UK Self Sponsorship Visa

UK Self Sponsorship Visa

This Self Sponsorship Visa Route is dealt under the UK Skilled Worker visa. At the first hand; before applying for this visa the applicant has to register the company in the UK, register with HMRC, establish a website, open Business Bank Account and start doing business in the UK online and then apply Sponsorship License on that business.
Once the Sponsorship License is issued; the applicant will get the certificate of sponsorship. Then Applicant will apply his/her visa on the basis of that sponsorship certificate after fulfilling the below requirements of Skilled Worker Visa.

Important to know:

This route is for those entrepreneurs who seek to establish their business in the UK to work for their own business, without the need to have a separate UK sponsor other than the company itself.
This is NOT a route itself but this is a way to get the UK ILR or Citizenship. On this route; the visa is issued following the terms and conditions and Job Contract agreed on. However, this is worth to mention here that this visa can last for up to 5 years.
If the applicant is successful in being approved to come to the UK under the self-sponsorship visa route, he/she might subsequently use it as a platform to secure permanent residency and British citizenship along with the spouse and children under 18.

Tenure of Visa

The Tenure Dependent on the Contract of Employment.

We suggest to have the contract initially for 2 years, get extension for the next three years and then apply ILR after 5 years.

Requirements

To be eligible for a UK Self-Sponsorship visa the applicant must:

  • Register a Company in the UK.

  • Register the company with the HMRC.

  • Open Company Bank Account.

  • Create company website.

  • Get a Sponsorship License (Worker License).

  • Have a valid certificate of sponsorship.

  • Get at least the minimum salary for the type of work you’ll be doing.

  • Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations.

Business Forecast Report -Business Profile/Plan (UK Company)

A comprehensive Business Forecast Report with projections for the next three years; we would suggest to attach with the Sponsorship License application.

Financial Position of the UK Company

A sufficient Financial Position of the UK company must be established through Business Bank Account, Company Financial Reports, Company Financial Projections, that report will be required to attach with the application to get the Sponsorship License.

Maintenance Funds

Maintenance funds are required to be maintained in the bank account of the main applicant for a consecutive period of no less than 28 for Main Applicant, for Partner/Spouse and for First and each additional child.


English Language Requirements

IELTS For UKVI Level B1 should be passed by the Applicant or; the applicant can prove knowledge of English by:

  • Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18

  • Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD


Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

The Employer/parent company outside the UK will issue you the (CoS). Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the role you will do in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document.

You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

Eligibility of Business to get the license

To get a license as an employer, you can’t have:

  • Unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering.

  • Had a sponsor license revoked in the last 12 months.


Sponsorship Management Role

You need to appoint people within your business to manage the sponsorship process when you apply for a license. The main tool they’ll use is the sponsorship management system (SMS):

Authorizing officer

A senior and competent person responsible for the actions of staff and representatives who use the SMS key contact – your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Level 1 User

Responsible for all day-to-day management of your license using the SMS These roles can be filled by the same person or different people.

Level 2 User

You can also appoint an optional Level 2 User once you have your license. This is an SMS user with more restricted access than a Level 1 User, for example they cannot withdraw a certificate of sponsorship.

License Rating

You’ll get an A-rated license if your application is approved. For more information; please speak to our Expert Lawyers.

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