What a great idea! With your own UK company serving as your sponsor, the UK Self Sponsorship Visa route provides a way for business owners to enter the UK to launch or join their active UK enterprises.
Although it may appear to be a difficult procedure, knowing the timetable can help to make it rather feasible. Let’s examine how long this journey often lasts.
A number of factors will affect the actual time required, including the level of document preparation you have done and the processing times at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) at the time of your application.
What’s the Overall Timeline?
Generally speaking, the entire process of getting your UK Self Sponsorship Visa, which includes obtaining a sponsor licence and the visa itself, typically takes around 1 to 2 months or 8 weeks. It guides you through every step, from preparing your initial documents to the potential issuance of your visa.
Let’s look at each step in turn to give you a better understanding:
Phase 1: Preparation (approximately one to two weeks)
Prior to starting any official applications, you must arrange your affairs.
This includes:
Company Incorporation:
If you do not already have a business in the UK, you will need to start one. The good news is you can even do this from outside the UK!
There’s no requirement for a director to be a British citizen. This initial step will require some time for paperwork and registration.
Collecting and Preparing Documents:
The creation of documents is a fundamental requirement. For both your sponsor licence and visa applications, a complete and accurate set of supporting documents is necessary and directly influences the processing timeline.
Phase 2: Applying for a Sponsor Licence (Typically 8 Weeks, or 10 Days with Priority)
Applying for a Sponsor Licence from the Home Office is a crucial next step after starting your business in the UK. This demonstrates that your business can support qualified workers, like you.
To hire foreign nationals, UK employers must be on the Home Office Sponsor Licence register.
- The standard processing time for a sponsor licence application is around 8 weeks.
- A priority service that can expedite the decision to just 10 working days is typically available for a fee if you want to move things along more quickly.
When evaluating your application, the Home Office will check that:
- The UK business is genuine and carries out or intends to carry out lawful business activities.
- The UK business has adequate processes and is capable of performing its sponsor duties effectively.
- The UK company has a legitimate position that satisfies the skill level and pay requirements of the skilled worker route.
The company will typically need to provide documents such as:
- A current corporate bank account with a bank that is registered in the United Kingdom.
- Evidence of HMRC registration as an employer for PAYE and National Insurance.
- Evidence of VAT registration.
- Evidence of employer’s liability insurance cover.
- Evidence of business premises ownership or lease.
The specific document requirements can vary. Importantly, there’s no minimum period the UK business needs to be trading to be eligible for a sponsor licence, and no minimum turnover or investment required.
The business also doesn’t need to be innovative or unique.
Phase 3: Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) (Around 1-2 Weeks)
Your business will be able to apply and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the applicant, or you, once your company sponsor licence is approved (congratulations!).
Usually, this takes about one to two weeks. CoS issuance calls for a designated Level 1 user in your company.
To qualify for the self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa, you must have a valid CoS from the firm.
Phase 4: Applying for Your Skilled Worker Visa (Potentially 2-8 Weeks)
With your CoS in hand, you’re now ready to apply for entry clearance (or switch) to a Skilled Worker visa.
This application can be made up to 3 months before your required start date in the UK.
- For applications made from outside the UK, the normal processing time is around 15 working days (roughly 3 weeks).
- For applications made from within the UK, it typically takes around 8 weeks.
- Similar to the sponsor licence, priority and super priority processing may occasionally provide additional payment options.
To apply for a skilled worker visa, you typically need to supply the following:
To successfully apply for a skilled worker visa, you’ll typically need to have: your latest sponsorship certificate, evidence that you meet the English language standards (at least CEFR Level B1, or around Band 4.0 or higher on the UKVI IELTS), proof that you can financially support yourself and your dependents without government help, and possibly a Police clearance certificate or a valid TB certificate from an approved testing facility.
Remember that if you are sponsoring yourself, you can be a director and own up to 100% of the shares in your UK firm. After applying for this self-sponsored skilled worker visa for a maximum of five years, you can eventually gain permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if you pass the Life in the UK exam (unless you are excluded).
Important Things to Keep in Mind:
- Priority Service: Paying for priority services can significantly speed up the sponsor licence application.
- Compliance Checks: The overall timeline may be prolonged if UKVI performs compliance checks on your company.
- Application Accuracy: To prevent delays, make sure your applications are accurate and complete from the beginning.
- Biometric Appointments: You will likely need to attend a biometric appointment as part of the visa application process.
- Dependent Family: Eligible applicants can bring dependent partners and children with them.
Conclusion:
Applying for a UK self-sponsored visa entails several important steps, each of which has a projected time frame.
You may be able to get through the entire process more easily if you are well-prepared, know the steps, and take into account options like priority services, even though it usually takes eight weeks or one to two months. When you are working on your papers, be patient and take your time.
You could achieve your company’s goals in the UK! For a successful visa application, you can contact UK Self Sponsorship Visa Consultant based in India and UK.
