Know Everything About UK Self Sponsorship Visa

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UK SELF SPONSORSHIP VISA
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TABLE OF CONTENT
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WHAT IS UK SELF SPONSORSHIP VISA
Self-sponsorship in the UK is not a visa
category, but this is a pathway for business
owners to enter UK to start or join their active
UK businesses. To start this process, your UK
business must secure a Skilled Worker sponsor
license before you proceed to apply for the
self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa. This pathway
not only opens the door to settlement in the UK
but also allows eligible applicants to bring
along dependent partners and children. Dependent
partners are also allowed to work full time.
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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SELF-SPONSORSHIP
VISA
The requirements to be eligible to apply as self
sponsored skilled worker you will need to provide
evidence that

• You are at least 18 years old
• There is a UK company that is active
• The UK company holds a Skilled Worker sponsor
  licence
• You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from
  the company
• The job offer is a genuine vacancy
• Your role is at the appropriate skill level
• The salary requirements are met
• You meet the English language requirement i.e. at
  least CEFR Level B1 (UKVI IELTS Band 4.0)

The requirements to be eligible to apply as self
sponsored skilled worker you will need to provide
evidence that
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WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE SELF SPONSOR VISA
PROCESS?
Broadly the following steps need to be completed
to apply for self sponsor visa
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STEP 1 INCORPORATE A COMPANY IN UK
The first step in the self sponsorship visa
process is to incorporate a company in the UK or
a company may already have been
incorporated/trading in UK. Can I incorporate a
company in the UK if I am outside the UK? Yes,
you can register a company even if you are
outside the UK. There is no requirement for the
director of a UK company to be British citizen.
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STEP 2 APPLY FOR A SPONSOR LICENCE
Employers in UK who want to employ migrants from
outside the UK are required to be registered on
the Home Office Sponsor Licence register.
What are the requirements for a Sponsor
Licence? Once the UK entity is incorporated the
company can apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor
licence.

• When evaluating an application for sponsor
  licence the Home Office will check that
• The UK business is genuine and is carrying
  out/intends to carry out lawful business
  activities and
• The UK business has adequate processes and is
  capable of performing its sponsor duties
  effectively and
• The UK business has a genuine vacancy which meets
  the salary and skill level requirements of the
  Skilled Worker route.

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STEP 2 APPLY FOR A SPONSOR LICENCE
The company will typically need to provide (at
least 4)

• Current, corporate bank account with a bank
  registered by the Financial Conduct Authority and
  the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK
• Evidence that the business has registered with
  HMRC as an employer for PAYE and National
  Insurance
• Evidence that the business has registered for
  VAT
• Evidence that the business has employers
  liability insurance cover
• Evidence of ownership or lease of business
  premises by the business
• Recent annual accounts of the business
• Evidence of CT600/603 for corporation tax
• UTR number

The specific document requirements will vary
based on the nature of the business.
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STEP 2 APPLY FOR A SPONSOR LICENCE
Opening a business bank account if you are a non
UK resident
It is possible for a non-UK resident to open a
business bank account in the UK, but the
requirements and procedures may vary depending on
the bank and individual circumstances.
Is there a minimum period that the UK business
has to be trading for to be eligible for sponsor
licence?
The Home Office requires that companies applying
for sponsor licence are registered with Companies
House, have a UK business bank account, be
registered for PAYE/NI/VAT. However there is no
requirement for the business to be actively
trading or a minimum period of incorporation.
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STEP 3 ASSIGN A CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP (COS)
Once the companys application for skilled worker
sponsor licence is approved the business will be
able to apply and assign certificate of
sponsorship.
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STEP 4 APPLY FOR ENTRY CLEARANCE SKILLED WORKER
VISA
When an applicant has received the Certificate of
Sponsorship they can then apply for entry
clearance as skilled worker.
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STEP 4 APPLY FOR ENTRY CLEARANCE SKILLED WORKER
VISA
What are the requirements of skilled worker visa?

• In order to apply for skilled worker visa the
  applicant will need to provide
• Valid Certificate of Sponsorship
• Evidence that they meet English language
  requirement at least CEFR Level B1 ( Band 4.0 or
  higher on IELTS for UKVI).
• Evidence that they can support themselves (and
  their dependents) without recourse to public
  funds
• A Police clearance certificate/Criminal record
  certificate (if required)
• Valid TB certificate from approved testing centre
  (if required).
• Application for entry clearance for Skilled
  Worker visa can be made up to 3 months before the
  day you are required to start work in the UK.
• For applications outside the UK, the normal
  processing times are 15 working days, whilst
  applications within the UK are normally decided
  in 8 weeks. Applicants can also pay extra for
  priority and super priority processing where
  available.

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HOW CAN THE SMARTMOVE2UK HELP WITH SELF
SPONSORSHIP VISA?
Our UK visa experts regularly assist new and
established UK businesses to successfully apply
for sponsor licences and then sponsor themselves
to live and work in the UK. We strongly advise
applicants to check their eligibility to apply
under this route or to evaluate suitable
options. Our UK visa experts have been helping
clients for their business expansion to the UK
since 2009. Our UK visa experts are proactive in
understanding and meeting client requirements and
are dedicated to providing clear and reliable UK
immigration advice.