Self Sponsorship
Want to build your UK business and work for it? We provide professional guidance on using your own UK business as a sponsor for a Skilled Worker application, subject to the relevant immigration requirements.
Is Self Sponsorship Right for You?
“Self sponsorship” is not a separate UK visa category. It generally refers to a structure where a genuine UK business obtains the appropriate sponsor licence and sponsors an eligible worker, who may be a business owner or director, for a genuine Skilled Worker role. The business, role and applicant must all meet the relevant requirements.
You Own or Plan to Start a UK Business
You own, operate or are planning to establish a genuine UK business that may support a sponsored role.
You Have a Genuine Role
You have a genuine role within the business that may meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker route.
You Want to Work Through Your Own Business
You are considering using your own UK business as the sponsoring employer rather than relying on an unrelated employer.
You Are Planning Your Long-Term UK Future
You are considering a business-based immigration route and want to understand the requirements and possible long-term options.
How we help
What Does Self Sponsorship Involve?
A self-sponsorship arrangement generally involves two connected parts: the business must be eligible to sponsor workers, while the individual must meet the requirements of the relevant immigration route. The proposed employment must be genuine and meet the applicable requirements rather than being created solely for immigration purposes.
- Genuine UK Business: The business should be genuine and operating lawfully in the UK.
- Eligible Role: The proposed position must meet the relevant requirements for the Skilled Worker route.
- Appropriate Salary: The proposed salary must meet the applicable requirements for the role and applicant.
- Eligible Applicant: The individual must meet the relevant Skilled Worker requirements.
FAQs
No. Self sponsorship is not a separate UK immigration route. It is a term commonly used to describe an arrangement involving a person’s own business and sponsorship under an applicable immigration route, such as Skilled Worker.
A UK business may sponsor an eligible worker if it meets the relevant sponsor requirements and the proposed employment meets the Skilled Worker requirements. Owning or controlling the business does not, by itself, establish eligibility.
A business generally needs the appropriate sponsor licence if it wants to sponsor a worker under the Skilled Worker route.
No. The business must meet the sponsorship requirements and the individual must meet the relevant immigration requirements. Sponsorship does not guarantee that a visa application will be granted.
The business must meet the relevant sponsor eligibility requirements. UKVI guidance requires an organisation applying for a sponsor licence to be a genuine organisation operating or trading lawfully in the UK.
A newly established business can apply if it meets the relevant requirements and can demonstrate that it is eligible to hold a sponsor licence. The evidence required will depend on the circumstances of the business.
This depends on your current immigration permission and whether you are permitted to switch to the relevant route. Your individual circumstances should be assessed before applying.
The Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement for eligible applicants who meet the relevant requirements. Self sponsorship itself is not a separate settlement route.