Self-Sponsorship Process & Requirements in the UK

T2S Management Ltd has received numerous queries from talented people across the globe who aspire to work in the UK, but have difficulties in finding a sponsor. We would like to tell you that there’s another way that you can fulfil your career in the UK without relying on others. You can be your own sponsor, sounds exciting!

All you need to do is to set up a business in the UK and apply for a sponsor licence to sponsor yourself.

Previously, if you held more than a 10% shareholding of the company, you couldn’t apply for a Tier 2 visa. However, since the Skilled Worker Visa scheme replaced the Tier 2 visa (Dec 2020), there are no restrictions on shareholdings anymore. This means you can come to the UK as a Skilled Worker even if you are the only shareholder.

Who is suitable for the Self-Sponsorship route?

• You have a company in the UK; or
• You’ve purchased a business in the UK, and you have sufficient resources (skills and finances) to support your business in the UK; or
• You are planning to set up a business in the UK, and have the financial ability to do so.

What are the business requirements for the self-sponsorship route?

• There are no restrictions on the type of business for a self-sponsor, as long as it’s a legal business in the UK. You can open a coffee shop, restaurant, tech company etc.
• Unlike the Start-up Visa, you’ll need a business idea that needs to be different from any others in the market. You also need to have an endorsing body (universities, trusts, governing bodies) to approve your business idea.

Are there any financial requirements for the self-sponsorship route?

• There’s no exact number required for how much money you need to have for your business. As long as you have sufficient funds to support the establishment of the business.

How does it work?

• First, set up a company in the UK
• Apply for a sponsor licence
• Get the sponsor licence and sponsor yourself

What do you need?

• A business in the UK
• The documents required for the Sponsor Licence application
• An Authorising Officer in the UK
• A robust HR system

What’s the procedure of Self Sponsorship?

In summary, the procedure is to set up a business and apply for a sponsor license for your business and then sponsor yourself as a skilled worker.

You can follow our step-by-step guide as below.

Step 1: Establish a business in the UK

To know how to start a business in the UK, please read the UK government website here.

Step 2: Apply for a Sponsor License

There are certain documents required for a sponsor license application, you’ll need a minimum of 4 of the following:

• Minimum 1-month business bank statement
• Copy of lease OR freehold OR tenancy agreement
• Employer liability insurance certificate (minimum employee cover £5 million)
• PAYEE OR Account Office reference letter from HMRC
• Copy of regulatory approval, i.e., Health & Safety star rating for food business, ACCA, SRA
• VAT Certificate (if registered)
• SIGNED Annual accounts (if the business is over 18 months old)

Step 3: Appointing an Authorising Officer

You must appoint an Authorising Officer (AO) during the application stage.

The person needs to be your employee whom the Home Office will contact regarding the application. Any suitable employee for this role, such as managers/directors, or employee with good communication skills who has knowledge of this application.

It is better to appoint someone who is a British citizen or someone who has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK to act as your Authorising Officer.

Step 4: Have a robust HR system in place

As a mandatory requirement for sponsor licence applications, you must have a robust HR system in place to prove that you are able to comply with the sponsor duties for your skilled workers.

If you don’t have an HR system, T2S Management Ltd provides a one-stop solution, namely WpcHr software which is designed around the sponsor licence guidance from the Home Office. We have hundreds of clients who have managed to comply with the rules and have been issued with their licences and visas using our bespoke HR software.

Step 5: Getting your Sponsor Licence

It usually takes around 8 weeks to get a decision from the Home Office.

However, it might take longer if the Home Office wants to conduct further checks on your business or wants to visit your company address. If you need assistance for preparing a Home Office visit, please contact us.

Step 6: Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a skilled worker

After your licence is granted, you are able to assign a CoS to an employee of the company that you wish to sponsor. For more info about CoS please click here.

As there are no restrictions for the shareholdings of a skilled worker, you can assign a CoS to yourself, so that you can use the CoS to apply for a skilled worker visa. T2S Management Ltd can assist you with the CoS allocation and visa application.

Step 7: Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa

After you have assigned the CoS to yourself, you can use the CoS to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. This Visa allows you to work in the UK legally.

There are documents required for applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, please click here for more information.

How can T2S Management Ltd assist in your Self-Sponsorship journey?

We can:

• Introduce you to business partners to help you set up a company such as, but not limited to, accounting firm, website development team, sales/marketing recommendation
• Provide advice on company business plan preparation
• Provide guidance on opening a business bank account
• Provide immigration advice on UK sponsor licence and work visa applications
• Prepare your company sponsor licence application bundle
• Provide advice and assist in preparing your company HR files
• Provide training for your Authorising Officer
• Prepare your Skilled Worker Application bundle Offering comprehensive, step-by-step guidance throughout your UK immigration journey.