The UK Self-Sponsorship route has grown in popularity among business owners and skilled professionals who want long-term residence, work freedom, and control over their own career in the UK. Although the term “Self-Sponsorship” sounds like a separate visa category, it is simply a structured use of the Skilled Worker route. You form or acquire a UK company, obtain a Sponsor Licence, and your company becomes the sponsoring employer for your Skilled Worker visa application.
This article explains the full process, requirements, involvement for applicants and businesses, and recent rules for 2025.
What Is the UK Self-Sponsorship Route?
Self-Sponsorship involves establishing or acquiring a UK business, obtaining a Sponsor Licence for that business, issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the business owner, and applying for a Skilled Worker visa using that certificate. The core requirement is that the role sponsored must be genuine, skilled at the appropriate level, and paid at or above the salary threshold set by the Home Office.
This route is commonly used by founders expanding their operations into the UK market, independent consultants relocating for client work, and professionals who intend to grow a business without employer dependency.
How Self-Sponsorship Works in Practice
The structure is simple on paper but involves several compliance steps:
- Create or acquire a UK company
- Apply for a Sponsor Licence
- Assign a CoS to the business owner
- Submit a Skilled Worker visa application
- Enter the UK and meet sponsor compliance duties
The key legal point is that the company must act as a genuine employer and comply with sponsor duties. The Home Office removed the former restriction preventing majority shareholders from being sponsored in their own company. As a result, founders can now apply for the Skilled Worker visa through their own business.
Requirements for Self-Sponsorship
Applicant Requirements
To qualify for the Skilled Worker visa under Self-Sponsorship, the applicant must:
- Be aged 18 or older
- Hold relevant skills and experience for the intended sponsored role
- Have a genuine job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Meet the salary criteria
- Demonstrate knowledge of English to at least CEFR Level B1
- Show financial maintenance if required
- Provide TB test results if applying from a listed country
The English language requirement is set to rise to CEFR Level B2 in January 2026 under current policy commitments.
Business Requirements
The UK business that will act as sponsor must:
- Be registered in the United Kingdom
- Have appropriate corporate structure and bank accounts
- Have HR systems capable of meeting sponsor duties
- Appoint a UK-based Authorising Officer
- Comply with all tax and employment laws
The Home Office assesses the company’s ability to monitor sponsored workers, maintain personnel records, report changes, and remain compliant after the licence is issued. Businesses that lack trading activity, corporate governance, or compliance processes risk refusal.
Eligibility Criteria in Detail
Understanding UK self-sponsorship visa criteria helps applicants and businesses prepare documentation that aligns with these expectations and reduces the risk of refusal based on genuineness or compliance concerns.
Salary Thresholds
In July 2025, the Skilled Worker salary threshold increased to £41,700 or the occupation’s “going rate”, whichever is higher. This removed lower salary bands and raised the bar for sponsor roles. The uplift targeted lower paid and lower skilled categories to ensure sponsored roles align with graduate-level employment.
Skill Level
The skill level for Skilled Worker sponsorship increased to RQF Level 6 from the same policy update. RQF Level 6 corresponds to graduate-level occupations and excludes roles considered administrative, clerical, or routine. Applicants must select an appropriate SOC code consistent with the job description and business operations.
Genuine Vacancy Requirement
The Home Office expects Self-Sponsorship applications to demonstrate that the role is genuine, commercially credible, and suitable for the company’s activities. Fabricated roles created solely for visa acquisition risk refusal and potential compliance action.
Assignment of Certificate of Sponsorship
The company cannot self-assign the CoS. A designated Key Personnel member (distinct from the applicant) must assign the certificate. The CoS will be:
- Defined, if applying from outside the UK
- Undefined, if applying from inside the UK
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Register or Acquire a UK Company
The process begins with setting up a new private limited company or acquiring an existing one. Registration through Companies House typically takes 24 to 48 hours and requires:
- Company structure selection
- Articles of association
- Share allocation
- Registered business address
A UK business bank account must be opened through a UK institution regulated by the FCA and PRA, which can take additional time due to AML and KYC checks.
Step 2: Apply for a Sponsor Licence
The business then submits a Sponsor Licence application online, uploads supporting corporate documents, and awaits assessment. Processing times are typically 12 weeks for standard applications, though a priority service reduces this to approximately 10 working days if available.
During assessment, the Home Office may conduct compliance checks or request further evidence. Licences, if granted, are issued at A-rating.
Step 3: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship
Once the licence is granted, the company requests allocation of a Defined or Undefined CoS through the Sponsorship Management System. The business must confirm the job role, SOC code, salary, and job description. The CoS cannot be assigned by the applicant to themselves.
Step 4: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa
The applicant then submits the Skilled Worker visa application, biometrics, and supporting documents. Requirements include:
- Valid CoS reference number
- Salary verification
- English language evidence
- Financial maintenance (unless exempt)
- TB test (for eligible applicants)
Step 5: Post-Approval Compliance Duties
Once granted, the visa allows the applicant to work for their own company in the role sponsored. The business must comply with ongoing sponsor duties, including:
- Reporting role changes within 10 working days
- Reporting corporate changes within 20 working days
- Maintaining payroll and tax compliance
- Retaining HR records
- Renewing the Sponsor Licence as required
The Home Office can audit sponsor compliance at any time.
Costs Involved in Self-Sponsorship (2025 Figures)
Indicative 2025 fees include:
- Sponsor Licence fee: £574 (small companies and charities) or £1,579 (large companies)
- Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £525
- Skilled Worker visa fee: £625 to £1,423 depending on period of sponsorship
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year
- Additional costs may include:
- Business formation expenses
- Legal or consultancy fees
- Priority processing fees
- Translation and document certification costs
FAQs
Can I apply for Self-Sponsorship without immediately trading in the UK?
A company can apply for a Sponsor Licence before significant trading begins, as long as it has a credible business plan, genuine role for sponsorship, and suitable HR systems. However, the business must intend to trade and employ the sponsored worker. Shell companies with no commercial intent risk refusal.
Does the UK company need to hire other staff besides the sponsored owner?
There is no strict rule requiring additional employees before sponsorship. However, the company must show it has operational needs and the sponsored role is credible. Many companies choose to hire support staff or contractors later as commercial activities expand, which may strengthen the company’s profile during compliance checks.
Can the Authorising Officer be the same person who is being sponsored?
No. The Authorising Officer must be a UK-based individual who oversees sponsor compliance and CoS management. They cannot be the sponsored migrant. Many applicants appoint a trusted UK resident or engage third-party compliance professionals to fulfil this function, provided they meet Home Office suitability criteria.
Can Self-Sponsorship be used for remote work from outside the UK?
No. The Skilled Worker visa is a UK employment route and requires physical presence in the UK to perform the sponsored role. Extended remote work overseas may breach sponsorship rules and affect compliance. Limited overseas travel for business purposes is acceptable if residence and absence limits are maintained.
Can I change job titles within my company after being sponsored?
Changes to job titles, SOC codes, salary, or core duties must be reported through the Sponsorship Management System and may require reassessment. Minor title refinements for branding purposes are usually manageable, but substantive changes affecting SOC codes or skill level can trigger compliance issues or require a new CoS.
