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Self-Sponsored Visa UK:

Helping Business Professionals Achieve Permanent UK Residency

Our Self-Sponsorship Visa UK Lawyers Will Review Your Qualifications, Skills and Experience to Determine the Best Approach for a Successful Application

Discover a Streamlined UK Self-Sponsorship Visa Route

Starting or bringing a business to the UK when you’re not a citizen can be incredibly complex. And, unfortunately, a stellar idea isn’t enough to grant you citizenship. But trying to figure things out on your own (when you’re also wearing the many hats of an entrepreneur) only leaves you exasperated. You want to gain a sense of freedom knowing you won’t lose your hard-earned visa — and that’s where our team can help. We’ll ensure you can start a business in the UK or extend your present foreign operation here without any legal headaches.

FREE Self-Sponsorship resource pack

Ready to Secure Your Self-Sponsorship UK Visa? Discover the key to your successful self-sponsorship journey with our exclusive resources:

We Make the Self-Sponsorship UK Process Easy

At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we’ve helped thousands of new and experienced business owners move to the UK from around the world. We understand the typical challenges that come along with your visa application for self-sponsorship UK and know how to mitigate them. We walk you through step by step, showing you how to self-sponsor a work visa in the UK. Instead of going it alone, let our lawyers take the weight off your shoulders, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to bring your business (and family) to the UK.

Whatever Your Immigration Challenge – We Can Help You

We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the British system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality, and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.

 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Self-sponsorship UK is open to anyone who satisfies all of the following:

  • Has experience OR skills OR qualification(s) within the area of the business they want to establish
  • Has a business idea or has identified a pre-existing UK business to takeover
  • Has adequate resources to support their proposed business in the UK

Please note, there is no minimum or maximum investment required for your business venture. It depends on your business need and may range from £25,000 or more.

  • Ideally, has a person who is settled in the UK or a British citizen to take on the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer
  • Has the ability to sit and pass an approved English language test at Level B1 (if required)

Please note that B1 CEFR in reading, writing, speaking AND listening is the minimum level of English language required for the visa.

Stage 1 – Establish a UK company, and apply for a Sponsor Licence

With the help of a registered UK accountant, your UK company can be registered.

Note: If you are a NON-UK resident, you will be required to appoint a UK-based director initially.

Timeline: Approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

Stage 2 – Create and provide your UK company with a human resources pack

As part of the process of applying for a sponsor licence, you must ensure that your company has the necessary policy and procedures in place to sponsor you as a skilled worker.

Timeline: Approximately two days.

Stage 3 – Be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship, and we will assist you with the Skilled Worker Visa

Upon the approval of your UK company Sponsor licence, you will require a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship.

Timeline: Approximately 4 to 12 weeks.

The self-sponsorship method may be the best approach to work and live in the UK if you want to start a business there or extend your present foreign operation to the UK. It is crucial to remember that there isnt a real Self Sponsorship Visa” — the term “Self Sponsorship” refers to a strategy to enter the UK under the Skilled Worker Visa category through sponsorship by your own business. The Self-Sponsorship Visa UK will enable you to establish a UK company that will sponsor your entry and employment in The UK (with the assistance of a UK Resident Director). You can own shares in the business, and there is no minimum investment requirement.

One of the most significant benefits of self-sponsorship UK is that it enables business owners to run and manage their own companies in the UK without worrying about their sponsorship being cancelled by an external employer who no longer requires their services as an employee.

This visa option is best for seasoned business people or someone who has researched the UK market and might have seen a chance to launch a new company here. In order for your Company to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, you must first get a Sponsor Licence.

Anyone who satisfies the qualifications below is eligible for self-sponsorship:

  • The applicant should possess some knowledge, skill, or qualification in the industry where they want to launch their firm.
  • The candidate must have a business concept or have found an existing company in the UK that they want to grow.
  • The applicant must possess the financial resources to run their desired company in the UK
  • Please note that there is no minimum or maximum investment amount that must be made in your business endeavour. Depending on your company’s demands, it might go as high as £25,000.
  • The applicant can appoint someone who is both settled in the UK (for example, a British Citizen or someone with ILR) and who is also a resident of the UK, who can fulfil the duties of the Authorising Officer.
  • The applicant must take and pass an approved Level B1 certified English language test (if required)

Your UK company will be required to provide a minimum of four supporting documents showing the Company’s lawful presence in the UK, which can include (but are not limited to)

  • Most recent UK bank statement
  • Employer’s Liability Insurance certificate
  • VAT certificate
  • HMRC document(s) showing PAYE and Accounts Reference Number
  • An organisation chart – showing the current staff and vacancies.
  • A letter confirming various details about your company, such as business services, operating hours, the vacancies you have, your (future) role and the salary you will be paid.

Other information

It is advisable for the UK company to have the following:

  • A functional website (if applicable)
  • A company email address
  • A business plan, if the business is in the early stages

Stage 2 – Create and provide your UK company with a Human Resources pack

As part of the process of applying for a Sponsor Licence, you must ensure that your company has the necessary policy and procedures in place to sponsor you as a skilled worker.

Timeline: Approximately two days.

Stage 3 – Be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship and we will assist you with the Skilled Worker Visa

Upon the approval of your UK company Sponsor Licence, you will require a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (if you are applying from outside the UK) or an Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship if you are switching visa from inside the UK.

Timeline: Approximately 4 to 12 weeks.

The Sponsor Licence is valid for 4 years. At the end of the 4 years, a renewal application will need to be made to the Home Office. As long as you have an active/trading business, you can retain the sponsor licence. If the business were to stop trading altogether, then you would be required to surrender the sponsor licence. If you lose or surrender your licence you would need to switch your immigration category to continue to live and work in the UK.

The company must always have an active Authorising Officer as a sponsor duty. If the current Authorising Officer leaves, you will be required to replace the Authorising Officer (AO) with another eligible employee or post-holder, or face revocation of the licence by UKVI.

Yes, you can have 100% of the shares, and you could be the Director.

You may be one of the majority shareholders in the UK business, and the job title may range from Managing Director, Director of Operations, and any other relevant role you may take to run your business.

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