 and should be at RQF Level 6 and above.
- The minimum salary rate was raised to £41,700 (or more depending on occupation).
- The Home Office is currently demanding increased evidence of trading activity in order to grant sponsor licence approvals.
Such developments make it the more important to ensure that you plan your registration of a company in UK carefully and ensure that there is adherence to everything
Final Thoughts
One of the most equipping things that you can do to begin your journey in the UK is to secure a self-sponsored visa. It also allows you to become your own employer, run your own business and one day even be eligible to permanent residence without being a burden to the UK economy.
To be able to have a self-sponsored visa in the UK, first make sure that your company is registered clean, that your business plan is realistic and your operations are genuine. This line of thinking has the potential to open up fantastic prospects to entrepreneurs across the globe with the appropriate preparation.
FAQs
Q1. Is it possible to sponsor myself to a UK visa but my company is not trading yet?
Not directly. Before anyone can be sponsored by a company, it has to prove to be real, that is, by a contract, an invoice or even just some working arrangement.
Q2. Would a company registration in the UK suffice to seek a visa?
No. You also need to get a Sponsor licence by the home office. Registration of your company does not give you rights to sponsorship; it only forms your business entity.
Q3. Is it necessary to have a resident director in the UK?
No, there is no need to have a resident director in the UK.
Q4. What is my lowest required salary under self-sponsorship?
By 2025, you are required to satisfy a minimum of Skilled Worker of £41,700 or going rate to your job -whichever is higher.
Q5. Is this a path that I can use to become a permanent resident?
Yes. Following 5 years of consecutive working on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply to the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as long as your business is active and compliant
If you need further assistance or have any doubts, our experts are here to help you. Call us: 8881-069-069.
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