Skilled Worker Visa via Self Sponsorship
If you are planning to start a business in the UK, or already run one here, you may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship.
Self Sponsorship Visa Consultation
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Time: 60 Mins (Over Zoom)
60 minutes @ £100+VAT
Language Options: (English/Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi)
This detailed consultation is tailored to assess your eligibility, your business and guide you through the Self-Sponsorship Visa route.
Please have your questions and relevant information ready. All Bookings are non-refundable.
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Authorised and Regulated
by SRA, England and Wales
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Proven track record in
sponsor license & visa applications
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We are open Mon-Fri
9:00am to 6:00pm, 24/7 in emergency
What is Self Sponsorship Visa?
A self-sponsorship visa is not a separate visa category in the UK. Instead, it is a pathway that allows you to set up or acquire a UK company and then use that company to sponsor yourself for a Skilled Worker visa.
This route is particularly suited to people with business acumen and entrepreneurial drive who want to run their own business in the UK. It offers a way to combine building a company with securing the right to live and work here, without needing a traditional employer to act as your sponsor.
In practice, the process works in stages:
- You establish or buy a genuine UK business.
- That business applies for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence from the Home Office.
- Once the sponsor licence is approved, your company can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for a skilled role within the business. The role must be genuine and clearly connected to the needs of your company.
- You then apply for a Skilled Worker visa on the basis of that sponsorship.
This option is particularly attractive to entrepreneurs and business owners who want to live and work in the UK while running their own company. It offers a degree of independence compared with traditional employment-based sponsorship.
However, the Home Office will carefully examine both the business and the role to make sure they are genuine.
This means your company must be properly set up, legally compliant, and capable of meeting the ongoing duties of a licensed sponsor and wider UK laws.
Can I really sponsor myself for a Skilled Worker visa?
There is no visa in the UK officially called “self-sponsorship”. What this term refers to is using your own UK company to sponsor you under the Skilled Worker route. To do this, you must first set up or acquire a genuine UK business. That company then applies for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Once the licence is approved, your company can assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship for a skilled role in the business, which you use to apply for your visa.
So yes, it is possible to sponsor yourself, but only if both you and your company meet the strict requirements set by the Home Office.
How much does self-sponsorship cost?
Home Office costs for self-sponsorship:
Sponsor Licence Application Fees
- Sponsor licence application fee (small sponsor rate): £574
- Optional priority processing: +£500
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £525 per certificate
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC):
- £364 for the first 12 months
- £182 for each additional 6 months
Skilled Worker visa application fee (main applicant & dependants):
- Outside the UK: £769 for visas up to 3 years; £1,519 for over 3 years
- Inside the UK: £885 for up to 3 years; £1,751 for longer stays
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):
£1,035 per person, per year
*These are official Home Office fees and subject to change through home office notifications, and also do not include legal or advisory fees you may incur with NARA Solicitors.
What are the eligibility requirements for self-sponsorship?
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa via self‑sponsorship, you must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You’re aged 18 or over.
- You have a UK company that is active and genuinely trading.
- Your business has been granted a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
- Your company has issued you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for a skilled role.
- The vacancy is genuine and meets the correct skill level.
- Your salary meets or exceeds both the general threshold and the role’s ‘going rate’.
- The Immigration Skills Charge has been paid.
- You meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1 or higher.
- You can support yourself without relying on public funds.
- You’ve supplied a criminal record certificate and TB certificate, if required.
- Your business must have suitable Key Personnel in place to manage the sponsor licence:
An Authorising Officer who takes overall responsibility.
A Key Contact who liaises with the Home Office.
At least one Level 1 User to manage day-to-day licence duties on the Sponsorship Management System. - Your business has the financial capacity to pay the sponsored role’s salary and meet ongoing obligations.
These remain the core expectations for self‑sponsored visa applicants but not limited to, always seek professional legal advise with authorised solicitors/ consultants.
What’s not required?
Your company does not need to meet any specific requirements around:
• Minimum turnover, total assets, or company age.
• A set number of directors or shareholders.
There is no formal threshold for business size, turnover, or structure when applying for a sponsor licence.
Why this matters
It means even newer or smaller businesses can apply, as long as they can show they’re genuine, trading, compliant and ready to meet sponsor duties. The key is proving the business and the role are genuine, not how big the company is.
Can my dependants join me if I sponsor myself for a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, dependants can usually join you on a Skilled Worker visa obtained through self-sponsorship.
Your partner and children can apply at the same time as you, or later, and their visas will normally be valid for the same period as yours.
Each dependant must pay their own application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. You will also need to show that you can support them financially.
Dependants are generally allowed to work or study in the UK, and after five years may also be eligible for settlement if you qualify.
Note: Whether dependants are permitted depends on the specific job code you are sponsored under. If your role is on the eligible list, then dependants can join you.
FAQs - Self Sponsorship
Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa FAQs
Can I own and run the company that sponsors me?
Yes. You can be both a director and shareholder of your UK company, even holding 100% of the shares, while also being sponsored by that same business for a Skilled Worker visa.
Do I need to show a set amount of investment funds?
