Self sponsorship visa UK has become a practical option for overseas entrepreneurs seeking to move to the UK. In simple terms, self-sponsorship means setting up (or acquiring) a UK company, obtaining a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, and then sponsoring the worker under that licence. This is not a new visa route invented in 2025, but rather a strategic use of the existing Skilled Worker framework after the removal of old Tier 2 shareholding caps. As traditional business investor routes (Tier 1 Entrepreneur/Investor) closed, self-sponsorship filled the gap by allowing entrepreneurs to legally enter and manage their own business in the UK. Recent years have seen growing interest in this “UK Self Sponsorship Visa” although applicants should note the Home Office’s increasing scrutiny on these cases.
What Is the UK Self Sponsorship Visa Route?
The UK self sponsorship visa route isn’t a standalone visa but simply using the Skilled Worker visa in a creative way. It allows a business owner to be both employer and employee: you establish a UK company (for example, a limited company at Companies House) and obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence for that company. Then the company issues you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a skilled job that you will perform. In effect, you are sponsoring yourself by using the route of self sponsorship visa UK. Crucially, this relies on the fact that the UK’s points-based Skilled Worker rules no longer forbid majority shareholder employees. Since 2020, there has been no ownership cap on shareholding for Skilled Worker sponsors. In practice, you still need oversight – the company must appoint a settled (UK) person to key licence roles to maintain compliance. In short, self sponsorship Visa UK is a legal and viable strategy combining a sponsor licence with a Skilled Worker visa, rather than a separate immigration category.
Who Can Apply for Self Sponsorship Visa UK?
- Entrepreneurs and investors: Individuals from overseas who want to establish a business presence in the UK can apply. Your business can be entirely new or an expansion of an existing international company.
- Start‑ups (under 18 months): The Home Office explicitly treats companies trading for less than 18 months as “start‑ups,” and these new businesses are eligible for a sponsor licence. You do not need years of turnover or trading history. However, younger businesses may face closer scrutiny and must provide alternative evidence (bank statements, invoices, business plan) of genuine activity.
- UK business context: The UK company must be genuine and have a “defined commercial purpose” and structure (for example a clear business plan). The company must have a UK‑based office address (this can be a legitimate serviced or virtual office, not just a PO Box). It also needs at least one UK-resident director or office-holder – this could be the sponsor or another individual.
- Limitations: Certain jobs and situations are restricted. For example, sponsoring care workers in England requires the company to be a registered care provider with the CQC. Also, anyone involved in the sponsorship process must be eligible – key personnel cannot have recent criminal convictions or unresolved compliance issues. The sponsor licence guidance will refuse applications if the business or key staff fail suitability checks. Finally, be aware of conflicts of interest: if your relative is the sponsored employee, you must declare the relationship, and the Home Office will not let a key staff member assign a CoS to their own family member.
How to Set Up a Business for Self Sponsorship Visa UK?
- Incorporate the company: Register a UK limited company at Companies House. The company should have a clear business purpose, along with a detailed business plan and financial projections. New companies are fine, but the plan must show realistic trading intentions.
- Establish a UK address: Use a genuine UK office or address. A serviced or virtual office is acceptable if it provides a real workspace and you can provide evidence of a lease or contract. (Home Office guidance expects proof of your premises, such as a lease agreement or utility bill.)
- Key personnel: Appoint at least one other UK-based person in the company besides yourself. This could be a second director, secretary or officer. One of these must serve as the Sponsor Authorising Officer on the licence. The Authorising Officer should be senior and usually holds ultimate responsibility for compliance. (In practice, this means you might need a UK-settled co-director or partner to act as AO.)
- Set up HR and systems: Put in place internal HR practices and record-keeping. The Home Office will expect the company to have a payroll system, HR manuals, and processes to record workers’ hours and salary. Building credible financials and showing you can pay salaries (e.g. with company bank statements) is essential.
Applying for a Sponsor Licence
To get Self Sponsorship Visa UK, the new UK company must first obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence from UK Visas & Immigration. The key steps and requirements are:
- Nominate key roles: You must appoint a Sponsor Authorising Officer, a Key Contact, and a Level 1 (or Level 2) SMS user in your company. The Authorising Officer is typically the most senior official (board director, CEO or managing partner) and is responsible for overseeing all sponsorship duties. The Level 1 User manages the day-to-day tasks in the Sponsorship Management System. These roles can be the same person or different people, but at least one must be a settled UK person based in the UK. (Contractors or overseas-only staff are not acceptable for these roles.)
