Self Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa in the UK | Your Company Name
Our experts guide you through every step, ensuring a successful outcome. Start your journey to working in the UK today!
Work in the UK Through Your Own Business
Set up, grow, and work in your UK-based business without relying on external sponsorship
- Sponsor Yourself : Be your own visa sponsor and stay in control.
- Business Growth: Unlock opportunities to grow your UK business
- Hire Global Talent : Attract skilled professionals through a sponsorship licence.
- Pathway to UK Residency : Bring your family and work towards settlement
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be 18 or older to apply for the Skilled Worker visa
- Your qualifications or experience must align with occupations on the UK Shortage Occupation List
- Obtain a valid sponsorship certificate from an approved licencing body
- You must show sufficient funds to support yourself without public assistance
- Meet the CEFR Level B1 English language requirement
- Submit a criminal record check or a TB certificate where applicable
- Ensure your salary meets the threshold and job’s going rate for eligibility.
- Your company must be registered in the UK and have a Skilled Worker sponsor licence."
Application Process for You
To ensure your Skilled Worker visa is approved without any delays, you need to follow this steps. With our support, your licence could be approved in no time. We’ll make sure your application stands out from the crowd.
The timeline for the Skilled Worker visa application process can vary depending on where you are applying from:
- Applying from Overseas: You should typically receive a decision within three (03) weeks of your biometrics appointment.
- Applying from Within the UK (switching or extending): The standard processing time is eight (08) weeks from the date of your application.
The UK Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker visa costs between £464 and £1,408, plus any additional fees. These include:
- Application Fee: The standard fee ranges from £719 to £1,639, depending on the specific circumstances. The fee is lower if the job is on the immigration shortage occupation list.
- Healthcare Surcharge: Typically, £1,035 per year.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for child dependents.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Issue Fee: £199, regardless of the sponsorship period. This fee is non-refundable.
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,000 per year per sponsored migrant worker under the Skilled Worker visa.
As a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker visa holder, you will have several rights in the UK, including:
- Work Rights: You are permitted to work in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship. You can also take on additional work under certain conditions, such as a second job in the same profession and at the same level as your main job, or work up to 20 hours per week in a job in a shortage occupation.
- Study: You have the right to pursue educational courses and training programs in the UK.
- Family Members: You can bring eligible family members (dependents) with you, including your spouse or partner and children under 18.
- Healthcare: You have access to the National Health Service (NHS), although you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.
- Travel: You can travel abroad and return to the UK as long as your visa remains valid.
- Path to Settlement: You may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence in the UK, provided you meet all the requirements.
As a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker visa holder, you have several responsibilities to ensure compliance with UK immigration laws:
- Reporting Changes: You must report any significant changes in your circumstances to the Home Office. This includes changes in your job role, employer, address, or family situation (e.g. if a dependent leaves the UK permanently).
- Compliance with Laws: You must obey all UK laws, including those related to employment, health and safety, and taxation.
- Public Funds: You are not allowed to access public funds such as unemployment benefits, housing benefits, or tax credits.
- Visa Conditions: Ensure you adhere to all the conditions of your visa, such as working only in permitted roles and for the correct number of hours if you take on additional work.
- Leaving the UK: If your visa expires or if your employment ends and you do not secure another sponsored position, you must leave the UK.
It’s important to keep up with these responsibilities to stay legally in the UK, work there, and protect your path to permanent residency.
Our Services
Our immigration solicitors will guide you through the Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker visa process, helping you achieve your career goals in the UK.
Comprehensive Support
- We take care of preparing, submitting, and managing all documentation for applications on your behalf.
- Our experts thoroughly review guidance to ensure all eligibility requirements are fully satisfied.
- We act as a liaison communicating directly with UKVI to represent your interests.
Maintaining Compliance
- We assist with establishing record-keeping best practices in accordance with regulatory standards.
- Our team handles routine checks such as retention of evidence, reporting variations, and audits.
- You receive regular status updates and guidance changes, keeping your organisation up-to-date.
Reporting Duties
- We complete and submit mandatory management reports to the Home Office as required.
- Our thorough service alleviates administrative burdens and minimises compliance risks.
- We offer early identification of potential issues to prevent non-compliance penalties.
- Avail ongoing assistance through application, approval, and beyond for complete support.
Why Choose Us
Choose us because our lawyers will support you throughout the entire immigration process, helping you submit your application with confidence, and look forward to your future in the UK.
High Success Rate
With over 15 years of experience navigating UK immigration programs, we can proudly claim an average success rate of 90% for first-time application approvals for our clients.
Lowest Price Guarantee
We offer affordable, transparent fixed-fee pricing with volume discounts for multiple applications, guaranteeing to match or beat any comparable quote from another provider.
Personalised Attention
Our experienced case handlers are dedicated to your organisation, ensuring quick response times, open communication, and comprehensive support throughout the entire process.
Extensive Expertise
We stay updated daily on policy and procedural changes, providing insights for proactive planning on new requirements, with specialists registered and regulated by OISC.
Common Issues and Solutions
Application Challenges
Potential Hurdles: Applicants may face issues such as incomplete documentation, incorrect form submissions, or failing to meet eligibility criteria.
Our Solutions: Pearson Locke meticulously reviews all documentation, ensures forms are correctly filled out, and verifies eligibility criteria are met, providing detailed guidance to avoid these common pitfalls.
