Self-Sponsorship Route

The self-sponsorship route is not a separate Home Office visa; rather it is the strategy of using the Skilled Worker visa via your own UK company. In practice, this means an entrepreneur establishes or acquires a genuine UK business, obtains a Skilled Worker sponsor licence for that company, and then the company issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to employ the entrepreneur in an eligible role. Effectively, you “sponsor” yourself as an employee of your UK company. This pathway allows qualified business owners to live and work in the UK, ultimately leading to permanent settlement after the required period.

This route is open to entrepreneurs and business leaders who are:

• Starting a new UK venture: Registering a new company in the UK and planning to work full-time in it.
• Joining an existing business: Becoming employed (e.g. as a director) in a UK company capable of sponsoring you.
• Acquiring a UK business: Buying or investing in an existing UK company and then taking a paid role in it.

In all cases, the UK business must be genuine and active, with a legitimate structure and proper records. The Home Office will expect credible business plans, bank statements, and proof of ongoing trading to show the company is real and can employ you.

To use self-sponsorship, the entrepreneur and company must meet the normal Skilled Worker visa criteria, including:

• UK Company Sponsor Licence: The UK company must obtain a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence from UKVI.
• Genuine Job Offer: Your company must offer you a genuine full-time role at an eligible skill level.
• Salary and NMW: You must be paid at least the minimum salary for that occupation (the “going rate” or £41,700, whichever is higher, as updated in July 2025).
• English and Maintenance: You must meet English language requirements and have personal savings to support yourself.
• Immigration Skills Charge: The company must pay the Immigration Skills Charge when assigning your CoS.
• Certificates and Fees: You will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship and must pay the visa application fee and healthcare surcharge.

All steps involve official fees and some time:

• Sponsor Licence fee: £536 (small company) or £1,476 (large company).
• Immigration Skills Charge: £364-£1,000 per sponsored year, paid when assigning the CoS.
• Visa application & healthcare surcharge: Several hundred pounds for the visa, plus £624 per year for the health surcharge.
• Processing Times: The licence application usually takes up to 8 weeks, and the visa application is typically 3–8 weeks.

The Skilled Worker self-sponsorship route is a clear pathway to long-term UK residence. The route explicitly leads to settlement. After 5 years on the route, you can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain, and eventually British citizenship if desired. Your dependants can also settle after the same period.

However, success depends on precision and compliance. The Home Office monitors sponsor licence holders closely. Failure to meet sponsor duties can lead to licence downgrade or revocation.

Lexington Ashworth Solicitors is a Manchester-based SRA-regulated law firm specialising in business immigration. Our immigration lawyers have nationwide experience advising entrepreneurs on complex routes like self-sponsorship. We understand the Home Office’s expectations and bring the insight to plan your case effectively.

If you are an entrepreneur or business owner considering the self-sponsorship route, contact Lexington Ashworth Solicitors today. Our Manchester immigration lawyers are ready to explain the process, answer your questions, and provide a bespoke plan.