If you’re thinking of using your own UK business to sponsor yourself (sometimes called “self-sponsorship”), the rules are tightening—and ignorance could be costly. Before you register a company or chase a licence, here’s what’s changed and what you must get right.
What Is “Self-Sponsorship,” Really?
Strictly speaking, there’s no standalone “self-sponsorship visa.” What people call self-sponsorship is usually:
- You run (or intend to run) a UK business
- That business obtains a Sponsor Licence
- The business then sponsors you under the Skilled Worker route.
If you try to use a licence simply to sponsor yourself in a “personal capacity,” that can be refused under the new guidance.
So the business must be genuine—trading, compliant, sustainable—not just a shell to get around employment rules.
What’s Changed in 2025: Tighter Rules & Higher Bars
Here are some of the most important updates to know:
| Change | Details | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Skill / Role Eligibility | From 22 July 2025, jobs must normally be at RQF Level 6 or above (roughly graduate level) to be sponsored under Skilled Worker. | Many roles formerly eligible (lower skilled, part roles) may now be excluded. |
| Higher Salary / Going Rate Thresholds | The Home Office is raising salary floors and updating what is acceptable “going rate” for each job code. | You’ll need to demonstrate your business can reliably pay you (and any staff) at or above those rates. |
| No Sponsorship in Personal Capacity | Licence guidance now states you cannot use a sponsor licence simply to sponsor someone in a “personal capacity” (for example, domestic roles, private employment by an individual). | If your application looks like it exists just to sponsor you personally, it may be refused or your licence revoked later. |
| More Compliance & Proof Required | The Home Office now expects stronger evidence: audited accounts, digital records, HR compliance, business operations, etc. | Weak or superficial documentation is more vulnerable to refusal. |
| Cooling-Off Periods & Refusal Risks | If your licence application is refused, or sponsorship is misused, you may face a cooling-off period (six months or more), during which any new application from that business is automatically rejected. | If your first attempt fails, you’ll need to wait and rebuild—don’t just reapply hastily. |
| New Salary Disallowed Payments Rule | Under a new rule, payments made by the applicant to the sponsoring business (or related entity) may be deducted when calculating “salary.” | You can’t inflate your “salary” by injecting payments or expenses back into the company—only legitimate salary counts. |
| Costs & Fees Rising | Since April 2025, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees increased (from £239 to £525), and visa/immigration fees rose ~7%. | Your business must absorb these costs (you can’t usually pass them entirely to yourself). |
What the Home Office Will Be Looking For
When reviewing a sponsor licence application, the Home Office will typically examine:
- Business viability & trading evidence
(bank statements, turnover, contracts, digital trail) - Offer of a real and needed role
The job must meet skill level, salary, and the “genuine vacancy” test - Organisational structure & compliance systems
Payroll, HR, monitoring, reporting, audit trail - Key personnel fitness
The Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 users etc must have clean records. Even minor offences or unresolved issues may raise red flags. - Non-personal capacity use
The sponsorship must look like business sponsorship—not sponsoring someone just for personal benefit.
If your application reveals that its main purpose is to give you (or your family) a route to stay, without a credible business purpose, it may be refused.
Practical Tips for Nigerians in the UK
- Be proactive: If your visa is nearing expiry (2–3 months out), don’t wait to start preparations.
- Start with a strong business foundation: Get contracts, clients, trading proof before applying.
- Budget properly: You’ll need to pay licence fees, compliance costs, legal costs, etc.
- Choose trustworthy personnel: Your Authorising Officer and key persons must have clean records.
- Don’t rely on injections or fake “salary manipulations” to meet thresholds.
- If refused, wait out the cooling-off period, rebuild your business case, then reapply.
- Explore alternative visa routes (e.g. Innovator/Founder, if applicable) as backup.
Final Word
Self-sponsorship may still be possible—but under much stricter rules than before. If your plan depends on sponsorship through your own business:
- Make sure the business is real, active, and financially healthy
- Don’t treat a licence as a shortcut—misuse can lead to refusal or revocation
- Be patient, deliberate, and ensure your documentation is solid
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