Compliance Issues
Common Problems: Employers often struggle with maintaining accurate records, reporting changes promptly, and adhering to sponsor duties. Our Solutions: We offer comprehensive compliance support, including regular audits, training sessions, and updates on regulatory changes to help clients stay compliant and avoid penalties.
Switching and Extending the Visa
Process for Extending the Visa
If you wish to continue working in the UK beyond the expiry of your current Skilled Worker visa, you will need to apply for an extension. The process for extending your visa involves the following steps.
Complete the appropriate application form online through the UK government’s visa and immigration service.
Gather and submit the necessary documents, such as:
- Your current passport or travel documents.
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
- Provide proof of employment, including job title, salary, and occupation code.
- Evidence of sufficient maintenance funds if required.
- Any other documents specified by the Home Office.
You may need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs).
Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge for the additional period of your stay.
Submit your completed application and supporting documents.
Eligibility for Switching to Other Visa Categories
Under certain conditions, you may be eligible to switch from your current Skilled Worker visa to another visa category without having to leave the UK. Some common visa categories you might switch to include:If you wish to continue working in the UK beyond the expiry of your current Skilled Worker visa, you will need to apply for an extension. The process for extending your visa involves the following steps.
- Innovator Visa: If you have an innovative business idea endorsed by an approved body.
- Global Talent Visa: If you are a leader or potential leader in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology.
- Student Visa: If you wish to pursue a course of study in the UK.
- To be eligible for switching, you must:
- Meet the specific requirements of the new visa category.
- Apply before your current visa expires.
- Continue to comply with the conditions of your current visa until the switch is granted.
Timeline and Requirements for Extensions
When extending your Skilled Worker visa, it’s important to be aware of the timeline and specific requirements:
- When to Apply: You should apply for an extension before your current visa expires, typically within the last sixty (60) days of your current visa’s validity.
- Processing Time: The standard processing time for visa extensions is usually up to 8 weeks from the date of your application. Priority services may be available for faster processing.
- Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for an extension, you must:
- Continue working in the same job role.
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are continuing to do.
- Meet the minimum salary requirements and other conditions of the Skilled Worker visa.
- Provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself, if required.
By carefully following these steps and ensuring you meet all requirements, you can extend your stay in the UK or switch to another visa category, allowing you to continue living and working in the country legally.
At Pearson Locke, we have helped numerous entrepreneurs and aspiring businesses extend their visas and continue growing in the UK. Reach out to us today, and our experts will guide you through the application process so you can focus on expanding your operations.
Dependents and Family Members
Bringing Family Members to the UK
As a Skilled Worker visa holder, you can bring your dependent family members to the UK. This includes your spouse or partner and your children under the age of 18. Family members can join you in the UK for the duration of your visa, allowing you to keep your family together while you work.
Requirements for Dependents
To be eligible to accompany you to the UK, your dependents must meet certain requirements:
- Relationship: You must provide evidence of your relationship, such as marriage or civil partnership certificates for your spouse/partner and birth certificates for your children.
- Financial Requirements: You must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support your dependents without relying on public funds. Each dependent must have a certain amount of money available in addition to the amount you need for your own support. The current requirement is £285 for your partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child..
- Maintenance Funds: These funds must be available for at least 28 consecutive days in your bank account, ending no more than 31 days before the date of the application.
Requirements for Dependents
The process for applying for your dependents to join you in the UK involves several steps:
- Prepare Documents: Gather the necessary documents to prove the relationship and financial requirements. This includes valid passports, proof of relationship, and bank statements showing the required maintenance funds.
- Complete Application Forms: Each dependent must complete a separate visa application form. Dependents will use the UK visa application website.
- Pay Fees: Pay the visa application fee for each dependent, as well as the Immigration Health Surcharge, which grants them access to the National Health Service (NHS).
- Biometrics Appointment: Schedule and attend a biometrics appointment for each dependent to provide fingerprints and photographs. This is required for the visa application process.
- Submit Applications: Submit the completed applications and supporting documents either online or at the designated visa application center.
Once the applications are submitted, processing time can vary. Typically, dependents should receive a decision within three weeks if applying from outside the UK. If the dependents’ applications are approved, they will receive a visa vignette in their passports, allowing them to travel to the UK and collect their Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) upon arrival.
FAQ
What is a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa?
A Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa allows skilled workers to be employed by a company they have set up themselves.
How long does the application process take?
The application process usually takes around three months, from submitting a complete application to receiving a decision.
Questions regarding documentation requirements?
You must provide documents like qualifications, work experience letters, English test scores, and more for your application to be considered.
Who is eligible for the visa?
Skilled migrants fulfilling specific job offers and salary requirements can apply if they have a genuine job offer from their own company.
What are the costs involved in using our services for applying for a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa?
Our fees cover reviewing your application and representing you through the entire Home Office process. Please check our website for current pricing.
How can I check the status of my application through your services?
You can log in to track updates and check the status of your application through our online portal at any time.
What are the reporting requirements once I have the licence?
Sponsors must report to the Home Office in case of any employment change, business change, absences, etc.
How do I renew my Licence?
Details on renewing your Sponsor Licence will be sent several months before expiry. You must renew to continue sponsoring migrant workers.
Free Consultation Offer
Book your free initial consultation now. One of our sponsorship experts will assess your business needs and guide you through the process. It won’t cost you a dime.
Trust our experts to help your business access the global talent it requires. Contact Pearson Locke – we’re here to help you hire from abroad.
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