If you are an entrepreneur from outside of the UK who would like to come to the UK to live and work, you may have investigated the various potential visa routes, only to find that none of them is truly a good match for your requirements. If this is the case, you may be considering relocating your business to the UK to take advantage of the favourable business climate. If this describes your circumstances, you may have excellent grounds to consider applying for a visa to the United Kingdom that you will self-sponsor.

There aren’t all that many individuals who are aware of the self-sponsorship visa path for the United Kingdom. However, in recent years, this category may have become more relevant for a great number of businesspeople who have an interest in relocating to the UK.

Many business owners may have the impression that their opportunities to migrate to the United Kingdom have been considerably limited as a result of recent actions taken by the government of the United Kingdom to restrict the Investor and Sole Representative visa pathways. However, for those individuals whose requirements are not adequately met by the conventional visa choices, the UK self-sponsorship visa may be a good alternative avenue that may be pursued.

Who is eligible for Self-Sponsorship?

The Self-sponsorship path can be appropriate for you if you are a successful businessperson who has found a business opportunity or has a brilliant business concept and wants to investigate your chances in the United Kingdom. With self-sponsorship, you may live in the UK without worrying about losing your visa while simultaneously managing, operating, and maintaining your business there.

The following qualifications must be fulfilled to qualify for self-sponsorship:

• Possesses a business concept or has found an existing UK company to take over.
• Have knowledge, expertise, or certification in the area of the business they desire to launch.
• Has the resources to support its anticipated UK business.
• Please remember that there are no minimum or maximum investment requirements for your business endeavour. Depending on your company’s demands, it might range from £25,000 to more than £50,000.
• A UK resident must assume the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer.
• Meets the Home Office language requirements by being able to sit for and successfully complete a Level B1 English language exam.

How to Submit a Self-Sponsored Visa Application?

A self-sponsorship visa application consists of three steps. Smaller business owners can establish or acquire a company in the UK, register it with the government agency that issues sponsorship permits, and then use the permit to submit an application for a Skilled Worker visa.

Establishing a business in the UK and applying for a sponsor licence, which enables you to sponsor an overseas worker on a Skilled Worker visa, are the initial steps. Then you are free to employ yourself as your company’s knowledgeable employee. You will essentially be supporting yourself by coming here and working for yourself. The procedure complies with all laws and regulations.

The next stage is to apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence to the UK Home Office once the UK company is operational. A firm must meet certain criteria to succeed. For instance, the company must have created crucial policies and procedures. To ensure a smooth transition, the self-sponsorship visa application should be carried out with the guidance and support of a UK legal practitioner.

The next step is to recruit yourself via your own company and submit an application for a skilled worker visa based on the job offer after your UK firm has been granted a Sponsor Licence. To qualify for a skilled worker visa, you must meet several criteria, including those relating to education level, wage, and English language proficiency. If you achieve these requirements, you will be qualified to work for your UK company and benefit from the growing economy of the nation.

Processing time for self-sponsorship visas:

Creating a corporation in the UK and applying for a sponsor licence is the first step.

A licenced UK accountant will be able to assist you with registering your UK firm.

Stage 1: You must first choose a Director who is based in the UK if you don’t live there. You could own majority ownership in a UK-based business and hold positions like managing director, director of operations, or anything else you need to run your business.

It will take 6 to 8 weeks to complete this process.

Stage 2: Prepare and provide your UK organisation with a human resources package.

As part of the sponsor licence application process, you must confirm that your organisation has the necessary procedures and policies in place to sponsor you as a skilled worker. It should take two days.

Stage 3: Next is to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship and apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. After your UK firm’s Sponsor licence has been approved, you will require a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship. It can take between 4 and 12 weeks. The validity of the visa is between three and five years once it has been approved.

Benefits of Self-Sponsorship Visas

A good substitute for conventional UK visas is a self-sponsorship visa because it has fewer restrictions and application requirements. In addition to giving business owners the chance to become British citizens, it gives foreign companies access to the British SME market. Under this policy, there are no limitations on the kind of business that may be carried out in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, you can own 100% of your company and serve as its director in the UK; there is no requirement for a minimum or maximum investment.

Possibilities for citizenship and residence

Many business owners may wonder if becoming eligible for a Self-sponsorship visa would eventually result in obtaining British citizenship. Definitely. You could be qualified for UK residency after five years, and after six years, you might be qualified for British citizenship. You are allowed to travel with your spouses and minor children.

Why should you pick A Y & J Solicitors to help you?

Foreign nationals are legally permitted to establish businesses in the UK, but they must do it with the assistance of a licenced UK immigration lawyer since certain requirements must be completed.

Although the self-sponsorship route is not well recognised, our knowledgeable immigration lawyers at A Y & J Solicitors have been using it for more than 13 years. Our multi-award-winning, specialised law practice ensures total “hand-holding” assistance, resulting in peace of mind, clarity, and a superior result. All facets of sponsorship are covered by our services.