We are proud to share the success story of one of our clients who has now secured Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom. His journey is one we are particularly fond of, because we have walked alongside him through several key stages of it.
From holding a Skilled Worker visa with an external employer, to setting up his own UK company and sponsoring himself through it, to finally settling in the UK permanently, each step required careful planning, and we are delighted to see him reach the finish line.
The Client's Journey
Student Visa Our client first came to the UK as an international student. Like many ambitious students, he was always thinking ahead, looking at how his studies could open the door to a long-term career in the UK.
Skilled Worker Visa: After completing his studies, he secured a role with a UK sponsor and switched onto the Skilled Worker visa. This gave him valuable UK work experience and put him on the qualifying clock for settlement.
Skilled worker visa via Self-Sponsorship:This is where things got interesting. Our client wanted to take control of his career and build something of his own.
He approached NARA Solicitors with a clear vision: set up his own UK company, become its 100% shareholder and in a genuine business owner role, and continue his Skilled Worker journey by sponsoring himself.
We guided him through every part of the self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa process.
The Home Office granted the sponsor licence and his Skilled Worker visa was approved. Our client transitioned smoothly from being an employee of someone else's business to running his own.
Indefinite Leave to Remain Granted: After completing five qualifying years on the Skilled Worker route, our client became eligible for ILR.
We prepared his application carefully, addressing the points the Home Office tends to look at closely in self-sponsorship ILR cases: continuous employment, genuine trading, salary thresholds, absences from the UK, and the English language and Life in the UK requirements.
His Indefinite Leave to Remain application has now been granted. He is no longer subject to immigration time limits and can live and work in the UK without restriction.
Why This Case Matters
Self-sponsorship is sometimes misunderstood. Some people think it is a shortcut. It is not. The Home Office expects a genuine business with a genuine role, and at ILR stage they look back over the full picture, not just the most recent year.
Our client did this the right way. He built a real business, paid himself the correct salary, kept his records clean, and stayed compliant with sponsor duties throughout. That is why his ILR went through.
If you are thinking about moving from an employer-sponsored Skilled Worker visa to your own company, or if you are approaching the five-year mark and want to plan your ILR application properly, we can help.
Whether you are planning your route to settlement, applying for a visa, or dealing with a complex sponsor licence matter, our domain expertise and years of hands-on experience are what make the difference.
How NARA Solicitors Can Help
At NARA Solicitors, we handle the full self-sponsorship journey, including company set-up advice, sponsor licence applications, Skilled Worker visa applications, ongoing compliance, and settlement applications. We have helped clients move from student to ILR through this exact route, and we know what the Home Office looks for at each stage.
If you are facing a similar situation, book a consultation with Nara Solicitors today.
