If you're an entrepreneur or a skilled professional dreaming of relocating to the United Kingdom but don't have a job offer from a UK-based employer, don't worry, the UK Self-sponsorship Visa may be the route for you. Whether you're planning to scale your business or launch a new company, self-sponsorship offers you a legitimate and viable solution. With this visa route, you can sponsor yourself to enter the UK and work for your business without requiring sponsorship from a UK employer. This article explains the Self Sponsorship Visa UK, its criteria, application process, what makes it unique, and common mistakes to avoid.
Understanding the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa
The Self-sponsorship Visa isn't a formal visa category in its own right, but rather a strategic route utilising existing UK immigration rules, especially under the Skilled Worker Visa. Unlike other UK visa routes that require employer sponsorship, this pathway allows you to establish your business and sponsor yourself to live and work in the UK. The idea is basically: you set up a UK business, apply for a sponsor licence for that business, and then use that business to sponsor yourself as a skilled worker to enter the UK. This removes the need for a third-party job offer from a UK-based employer. This route is popular among business owners, freelancers, consultants, tech specialists, and professionals who want to have control over their business and work life in the UK.
Who Can Apply for a Self-Sponsorship Visa?
To be eligible for the Self-sponsorship route, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
- Business plan: You must demonstrate a viable and scalable business idea that aligns with your skills and expertize.
- Professional background: You must have relevant qualifications or work experience in a skilled occupation listed under the UK's eligible occupations list.
- Sponsorship licence: You must secure a sponsor licence for your UK company before applying for the Skilled Worker Visa.
- Genuine job role: The position you sponsor yourself must be authentic, meet the Skilled Worker Visa requirements, and must pay the minimum salary threshold.
- English proficiency: Get up to level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale to qualify for a Self-sponsorship Visa.
Other Self-Sponsorship Visa Eligibility Criteria
In addition to the eligibility criteria specified above, the following include other requirements you must meet to qualify for this route:
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Have sufficient funds to cover your expenses in the United Kingdom.
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Provide a Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate.
Self-Sponsorship Visa Application Process
To enter the UK through the Self-sponsorship route, you can take the following steps:
Establish a UK Company
The first step is to establish a company in the UK. Within 24 hours, you can set up a business online through Companies House. You'll need a unique business name, a registered office address, and at least one director (which can be you). You can use a virtual office address or collaborate with a UK-based consultant to set up and register the business.
Request a Sponsor Licence
Apply for a sponsor licence from the Home Office. This allows your company to sponsor workers, including yourself. You would normally receive a response from the Home Office within 8 weeks of applying for a sponsor licence. However, you can expect a response within 10 days if you opt for the priority service. The application process involves:
- Describing the nature of your business.
- Outlining your HR and compliance processes.
- Submitting your corporate documents.
- Paying the sponsor licence fee:
- £574 for small and charitable organizations.
- £1,579 for other organizations.
Create an Authentic Job Role
To meet the visa criteria, your company must offer you a genuine job role that falls within the Skilled Worker Visa list, such as Financial Analyst, IT Consultant, or Medical Practitioner, among other eligible occupations.
Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your business can issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) after obtaining the sponsor licence. This is a digital record that specifies your job title, description, salary, and reference number, which you will use when applying for the Skilled Worker Visa.
Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa
You can apply for a Skilled Worker Visa using the information in your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), especially your reference number. This process is generally simple if all your documentation is in order, including the following:
- Valid passport.
- Proof of English proficiency.
- Financial evidence is required unless your business will sponsor you.
- Police clearance certificate (proof of a clean criminal history).
- Biometric information.
You may need professional guidance from an immigration lawyer to help you submit an error-free Skilled Worker Visa application to increase your chances of success. The immigration lawyer understands the requirements and the necessary steps to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa.
What Makes the Self-Sponsorship Visa Different?
The Self-sponsorship Visa is unique due to the following reasons:
- Unlike the Innovator Founder Visa, the Self-sponsorship route does not require enforcement by a government-approved body. Also, strict innovation criteria or investment thresholds do not limit you.
- The Self-sponsorship route is more accessible for professionals with traditional and valuable talents.
- There is no strict requirement for job creation in the UK for your business.
- It offers a pathway for individuals who don't have a sponsoring employer or those who prefer to run their business on their own terms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The common mistakes in a Self-sponsorship Visa application and how to avoid them include the following:
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation: Some applicants submit outdated documents and insufficient documents. Ensure your documentation is up-to-date. You can also use a document checklist to ensure you include all the required documents for your Self-sponsorship Visa application.
- Inadequate financial planning: Your application may be refused if you can't prove the economic sustainability and profitability of your business. Hence, you must provide detailed and realistic financial projections for your business. This can convince the Home Office that your business deserves to be issued a sponsor licence.
- Overly ambitious projections: In your aim to sound very convincing about your business’s viability, you must avoid making unrealistic financial forecasts. You must provide realistic projections based on thorough market research and analysis, rather than unfounded claims.
Final Thoughts
The UK Self-sponsorship Visa route offers a unique opportunity to take control of your immigration journey and establish a business in the UK. If you're confident in your skills and business goals, this immigration pathway gives you a unique opportunity to enter the UK and maximize your business potential. While the process involves multiple steps and regulatory responsibilities, it's achievable with proper planning and professional guidance from an immigration lawyer. To avoid risking a refusal of this self-sponsored route, you may seek legal support, as it's ideal for business owners and professionals who intend to live and work in the UK without requiring a job offer from a UK-based employer.
