As the UK continues to open its doors to international business talent, the application for the Self-sponsorship visa UK also increases.
The UK government created this visa as part of its strategy to boost economic growth (through job creation and innovation), attract Foreign direct investment (to ensure they stay competitive in the global space), and to address labour shortages in the country.
The self-sponsorship visa is not a visa type in itself, but just a means of getting the Skilled Worker visa by establishing a legitimate UK business so that you can sponsor yourself.
Although not known by many people, you can establish an innovative business and hire yourself as a skilled worker within your own company. This visa type is becoming more relevant because it forces individuals who need a more flexible and faster residency pathway to find innovative ways to contribute to the UK economy.
It is also an indirect way for the UK government to show that they recognize and value an individual’s creativity and skills, while pushing him/her to use their entrepreneurial abilities and/or qualifications to launch an active UK business.
Examples of self-sponsorship visas that interested individuals can apply for include the UK Global Talent visa, Investor visas, and Entrepreneurial visas. This article will help you understand what the self-sponsorship visa is really about, the types of self-sponsorship visas (with requirements), and legal considerations when applying for this visa in 2025.
Understanding the Spectrum of UK Self-Sponsorship Visas
Seeing that self-sponsorship visas are just a pathway to acquire the Skilled Worker visa, there are different self-sponsorship visa options through which one can achieve that. The options include:
- The Innovator Founder Visa
- The Start-Up Visa
- The Expansion Worker Visa
- The Global Talent Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa
If you are entrepreneur or business owner who reside outside the UK and you have an innovative idea that you think will thrive in the UK, you can enter the UK through this visa and establish, run and manage the business in the UK.
Before now, a minimum investment was required for this visa, however, that does not apply any more. The UK government specifically noted on their official website that the business must be innovative, viable and scalable.
In explaining an innovative business idea, they said it must be different from anything else on the market and not an attache to a business that is already trading. Viability means that it has potential for growth, while scalability means that it will contribute to the UK economy by creating jobs for its citizens/residents and growing into the global market.
If your business idea meets these three requirements, then you need to secure an endorsement from an approved body. You also need to prove English language proficiency or have an official translator if you are not a native English speaker.
After 12 months of coming to the UK, you need to meet your endorsing body to show that you are making progress, and after 3 years, you can re-apply for a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
After 3 years with this visa, you can apply for permanent residency instead. The visa also has other benefits such as allowing you to come with dependents (spouse and children), allowing you to run your business at your own pace and allowing you to be gainfully employed while simultaneously developing your business.
If you are applying for this visa from outside the UK, then it will cost you £1,274, meanwhile, to extend or switch your visa to this visa type from within the UK will cost you £1,590 per person.
The Start-Up Visa
If you are high-potential entrepreneur with an innovative business idea living outside the UK, you can sponsor yourself into the UK using this visa. To qualify for this visa, you must prove that you intend to establish and grow the business in the UK.
Also, you need to be a recent graduate of a higher education institution in the UK and must receive an endorsement from an approved UK body like a university or business organization. Once you’ve secured the endorsement, you need to submit your business plan and idea to the Home Office who will evaluate its innovation, viability and scalability.
Because this visa aims to support entrepreneurs without much funds, there is no need to have a large initial investment. However, you may need to prove that you have enough financial resources to support you and your family during your stay.
You can stay in the UK for two years with this visa; after which, you can switch to an Innovator visa for three years and then and Indefinite Leave to Remain. This visa allows you to take your family (partner and dependent children under 18 years) along.
To secure this visa, you will be required to pay a £1000 endorsement fee during your initial application, an application fee of £1,590 (if you are applying from within the UK) or £1,274 (if applying from outside the UK) and £500 per meeting (for additional mandatory meetings).
The Expansion Worker Visa
If you own a business outside the UK and you wish to start trading in the UK, this visa allows you to send either yourself or an employee to establish a new UK branch or subsidiary of your overseas business.
Originally, this business allows the business owner to bring a key personnel who have worked for the company for at least one year and is already a senior manager or specialist employee.
This means that as the owner of the business, you meet the above criteria and can grant yourself a certificate of sponsorship. Although this business is mainly focused on setting up the new business, you can apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence to sponsor yourself on a long-term basis.
According to the 2025 guide by the Immigration Advice Service on Expansion Worker visa, you must at least pay yourself up to 48,500 pounds annually or whatever is the going rate for the role you occupy.
The Global Talent Visa
If you are a leader or a potential leader in specific fields like engineering, science, medicine, digital technology and arts, you can sponsor yourself with this visa to the UK. Interested applicants need to receive an endorsement from one of the six endorsing bodies approved by the Home Office.
This self-sponsorship visa route have two pathways: the Exceptional Promise for those with developing careers and Exceptional Talent for established leaders and experts. You can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 years for Exceptional Talent and 5 years for Exceptional Promise.
With the Global Talent visa you can live and work in the UK, and also bring your family (spouse and dependent children) along.
