How to Secure a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa in the UK

Self-sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa is a structured process that involves four critical stages:

1. Incorporate a UK Company

2. Obtain a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence

3. Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

4. Submit the Skilled Worker Visa Application

Stage 1: Incorporating a UK Company

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship, you must first establish a legitimate business entity in the United Kingdom. This can be achieved by registering a new company or leveraging an existing UK-registered company under your control.

Can You Register a UK Company While Living Overseas?

Yes, foreign nationals can register a UK company without being physically present in the UK. The law does not require company directors to be UK residents or British citizens. Nevertheless, every director whether a UK resident or a non-resident must adhere to legal responsibilities and corporate governance obligations.

If a non-resident director cannot fulfil certain duties, such as attending board meetings or signing statutory documents in person, they may delegate these tasks to an appointed UK-based representative.

Professional Assistance for Company Formation

For individuals unfamiliar with the intricacies of UK corporate law or the company registration process, it is often advisable to engage a professional company formation agent. These experts ensure compliance with UK regulations, streamline the registration procedure, and help you avoid costly errors.

Additionally, you must verify compliance with the laws of your home country regarding ownership or management of overseas companies, as certain jurisdictions impose reporting or regulatory requirements for foreign business interests.

Sponsor Licence Applications for Start-Ups: Key Insights

Demonstrating a Genuine and Lawfully Operating Business

To convince the Home Office that your enterprise is both genuine and legally compliant, you must submit a minimum of four official documents, as outlined in Appendix A of the Sponsor Guidance.

The specific documentation required will depend on your company’s circumstances. Therefore, seeking expert legal advice is strongly recommended.

For businesses trading in the UK for less than 18 months (classified as start-ups), a Skilled Worker sponsor licence application will typically include:

Mandatory Document:

• Evidence of an active corporate bank account with a financial institution regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK.

Plus any three of the following supporting documents:

1. Confirmation of PAYE and National Insurance registration with HMRC;

2. Evidence of VAT registration;

3. Employer’s liability insurance of at least £5 million, issued by an FCA-authorised insurer;

4. Proof of ownership or lease agreement for your business premises;

5. The company’s most recent annual financial accounts.

Opening a UK Business Bank Account as a Non-Resident

It is possible for a non-UK resident to establish a business bank account in the UK, but the eligibility criteria and process can vary by bank.

Typically, you will need to provide:

• Valid identification such as a passport or national identity card;

• Proof of address (which may be challenging for non-residents);

• Evidence of income or funding sources.

Some banks may require:

• A UK residential address;

• UK tax residency status;

• In-person verification at a local branch.

Other banks may offer online application facilities, but this varies. Conducting thorough research on individual bank requirements is advisable. Consulting a qualified professional can also help you navigate this process, ensuring that all regulatory and compliance obligations are fully met.

Does Your UK Business Need to Be Actively Trading?

For a UK business to qualify for sponsorship, it must be formally registered with Companies House, maintain a UK business bank account, and, in many instances, be registered for PAYE/NI and VAT. However, there is no requirement for the business to be actively trading or generating revenue in the UK at the time of application.

Nevertheless, presenting evidence that your UK entity is a genuine, lawfully operating organisation can significantly strengthen your case before the Home Office. This is particularly the case if:

• Your overseas business is already trading, and there is a legitimate commercial rationale for establishing a UK branch.

• You have developed a comprehensive business plan for your UK venture.

• You can demonstrate adequate financial investment, including funds to cover staffing and operational costs.

• You have initiated early-stage activities in the UK such as launching a fully functional website, setting up a local telephone line, or establishing a professional email domain.

At Link and Day Lawyers, our immigration experts have successfully secured sponsor licences for both start-ups connected to overseas businesses and brand-new UK enterprises with no prior trading history. We provide strategic guidance on your available options and assess your likelihood of success.

Demonstrating Your Business Can Fulfil Sponsor Duties

Every licensed sponsor must meet a series of compliance obligations, including record-keeping, reporting duties, and adherence to UK immigration laws.

