Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa

• Own Company as Sponsor: Your UK company assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship. You then apply for the Skilled Worker visa using that CoS reference. All normal Skilled Worker rules apply. The difference is that you own/control the sponsoring employer. The Home Office will expect a genuine job role within your company that you will fill.
• Job Requirements: The position must be at RQF Level 3 (A-level) or above, and meet salary requirements. The current minimum salary is £38,700 (or the going rate), rising to £41,700 from July 2025. Your company must demonstrate that this is a real vacancy and not just created to get a visa. (For example, showing recruitment advertising or its role in the business plan helps.)
• Visa Application: You apply online for the visa after getting the CoS. Key documents include: the CoS reference number, a valid passport, proof of English ability, and any required supporting evidence (for example, a Tuberculosis test certificate if your country requires it, or a criminal record certificate for certain roles). You pay the visa application fee and IHS at this stage. The application is typically processed in about 3 weeks (if submitted from overseas) or about 8 weeks (if extending from within the UK).
• Duration and Settlement: Skilled Worker visas can be granted up to 5 years at a time. Importantly, after 5 years of continuous residence under this visa (meeting all conditions, including salary and employment continuity), you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This is the pathway to permanent residency and eventual citizenship. (Note: recent Home Office proposals may allow up to 10 years to reach ILR, but the 5-year route still applies as of now.)
• Dependants: As a Skilled Worker visa holder, you can bring eligible dependants (spouse/partner and children under 18). You must meet additional funds requirements to support them. The actual cost of their applications is separate (fees and IHS per person).
• No Separate Employer Needed: The main advantage is that no external employer is involved. You run the business and also work for it. This gives you full control, but also means your business must meet all employer duties (paying salary, carrying out right-to-work checks for yourself and any future workers, etc.).

In effect, once your company is set up and licensed, obtaining the self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa is a matter of submitting a straightforward visa application with your company’s CoS. It carries the same rights and responsibilities as any Skilled Worker visa (e.g. ability to work, access public funds restrictions, etc.). Make sure to comply fully throughout – after the visa is granted, your company must keep following sponsor duties and you must maintain the qualifying employment for ILR.

Key tip: Keep detailed records at each step, and consider professional help. Solicitors and immigration advisers can prepare the licence application package and guide you through the interview stage.