The first thing needed for travel to the UK is a visa. The UK visa types are determined by the purpose and intended length of stay of travellers in the UK.
The UK continues to be a popular choice for the creation and expansion of new businesses. Business visitor visa UK is a boon for such applicants. Your UK business must secure a Skilled Worker sponsor license before you proceed to apply for the self-sponsored skilled worker visa UK.
What is the Self-Sponsorship Visa for the United Kingdom?
UK Self Sponsorship Visa is a pathway for business owners to enter the UK to start their businesses. This pathway not only opens the door to settlement in the UK but also allows eligible applicants to bring along dependent partners and children. The dependent partners can also work full-time.
What requirements must one meet to obtain a self-sponsored sponsorship visa?
The requirements To be eligible to apply for a apply for work visa UK you will need to provide evidence that:
- You are 18 years old
- You have an active UK company
- Your UK company has a Skilled Worker sponsor licence
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from the company in the UK
- The vacancy of your job offer is genuine
- Your role is of an appropriate skill level;
- You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds a general salary threshold
- You meet the English language requirement i.e. at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS Band 4.0)
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a criminal record certificate, if required; and
- You have provided a valid TB certificate if required.
How Does Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa Work?
Step 1: Establish a company in the United Kingdom
To qualify for a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa, you will first need to either register a new company in the UK or have already registered a company in the UK.
Is It Possible to Register an International Business in the UK?
It is possible to register a UK business from abroad. A director of a UK corporation does not have to be a citizen or resident of the UK. All directors of UK firms though, including those who don’t live in the UK, have to fulfil several tasks and requirements.
A non-resident director may designate a UK-based representative if they are unable to carry out their responsibilities, such as attending board meetings or personally signing official documents. You might want to use the services of a qualified company formation agent if you are unfamiliar with UK laws and regulations or the company registration procedure. They can help you through the process and make sure all the requirements are fulfilled. You must also make sure that you abide by all applicable laws and rules in your place of residence regulating the registration of foreign corporations.
Step 2: Apply for a sponsor license
The next stage in getting a skilled worker visa through self-sponsorship is for your UK company to apply for and be approved for a skilled worker sponsor license after registering as a UK company.
The Home Office will need proof that your UK business is a legitimate enterprise conducting lawful business in the UK to grant you a work sponsorship visa.
- Your UK company can efficiently perform its tasks.
- Your UK company is providing legitimate work that satisfies the skilled worker’s wage and skill level standards.
What Requirements Must One Meet To Obtain A Sponsor License?
The Documents required
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Mandatory document:
- Evidence that the business has a current, corporate bank account with a bank registered by the Financial Conduct Authority and the
- Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK
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Plus any three of the following documents:
- Proof that the business has registered with HMRC as an employer for PAYE and National Insurance
- Proof that the business has registered for VAT
- Proof that the business has employer’s liability insurance cover for at least £5m from an insurer authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Proof of ownership or lease of business premises by the business
- Most recent annual accounts of the business.
- Bank statements from a UK-regulated financial institution.
Assigning Essential Roles for the Licence
Once the sponsor licence has been obtained, your business needs to designate key staff to oversee its sponsorship responsibilities. These positions consist of:
Main Contact – The main point of communication between your business and UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration).
Authorising Officer – In charge of the business operations and general adherence to regulations.
Level 1 User – Supervises daily operations regarding the sponsor licence.
To guarantee adherence to the Home Office, the people allocated to these positions must fulfill strict specifications, especially concerning their fitness and immigration status.
Obtaining a business bank account if you do not live in the UK
- A non-UK resident can open a business bank account in the UK, but the requirements and procedures may vary depending on the bank and individual circumstances.
- To open a UK bank account as a non-UK resident, you will need to provide identification documents such as a passport or national ID card, proof of address, and proof of income or funding source.
- Some banks may require you to have a UK address or to be a tax resident in the UK. Some banks may require you to visit a branch in person to open an account, while others may allow you to open an account online.
- It is recommended that you research different banks and their requirements for non-UK residents, and contact them directly to find out what documents and information you will need to provide to open a business bank account. You can also consult a professional who can explain your options and help to ensure that all of the bank’s requirements are met.
Does the UK company need to be in operation for a certain amount of time in order to be eligible for a sponsor license?
Your UK business will need to be registered with Companies House, have a UK business bank account and, in most cases, be registered for PAYE/NI and VAT. It need not be actively trading or have generated any revenue in the UK. It is easier to satisfy the Home Office that your UK business is a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK where:
- You have an existing overseas business that is actively trading and a legitimate business case can be made for establishing a branch of your overseas business in the UK;
- You have a detailed business plan for your UK business;
- You have sufficient investment funds to operate your UK business, particularly any staffing costs;
- You have undertaken some early-stage business activities in the UK such as setting up a functioning website, telephone number and email address.
Step 3: Provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Once your company’s sponsor licence application has been approved, your business will be able to apply for and be then assigned a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Each CoS will have a unique reference number which enables an applicant worker to apply for a self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must include certain mandatory information, including:
- Details of your name, job and salary
- A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date your Skilled Worker visa application
- Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office.
Procedure for Getting a CoS
- Your business must provide an undefined CoS if you are already in the UK.
- Your employer must request a defined CoS if you are applying from outside the country.
Step 4: Submit An Entry Clearance Request For A Skilled Worker Visa
Once a Certificate of Sponsorship has been assigned, you will be able to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa via self-sponsorship.
What conditions must be met to obtain a skilled worker visa?
To sponsor yourself for a Skilled Worker visa, your visa application must demonstrate that:
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship is valid
- Your job offer is a genuine vacancy
- Your job is at an appropriate skill level
- You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds a general salary threshold, the ‘going rate’ for the occupation and a minimum hourly rate (if applicable)
- Your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge
- You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0)
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds
- You have provided a criminal record certificate
- You have provided a valid TB certificate if required
Note
You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. If applying from overseas, you should receive a decision on your self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa application within three weeks. Priority services may also be available. Applicants wanting to visit the UK with their employer can apply for a UK domestic work visa.
The UK visa for care workers is for applicants willing to offer their services as a care worker for a year.