The Home Office will assess whether your organisation is equipped to meet these responsibilities by evaluating your human resource and recruitment systems. For example, they will expect your company to have mechanisms in place to track employee attendance, monitor visa expiration dates, and maintain up-to-date employee records. A compliance audit may also be carried out, either before a decision is made on your application or after your sponsor licence is granted.

As part of our sponsor licence services, Link and Day Lawyers provides clients with a comprehensive HR policy and compliance package, including:

• A detailed Sponsor Licence Policy Guide.

• Right to Work checks and compliance advice.

• A record-keeping checklist with professional templates.

• Ongoing guidance for managing HR systems and ensuring ongoing compliance.

Genuine Employment Meeting Skill and Salary Thresholds

To qualify under the Skilled Worker route, the Home Office will require confirmation that:

• The role you intend to sponsor meets the minimum skill level (typically RQF Level 3 or higher). Eligible roles are defined in Appendix Skilled Occupations and the Immigration Salary List, each with a specific SOC 2020 occupation code.

• The proposed salary meets or exceeds the required thresholds: the general salary benchmark is £38,700 per year, but reduced thresholds (e.g., £34,830 or £30,960) may apply if you qualify for tradable points.

• The employment offer is genuine, and the role is not created solely for visa purposes.

• There exists a legitimate employer-employee relationship between the UK company and the worker. While some overseas employment arrangements are acceptable, third-party placements for ongoing roles are not permitted.

As part of your sponsor licence application, you must also provide the Home Office with detailed evidence, including:

• A clear business rationale for applying for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, including sector-specific details and operating hours.
  
  
• A current hierarchy chart showing company directors, owners, and board members.
  
  
• A list of all employees, with names and titles (for companies with 50 or fewer employees).
  
  
• Detailed job descriptions for roles requiring Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), including job titles, SOC codes, duties, minimum salaries, and qualification requirements.
  
  
• If a candidate has already been identified for a role (without advertising), a written explanation of how that individual was selected as the best fit, alongside personal details required by the Home Office.

Appointing Key Personnel for a Sponsor Licence

Before initiating an application for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, it is essential to designate three key personnel roles within your UK-based business entity:

• Authorising Officer – This individual bears overall responsibility for managing the sponsorship licence and ensuring full compliance with the duties and obligations imposed by the Home Office.

• Key Contact – Acts as the principal liaison between your business and the Home Office.

• Level 1 User – Handles the day-to-day sponsorship operations via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).

When exploring self-sponsorship routes, specific conditions concerning these roles must be taken into account:

• The same individual may hold multiple key personnel roles, or each role may be assigned to different individuals.

• Each appointed key personnel member (or the sole individual occupying all roles) must be physically based in the UK at the time of appointment and throughout their tenure.

• The Authorising Officer and the initial Level 1 User must be a paid director, employee, or officeholder (e.g., company secretary) of the UK entity when the application is submitted.

• The Authorising Officer must possess sufficient authority and oversight to meet all compliance responsibilities.

• The Level 1 User must be a British citizen or a person settled in the UK.

In practical terms, applying for a Skilled Worker visa under self-sponsorship requires appointing a trusted UK-based individual who is either British or settled and willing to serve as a paid director, employee, or officeholder of your UK business.

If you are considering engaging a third-party service provider to act as your UK Director and Authorising Officer for a fee, it is vital to assess whether they can demonstrate adequate involvement and oversight of your UK business to satisfy Home Office requirements. Keep in mind that the Home Office often conducts unannounced compliance inspections at the business premises of the Authorising Officer.

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence – Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Stage 3: Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once your business successfully obtains a sponsor licence, you can apply for and allocate a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective Skilled Worker visa applicants.

A CoS is a unique electronic record that must be assigned to each migrant worker you intend to employ. Each CoS contains a reference number, which the worker will use to apply for a Skilled Worker visa under self-sponsorship.

Key CoS requirements include:

• The Certificate must be issued no more than 3 months prior to the Skilled Worker visa application.

• It must detail the applicant’s job title, salary, and role description.

• The job start date must not exceed 3 months from the date of the visa application.

• The CoS must not have been previously used in a successful or refused application and should remain valid without withdrawal or cancellation.