- Suitability checks: The Home Office will vet all nominated individuals. They must not have recent criminal convictions (e.g. for the listed offences), UKVI fines, or a history of breaching immigration rules. They should not be under bankruptcy restrictions or subject to any pending immigration sanctions. All key staff must usually be actual paid employees or legal officers of the company, not merely external consultants.
- Application: Complete the online licence application, pay the fee, and submit the required documents. For a small or start‑up business, you typically need to send at least 4 supporting documents – for example, your Companies House certificate, a recent corporate bank statement, a lease agreement for your premises, and evidence of business activity (such as client invoices or contracts). Section 2 of the Home Office Appendix A provides specific lists (e.g. company registration documents, insurance, bank statements) that demonstrate your business is legitimate. The application will ask for details of your proposed job vacancies, staff and recruitment plans.
- Compliance policies: You’ll also need to show you have the right internal controls. This includes a personnel policy for reporting and record-keeping, as well as a payroll capable of paying at least the National Minimum Wage. The Home Office will review whether the company “has appropriate HR and compliance systems in place,” and is financially stable with a need for skilled workers.
If the licence application is approved, your company becomes a licensed sponsor and can start assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).
Assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship and Skilled Worker Visa
Once the company holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, it can assign you a CoS for the job you will do. Key points in this stage:
- Certificate details: The CoS must correctly describe your job: the title, duties and SOC (occupation) code, skill level and salary. You should choose the appropriate four-digit SOC code (using the CASCOT tool if needed) that matches your role. The job must meet Skilled Worker criteria: it should be at least RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) or above.
- Salary and skill thresholds: Under current rules, your offered salary must meet the higher of the standard minimum (£38,700 per year from April 2024) or the published “going rate” for that occupation code. Some exceptions allow a lower rate (e.g. new entrants or shortage occupations), but in general, the salary must be at least £30,960 or the going rate, whichever is higher. If the business intends to sponsor you as a care worker in England, remember you must work for a registered care provider (see above).
- Applying for the visa: After assigning a valid CoS, you apply for the Skilled Worker visa (inside or outside the UK, depending on your current status). You must submit the CoS reference, proof of English proficiency (at least CEFR B1), and evidence that you meet the financial requirements. You will also need to provide documents proving the business and your role – for example, your share certificate, director service agreement, or company board minutes, to show you legitimately control or work for the company. The application process itself is the standard Skilled Worker process: you pay the visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and provide biometric information for Self Sponsorship Visa UK.
- Duration and ILR: If granted, the visa is typically valid for up to five years. After five years on a Skilled Worker visa (including time in other eligible work visas), you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement). Over time, the UK self sponsorship visa route can therefore be a pathway to long-term UK residence.
Genuineness Requirements: Key to Success or Rejection
A crucial factor in UK Self Sponsorship Visa applications is genuineness. The Home Office will carefully assess that both the job and the business are real and necessary:
- Vacancy genuineness: When sponsoring any worker, a company must prove there is a genuine vacancy that meets the skill and salary rules. The Skilled Worker sponsor guidance expressly requires that the offered job “meets the skill level and salary requirements” and “is genuine”. In other words, you must show that you actually intend and are able to do the job described, and that it isn’t simply a ploy to get a visa. The Home Office will look at whether you advertised the position, your current duties, and any supporting materials.
- Company genuineness: The business must also be genuine. For a newly established company, the Home Office expects evidence of planned operations and viability. You should prepare strong documentation: for example, company accounts or bank statements showing funds, contracts or invoices from clients, director agreements, or any licences/registrations relevant to your trade. Appendix A of the Sponsor Guidance explicitly suggests supplying recent client invoices or service contracts as evidence of activity. A lease or utility bill for your office (even if virtual) can prove a bona fide address.
- Evidence portfolio: Compile a comprehensive portfolio: business bank statements, accounting records, tax returns, client letters or invoices, business plans, organizational charts, and any marketing materials. The more proof you have of actual trading or planned operations, the stronger. As Quastel’s notes, “A robust business plan and supporting financial documentation are crucial” at this stage.
- Consequences of doubt: If the Home Office doubts the legitimacy of the job or company, they can refuse the licence application or block the visa. In practice, the UK Self Sponsorship Visa route has received closer scrutiny, and refusals often cite lack of evidence or perceived conflict of interest. Licence refusals carry a six-month “cooling off” period before reapplying, though a judicial review may be possible in exceptional cases. Visa refusals can be appealed (if in-country) or re-applied for from abroad. In short, thorough preparation of genuine evidence is key; any hint of a “sham” job can derail the application.
Can Family Members Join You?
