5 Salient Steps to Apply for Self-Sponsorship in the UK

In today’s competitive global job market, self-sponsorship has become an increasingly popular route for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to establish themselves in the United Kingdom. Self-sponsorship essentially means creating or using your own company to sponsor your work visa, giving you the freedom to work and live in the UK under your own terms. While the process might seem daunting at first, breaking it down into manageable steps can make your journey much smoother.

Step 1: Establish a UK-Based Company

The first and most crucial step in self-sponsorship is establishing a legitimate UK-based company. This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about creating a genuine business entity that will serve as your sponsor.

What you need to do:

Register your company with Companies House (the UK’s registrar of companies)
Ensure your business has a UK address
Appoint directors (you can be one of them, but consider having UK-based directors as well)
Develop a comprehensive business plan that demonstrates viability
Set up a UK business bank account

Important note: The business must be genuine and trading. The Home Office conducts thorough checks to prevent visa fraud, so your company must have real clients, income, and business activities.

Step 2: Apply for a Sponsor License

Once your company is established, it needs to become an approved sponsor before it can issue sponsorship certificates to anyone, including yourself.

What you need to do:

Appoint key personnel required by the sponsor license system:
Authorizing Officer (a senior person responsible for compliance)
Key Contact (main point of contact with the Home Office)
Level 1 User (day-to-day management of the sponsorship system)
Complete the online application form on the UK government website
Pay the license fee (currently £536 for small companies or £1,476 for medium/large companies)
Prepare supporting documentation demonstrating your company’s legitimacy
Be prepared for a potential compliance visit from the Home Office

Timeline: The process typically takes 8-10 weeks, though you can pay an additional fee for priority processing (typically within 10 working days).

Step 3: Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)

Once your company has obtained a sponsor license, it can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to you as an employee.

What you need to do:

Ensure the role you’ll fill meets the skill and salary requirements for the visa category you’re applying for (typically Skilled Worker visa)
Conduct a genuine recruitment exercise to demonstrate that your role cannot be filled by a local worker
Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship through the Sponsorship Management System
Pay the Immigration Skills Charge (£364 or £1,000 per year depending on company size)
Ensure the CoS contains all required information about your role, including job description, location, and salary

Important note: The role must be genuine and not created simply to facilitate a visa application. The Home Office looks for evidence that the position is truly needed within the company.

Step 4: Apply for Your Visa

With your Certificate of Sponsorship secured, you can now apply for your visa (typically a Skilled Worker visa, which replaced the Tier 2 General visa).

What you need to do:

Complete the online visa application form
Pay the visa application fee (between £625 to £1,423 depending on circumstances)
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £624 per year)
Provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo)
Submit supporting documents, including:
Valid passport
Evidence of English language proficiency
Proof you meet the financial requirements (usually having at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days)
Professional qualifications if required for your role

Timeline: Standard processing takes around 3 weeks, though priority services are available for additional fees.

Securing your visa is not the end of the journey. Both you and your company must meet ongoing compliance requirements to maintain your status.

Step 5: Meet Ongoing Compliance Requirements

What you need to do:

Ensure your company maintains accurate records of your employment
Report any significant changes to your employment circumstances to the Home Office
Renew your sponsor license every 4 years
Prepare for potential compliance visits
Build your company’s reputation and financial standing
If seeking permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain), ensure your company continues to sponsor you for the qualifying period (usually 5 years)

Pro tip: Consider engaging immigration solicitors who specialize in corporate immigration to help navigate compliance requirements, especially in the early stages.

Final Thoughts
Self-sponsorship offers an exciting pathway for entrepreneurs and professionals to build their careers and lives in the UK. While the process requires significant investment of time and resources, the freedom and opportunities it provides can be well worth the effort.