What is Self-Sponsorship?
Self-Sponsorship offers you the opportunity to set up a new business in the UK without the need of a UK sponsor. This approach allows you to enter the UK to work and live by making an application for a Skilled Worker visa via Self-Sponsorship, that is being sponsored by your own UK firm (preferably with the assistance of a UK resident Director).
This self-sponsored Skilled Worker route leads to indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship in the UK. Also, your dependent family can join you under this route.
Who should consider the Self-Sponsorship?
To anyone who satisfies all of the following:
- Someone who is a successful, seasoned and experienced businessperson
- Someone who has a great business idea who wants to explore this business opportunity in the UK, and preferably has qualification(s) within the area of this business
- Someone who has identified a pre-existing UK business to takeover
- Someone with adequate finances to support the proposed business though there is no minimum investment requirement
- Someone who knows a UK resident to take on the role as the other Director initially, and the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer
- Someone who can pass an approved English Language test requirement at minimum B1 level (not required if from a majority English speaking country)
- What is the process of Self-Sponsorship?
To apply for a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker visa, you will need to complete 4 stages:
Stage 1 > Establish a UK company
Your UK company can be registered with the assistance of a qualified UK accountant. The approximate processing timeline is around 8 weeks.
Stage 2 > Apply for a Sponsor Licence
YI Solutions can assist in this process from reviewing your documents for submission to ensuring your proposed business has the appropriate Human Resource policy and procedures in place for sponsoring a Skilled Worker. The approximate processing timeline is between 8 to 12 weeks from the point the company instructs YI Solutions to the decision outcome (using standard processing – priority service may be available).
Stage 3 > Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship
Once the Sponsor licence application is approved, the company will need to request for a Defined CoS. The approximate processing timeline for this is around 5 working days.
Stage 4 > Apply for a Skilled Worker visa
With the approval of the Defined CoS, YI Solutions can support you in this final stage of applying for the Skilled Worker application. The approximate processing timeline for this is around 3 to 4 weeks for application made outside the UK using standard service.