Yes. As with any Skilled Worker visa, your spouse or partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK as your dependents. They must meet the normal requirements (e.g. prove the relationship and have sufficient maintenance funds). For instance, your partner should be a UK-recognised spouse/civil partner or have lived with you in a lasting relationship (usually at least 2 years). Your children must be under 18 and live with you (unless studying away). You (or they) must show a modest amount of funds (currently a few hundred pounds per dependent) to cover initial living costs unless exempt.
However, you cannot simply create a job “for your spouse” without genuine business need. Any position filled by a relative must also be a real skilled vacancy open on normal recruitment terms. The Home Office requires disclosure of any “related party” situation. In fact, the guidance explicitly restricts a key staff member from issuing a CoS to their own family member. In practice, this means: if your intended co-worker is your husband/wife or other close relative, you must declare that relationship. Ideally, the sponsoring company should have another staff member assign the CoS. In short, while family can join as dependents, the role itself cannot be a mere favour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I sponsor myself if I already live in the UK on a different visa? Possibly, if your current visa allows switching to Skilled Worker status. For example, migrants on a Tier 2 (General) visa or who have completed an eligible Student course may be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa (with a new CoS) from within the UK. However, those on a Visitor, short-term student, seasonal worker, domestic worker, or similar visas cannot switch into Skilled Worker from inside the UK. If you are on an ineligible visa, you would need to return abroad and apply for the UK Self Sponsorship Visa route from there. In any case, you can only sponsor yourself once your UK company has the licence and a CoS is assigned.
- Can I use a virtual office for self sponsorship visa UK? Yes, but carefully. The company must have a genuine UK office address. A serviced office or virtual office (where you have a dedicated address and can show legitimate use) is acceptable. You’ll need proof of this arrangement – for example, a signed lease or service contract – as evidence of premises. The Home Office explicitly asks for proof of ownership or lease of your business address. Note that generic PO Boxes are insufficient; the address should be a real business location to apply for Self Sponsorship Visa UK.
- Do I need to show turnover or trading history? No formal trading history is required if your company is new. UK guidance recognises companies trading for under 18 months as start-ups, and it does not demand years of accounts. Instead, you should show other evidence of viability: this could include a business plan, market research, bank statements, invoices or contracts. If your company is over 18 months old, published accounts and tax returns become important. The key is to satisfy the Home Office that the business is real and sustainable, whether through turnover figures or equivalent proof of activity.
- What if the only director is the sponsored person? You can still set up the company, but you cannot wear all the hats in the licence structure. You will need at least one other person (with settled status) in a senior role. For example, you might appoint a UK-based friend, relative, or hire a non-executive director to be the Authorising Officer or Level 1 User. In sponsor licence terms, a key point is that you, as a director/shareholder, cannot be the sole compliance controller. One settled UK-resident person must take on the Authorising Officer role to oversee the licence. In short: one-person companies are possible, but you’ll need to add (and document) at least one other UK person in the management/HR structure to satisfy the licence requirements.
- What documents are needed for the sponsor licence application? Typically, you must submit at least four pieces of evidence (more if route-specific rules demand it) if you wish to apply for self sponsorship visa UK. Key documents include your Companies House certificate and memorandum, the company’s latest corporate bank statements, and proof of your UK address or office (e.g. a lease or utility bill). You should also include evidence of business activity – for example, client invoices, service contracts, or professional registrations. The guidance lists many options (insurances, tax documents, letterheads etc.), but start with the essentials: corporate formation papers, director IDs (passport), premises documentation, financial documents (accounts or bank statements), and any recruitment plans or job adverts. Your application form will also require details of the company’s structure and the vacancies to be filled.
Self Sponsorship Visa UK: Conclusion
Self Sponsorship Visa UK is a legitimate but complex pathway that leverages the Skilled Worker visa for entrepreneurial migration. The combined sponsor licence and Skilled Worker process can indeed allow an overseas business owner to settle in the UK, provided all requirements are met. Because the Home Office is cautious about misuse, this route demands thorough preparation: a solid business plan, clear evidence of operations, and scrupulous compliance with sponsorship duties.
Farani Taylor Solicitors have extensive expertise in UK immigration and business law. We advise clients on every step – from company setup and sponsor licence applications to preparing CoS documentation and visa submissions. Our team can help you navigate the detailed requirements, ensure genuine evidence is compiled, and address any complexities (such as related-party issues or switching visas). In short, working with experienced immigration lawyers like Farani Taylor can greatly improve your chances of a smooth UK self sponsorship Visa application and long-term success in the UK.
This article is authored by Sajjad Hussain, Solicitor in our Immigration department. Reach him at +44 207 242 1666.