No minimum investment is required under the Skilled Worker route. What matters is that your company is a genuine, lawfully operating business and has the resources to pay your salary. Having funds available to grow and sustain the business will, however, strengthen your application.
What kind of businesses are eligible for Sponsor Licence?
There are no restrictions from the Home Office on the type of business or industry that can apply for a sponsor licence. Any UK-registered business may be eligible, whether it is in services, retail, technology, manufacturing, or another sector.
What matters is not the industry, but whether the company can meet the sponsor licence requirements. This includes proving the business is genuine, lawfully operating, and able to comply with the ongoing duties of a licensed sponsor.
Does my business idea need to be innovative?
No. Unlike the Innovator Founder visa, the Skilled Worker route does not require your business to be innovative or endorsed by an external body. Any type of lawful business can qualify, provided it meets the sponsor licence and visa requirements.
Is a business plan compulsory?
A business plan is not strictly required. But it is often very useful to show that your company is genuine, viable, and has a clear path forward. A detailed plan can help the Home Office see that your role is genuine and your company sustainable.
Will I have to pay myself a salary?
Yes. To keep your visa, you must receive a salary from your UK company that meets both the minimum salary threshold and the “going rate” for your job code. The exact figure depends on your occupation and qualifications.
Is there an English language requirement?
Yes. You must demonstrate English language ability to at least CEFR Level B1 (intermediate). You can meet this by passing a Secure English Language Test, holding a degree taught in English, having certain UK school qualifications, or being a national of an English-speaking country.
How long will my visa last?
Your Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years, linked to the validity of your Certificate of Sponsorship. After that period, you can apply to extend it.
Can I do other work alongside my sponsored role?
You must work in the role you are sponsored for, but supplementary employment is allowed if it meets the rules. You must always continue to work in your sponsored job as your main role.
Can self-sponsorship lead to settlement?
Yes. After 5 continuous years in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You will need to meet the salary threshold at the time, continue to work for your sponsoring business, and pass the Life in the UK test (unless exempt).
Client Testimonials
Self-Sponsorship for a Fitness Trainer with the courage to start their own venture in the fitness industry
Recent Success Stories
Care Provider’s Sponsor Licence Reinstated After Revocation
Sponsor licence reinstated following Pre-Action Protocol representations
Sponsor Licence Refusal Overturned through PAP
A special thank you to Anmol, who was absolutely fantastic throughout. Anmol was knowledgeable, patient, and always available to answer my questions and provide reassurance. Their attention to detail and clear guidance gave me real confidence in my application.
I’m extremely grateful for the support I received and would highly recommend Nara Solicitors to anyone looking for reliable and professional immigration advice
I truly appreciate all the effort you put into my case and am very grateful for the successful outcome.
Thank you Ojasvi Bhardwaj for your patience and dedication.
Highly recommended, and a huge thank you to Ipshita and Mr Nara for their professional service — always helpful, supportive, and a pleasure to deal with.
Her passion, dedication, and integrity shine through in everything she does. It is rare to come across someone whose professionalism is so perfectly matched with kindness and compassion. I wholeheartedly wish Alisha and her establishment continued success, fulfillment, and growth.
God bless.
Thank you Alisha for taking your time and energy to ensure that this application was successful. Thank you for your patience and making sure that all questions were answered promptly. It is really appreciated. I strongly encourage anyone that needs a solicitor to go to Nara solicitors! You guys are awesome and we are very pleased.
I’m so grateful to Nara Solicitors for their expert help with my visa application. The team was professional, efficient, and guided me through every step. Thanks to their support, my visa was approved without any issues. Highly recommend their services to anyone needing immigration help and guidance
Nara solicitor Helped me to get my wife’s Visa application sorted from INDIA. Very professional in what they are doing . Our case was a bit complicated. Nara solicitors Guide line and professionalism made our case easy .
Special Thanks to IPSHITA ( Caseworker ) . She is been contacting us on regularly.
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Thanks,
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A special shout-out to Anmol and Samarth for being extremely patient with me. They were both incredibly kind and helped calm my nerves during an anxious time. They are very knowledgeable, supportive, and truly went above and beyond. I am deeply grateful for all their help.
I would 10000000% recommend Nara Solicitors to anyone seeking immigration advice or support.
Sukvinder is a true optimistic person with excellent attitude handling complex issues with patience and professionalism
Parallegal Ojasvi is outstanding she follows right step to achieve the goal
My experience with them is excellent no words to thank them for the service
They prepared a robust and detailed representation within a very short timeframe. Samantha was our caseworker, and he is exceptionally knowledgeable about sponsorship compliance and representation. He remained calm throughout the process, listened carefully to all our suggestions, and even responded to queries during out-of-hours times when needed.
Nara Solicitors truly saved our business, along with the approximately 70 staff members on sponsorship, through their effective representation. Thank you, Samantha, and the entire Nara team for your invaluable help. I wholeheartedly recommend them—100%
The most impressive part was the quick decision, which came within just 8 hours of submitting the application. I truly appreciate their dedication, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
Highly recommend Nara Solicitors to anyone looking for reliable and expert immigration services!
