Self Sponsorship in the UK

Self-sponsorship refers to using your own company to sponsor you through an existing UK visa route, specifically the Skilled Worker visa. You can set up a company in the UK with the intention that it will trade and sponsor yourself as part of the visa application process. However, before you can apply for a skilled worker visa, the company must first apply for a sponsor licence, which requires providing evidence such as a corporate bank statement, Employers Liability Insurance, proof of business premises, and HMRC registrations. The company will also need to employ someone at a relatively senior level to file the sponsor licence application and act as the Authorising Officer and Level 1 User.

Once you have obtained a sponsor licence, you can apply for a skilled worker visa, which requires providing evidence of your certificate of sponsorship reference number, meeting the English language requirements, and having a valid passport or document showing your identity and nationality. Additional documents may also be required, such as evidence of meeting the financial requirement, a tuberculosis test result, or a criminal record check.

Successful self-sponsorship can lead to permanent settlement in the UK, enabling you to apply for indefinite leave to remain and later British citizenship.