Navigating the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa Requirements: A Checklist

Pursuing the Self-Sponsorship Visa in the United Kingdom requires thorough research and a strategic blueprint to follow ahead in this unique route to immigration, which allows individuals to set up their own business in the UK and, in turn, sponsor themselves for a Skilled Worker visa to access the smoothest path to residence and employment within the country. The success of an application here is contingent upon a complete understanding and exact compliance with a complete range of Self-Sponsorship visa requirements.

This useful checklist lays out a step-by-step approach for hopeful applicants to overcome this complicated road and ensure every small detail is taken care of. Going through the points stepwise increases the possibility of a successful outcome of the application for the Self-Sponsorship visa UK, which would, in turn, allow one to realise their entrepreneurial dreams in the UK. 

Securing Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Securing the very first actionable step in your individual application for a Self-Sponsorship visa UK entails the acquisition of a viable Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS itself is not a physical document but an electronic record issued by a UK company that should already hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. The CoS, so to speak, serves as the official word of your sponsoring entity (i.e., your own business), that a legitimate job offer exists for you in that business. 

Important data with regard to your job will be enumerated on the Certificate of Sponsorship:

• The exact job title.
• The appropriate Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. 
• The salary is proposed for a minimum of one year.
• The employment commencement date.

Meeting Job Offer Criteria

With the acquisition of the CoS, it becomes obligatory to also ensure the job offer itself meets the criteria for the Skilled Worker visa as well as the following critical considerations:

Appropriate Skill Level: The role to be performed must be of an appropriate skill level, done at least at RQF Level 3 or above, normally referred to as Level 3, ie A level qualifications or Home Office has clearly made available the list of qualifying occupations and their respective SOC codes, and your role runs parallel to any of that.

Genuine Vacancy: The term “genuine vacancy” must hold utmost importance. The Home Office would investigate whether the job exists in reality, whether it is required for running the daily business operations, and whether the job description is not blown out of proportion or exactly fabricated for immigration purposes.

Salary Threshold: The proposed salary must meet the general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa, which is currently £38,700 per year or the “going rate” for the particular SOC 2020 occupation code, whichever is higher. 

Demonstrating English Language Proficiency

Another circumstance that must not be negotiated for a self-sponsorship visa is to show your English language skills. You must show that you can read, write, speak and understand English at least to level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

The requirement can be satisfied in one of the following ways:

Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT): This is most commonly done from the approved provider, IELTS for UKVI. You must score a minimum of 4.0 for each of the four components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Holding a Degree Taught in English: If you hold a degree-level academic qualification that was taught or researched in English, this requirement may not usually apply to you, provided Ecctis (the UK agency for evaluating overseas qualifications) confirms that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD. 

Nationality Exemption: Nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries are, in any case, exempt from this particular requirement.

Remember to ensure that any English language evidence you provide is recent and meets the specific requirements set by the Home Office.

Strong Evidence   

It is a crucial part of the Self Sponsorship visa requirements to prove self-maintenance financially. The indication should prove that you are capable of supporting yourself without recourse to public funds in the UK. 

The current maintenance requirement states

• At least £1,270 should be available in your bank account. 
• This amount must have been withheld for a minimum of 28 days, with the 28th day falling within 31 days of submitting your visa application. 
• Proof will be provided in the form of bank statements. 

Alternatively, your sponsoring company shall maintain you on your Certificate of Sponsorship so that it will incur your expenses within the required amount during your first month in the UK.

Collecting Relevant Documents 

It requires a lot of time spent collecting supporting documents for Self-Sponsorship visa UK. You have to collect a complete dossier, which includes: 

• Current passport or travel document(s). 
• Reference number on the Certificate of Sponsorship. 
• Proof of proficiency in the English language, either through SELT results or an ECCTIS statement. 
• Bank statements evidencing sustenance (if not sponsor-certified). 
• Criminal record certificate (if required). 
• TB test certificate (if required). 
• Marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for children for dependents with you. 

Addressing Health and Character Requirements 

Addressing the requirements for a criminal record certificate and a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate is a very important step. 

Criminal Record Certificate: This will be required if the application is made outside UK borders and the applicant would work in certain fields of work such as education, health, and so on. You are required to submit a certificate from any country where you have lived for about 12 months or more within the last 10 years, from the age of 18. Thus, it can help prove the good character for entry to the UK. 

Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate: It is a must-have to get a visa to the UK if the stay is above six months and you’re a resident of or have previously resided in the countries that the British Government classify as having a high prevalence of tuberculosis. This must be carried out at a Home Office-approved clinic and requires submission of a certificate declaring you free of lung TB with your application.

Get professional legal assistance

It is overwhelming sometimes to think about all those requirements one needs to fulfil to get a self-sponsored visa for the UK, but having a clear, step-by-step checklist enables applicants to steer their way very easily through the myriad processes. With a self-sponsorship visa UK, an incredible opportunity opens up. A Y & J Solicitors will provide the richest support to navigate the self-sponsorship process and ensure a smooth and successful application for those looking for such expert services in the complicated self-sponsorship visa requirements.

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience in assisting with self-sponsorship visa requirements. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us at +44 20 7404 7933. We’re here to help!