We are proud to share a self-sponsorship success story from NARA Solicitors.
On 17th September 2026, our client, a company incorporated one year ago, received confirmation that its sponsor licence had been granted. The Home Office also allocated a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) so that the company can sponsor its own 49% shareholder as a paralegal under the Skilled Worker visa.
This result came after a full Home Office compliance interview. And it shows that self-sponsorship is still an option for the right business, when it is planned properly from the start.
Background
Our client was in the UK on a Post-Study Work (Graduate) visa. He first came to us to ask about self-sponsorship and whether he could set up a company that would later sponsor him.
We advised him from day one. We explained how to set up the company, what the Home Office expects from a sponsor, and what the business would need to show before applying. He followed that advice from the inception of the company.
The company started trading in March 2025. Once there was real business activity, we prepared and submitted the sponsor licence application.
His visa was due to expire in October 2026, so there was little room for delay.
Our Approach
We were open with the Home Office from the outset. In our legal representations in support of the application, we stated clearly that a 49% shareholder of the company would be sponsored as a paralegal. We did not hide the shareholding or the connection between the owner and the proposed worker.
The application was submitted using the priority service. However, the Home Office took it out of priority because it wanted to carry out a compliance check on the company.
Before the interview, we prepared the Authorising Officer (AO) in detail. We advised the AO on the full compliance process and provided appropriate training on sponsor duties. The company also subscribed to our Compliance Guru software, which acts as the HR system for record keeping. We attached the HR system to the application so the Home Office could see how the company would meet its record keeping duties.
The Compliance Interview
On 16th September 2026, the Home Office compliance officer interviewed the AO. The interview lasted around 50 to 60 minutes. Our solicitor represented the AO throughout.
The officer asked many questions, including:
The company structure and shareholding
Why only the shareholder had been identified as an employee
The genuineness of the paralegal role and its key responsibilities
The company's financial capacity
How the company would meet its sponsor compliance duties
The officer also asked the AO to share his screen and walk through the HR system. The AO showed every section of our Compliance Guru software and explained how the company keeps its records. Because the AO had been trained and the system was already in place, he was able to answer with confidence.
The Outcome
The very next morning, on 17th September 2026, the company received the good news. The sponsor licence was granted and one CoS was allocated for the shareholder. He can now be sponsored as a paralegal in his own company before his current visa expires in October.
What This Case Shows
Self-sponsorship remains a real option under the current rules. A company can still be granted a sponsor licence to sponsor its own shareholder if the vacancy is genuine, the role meets the skill and salary requirements, and the business can show the Home Office that it is trading, has the financial capacity to pay the sponsored worker and can meet its sponsor duties.
What made the difference here was taking advice from the inception, being transparent with the Home Office about the 49% shareholding, having the HR system in place and attached to the application, and preparing the AO properly for a compliance interview that lasted almost an hour and covered shareholding, finances, the role and record keeping.
Also read: Sponsor licence granted for a management consulting business through self-sponsorship
How NARA Solicitors Can Help
At NARA Solicitors, we handle sponsor licence applications, self-sponsorship strategy, compliance audits, AO preparation and Home Office compliance interviews. Our Compliance Guru software helps companies keep the records the Home Office expects to see.
If you are on a Graduate or other visa and want to set up your own company to sponsor yourself, the earlier you take advice, the better your position. Book a meeting with us to discuss your strategy.
If you are facing similar challenges with self-sponsorship or a sponsor licence application, NARA Solicitors is here to help. Our team of experienced solicitors is ready to provide the guidance and support you need to succeed.
Book a consultation with Nara Solicitors today.