Skilled Worker Visa via Self-Sponsorship

Stage 4: Applying for a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa

After assigning a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, you can proceed to submit your Skilled Worker visa application through self-sponsorship.

To qualify, the application must demonstrate the following:

• The CoS is valid and correctly assigned.

• The job role constitutes a genuine vacancy.

• The role meets the required skill level criteria.

• The salary meets or exceeds both the general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ under the relevant SOC 2020 occupation code.

• All applicable Immigration Skills Charges have been paid by the sponsor.

• You meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1 or above (equivalent to IELTS 4.0).

• You have sufficient financial resources to support yourself without public funds.

• A criminal record certificate is provided, if required.

• A valid TB test certificate is provided, if applicable.

Applications for a Skilled Worker visa can be submitted up to 3 months prior to your intended start date in the UK.

• For applicants outside the UK, the standard processing time is approximately 3 weeks.
  
  
• For applications submitted within the UK (extension or switching routes), the standard processing time is 8 weeks, with priority and super-priority services available for faster decisions.

Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa: Key FAQs

Can I serve as both Director and shareholder of my UK company when self-sponsoring for a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, under the self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa route, you are permitted to act as a Director of your UK company while owning up to 100% of its shares.

Is there a minimum investment fund requirement for a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa?

No, applicants pursuing a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship are not required to demonstrate a minimum level of investment funds. However, the UK Home Office must be convinced that your UK-based company is a legitimate and lawfully operating entity. While not mandatory, having adequate investment capital to grow your business and meet salary obligations can strengthen your application.

Does my UK business need to be innovative or unique to qualify?

No, unlike the Innovator Founder route, the Skilled Worker visa does not demand that the sponsoring business be innovative, scalable, or viable. There is no requirement for endorsement by an approved Home Office endorsing body, and there are no restrictions on the nature of business activities. Almost any type of lawful business can meet the criteria for the Skilled Worker self-sponsorship route.

Is a business plan mandatory for a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa application?

A business plan is not a compulsory requirement. However, having a well-prepared and comprehensive business plan often helps to demonstrate to the Home Office that your UK company is genuine and lawfully operating. A professionally crafted business plan can significantly reinforce the credibility of your application.

Do I need to receive a salary while on a self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, as a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa holder, you must draw a salary from your company. This salary must meet or exceed both the general salary threshold and the “going rate” for your occupation (as defined in the SOC 2020 occupation codes), unless you qualify for tradable points. Your exact salary requirement will depend on your job role, skill level, and qualifications.

Does the Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa Require Proof of English Proficiency?

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa through the self-sponsorship route, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language in all four key components reading, writing, speaking, and listening at a minimum of B1 level (intermediate) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Individuals applying for entry clearance or leave to remain as self-sponsored Skilled Workers can meet the English language requirement if they:

• Are a citizen of a majority English-speaking country.

• Have successfully passed a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

• Hold a degree that was taught in English.

• Possess a GCSE, A-Level, or Scottish Higher qualification in English obtained during schooling in the UK.

• Have already satisfied the B1 level English requirement in a prior successful visa or immigration application.

Duration of the Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa

Once your self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa application is approved, you will receive entry clearance or permission to remain in the UK for a period that ends 14 days after the expiry date of your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The Certificate of Sponsorship can be valid for up to a maximum of five years from its start date.

Can I Work Additional Jobs While Running My UK Business on a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa?

Holders of a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa are authorised to work in the role for which they have been sponsored. They may also take on supplementary employment, provided that:

• The secondary job qualifies as “supplementary employment” under Home Office rules.

• They continue to work in their primary sponsored position.

Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Self-Sponsored Skilled Workers

Yes, it is possible to secure Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Skilled Worker category after completing five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK. To qualify, you must:

• Fulfil the required residence conditions.
  
  
• Successfully pass the Life in the UK test (unless exempt).
  
  
• Ensure your UK-based business remains a Home Office-approved sponsor.
  
  
• Continue to work in the role for which you were sponsored.
  
  
• Meet the required salary thresholds either the general ILR salary threshold or the “going rate” for your occupation, whichever is higher.