If you wish to set up a Business in the UK or if you wish to expand your current overseas business to the UK, the Self Sponsorship route is the ideal way to work and live in the UK. It is important to note that there is no official visa called the ‘Self Sponsorship Visa’ but rather a route to enter the UK under the framework of a Skilled Worker Visa category. This route is designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, or highly skilled individuals (with the help of a UK resident Director) who establish and run their own business in the UK. Rather than being sponsored by an external employer, applicants use their own company as the sponsoring entity. Unlike the Innovator Visa, there is no minimum investment required into the business and you can hold shares in the company.
This route is ideal for experienced business entrepreneurs or someone who has explored the UK business space and found an opportunity to set up a new business here. Your UK business will need to obtain a Sponsor Licence which will then allow the company to sponsor you.
This visa pathway is attractive for those looking to have more control over their work and immigration status, allowing them to leverage their entrepreneurial ventures for residency and work purposes in the UK.
What is Self-Sponsorship?
Self-sponsorship is a UK immigration strategy where an individual sets up their own UK-based company, obtains a Sponsor Licence for that company, and then uses the licence to sponsor themselves for a Skilled Worker visa. This enables migrant workers to work for their own business and manage its growth in the UK without depending on a traditional employer.
To qualify, the business must:
- Be registered with Companies House and established as a UK-based private limited company.
- Hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office.
- Demonstrate a credible business plan that shows commercial potential and financial stability.
- Appoint settled Key Personnel such as an Authorising Officer and Level 1 User to manage the licence under the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
- Meet Skilled Worker visa requirements, including the job role, salary threshold and, meeting the english language requirement.
Unlike the abolished Start-up visa or Innovator routes, self-sponsorship does not require endorsement from an innovation body. It gives overseas professionals more flexibility to establish a genuine business in the UK, provided they can prove they are capable of running and managing it responsibly.
Who is Self-Sponsorship Relevant For?
The self-sponsorship route is ideal for overseas individuals who want to establish or expand their own business in the UK without relying on a UK employer to sponsor them. It offers flexibility and control, making it suitable for a wide range of business types and professionals.
This route is particularly relevant for:
- Entrepreneurs and business owners who wish to set up a new private limited company or expand an existing overseas business into the UK market.
- Skilled professionals such as consultants, engineers, accountants, IT specialists, and healthcare experts looking to work independently through their own UK company.
- Owners of SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) who want to open a UK branch or subsidiary to manage operations locally.
- Retailers, restaurant owners, and hospitality professionals seeking to open a UK-based outlet under their management.
- Service-based business founders including marketing agencies, recruitment firms, legal consultancies, and training providers looking to build a UK presence.
In short, self-sponsorship enables genuine businesspeople and skilled professionals to work in the UK for their own company, provided they meet the sponsor licence requirements and can prove the business is credible and compliant.
By following this route, applicants can work in the UK, hire sponsored employees, and eventually progress towards indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship.
