Interest in “self-sponsorship” has surged since Brexit, as entrepreneurs seek post-2020 routes to live and work here. In plain terms, this means either forming your own UK company and sponsoring yourself on a Skilled Worker visa or launching an endorsed innovative startup under the Innovator Founder visa. July 2025 rule changes have raised the bar for the Skilled Worker visa. Most Skilled Worker visa roles now need to be at RQF Level 6 (graduate-level) with the standard salary threshold set at £41,700. In parallel, the Innovator Founder route targets innovative, scalable businesses and can lead to settlement (ILR) in 3 years.
This guide compares the two paths, covering eligibility, costs, ILR timeline, required investment and risks, so you can decide which best fits your experience and goals.
What Is “Self-Sponsorship” via the Skilled Worker Route?
There is no separate “self-sponsorship visa” it is a strategy using the Skilled Worker route. Essentially, you set up or use your own UK company as an employer, obtain a Sponsor Licence for that company, and then have that company issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for your own Skilled Worker visa. In practice the steps are:
- Set up a UK company: (Typically a UK limited company, with a UK bank account and registration for PAYE/VAT as needed.)
- Apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence: This requires demonstrating that the business is genuine and capable of meeting UKVI duties (proper HR/payroll systems, record-keeping, etc.).
- Sponsor yourself. Once the licence is granted, the company assigns you a CoS in a qualifying role (RQF6 skill, relevant SOC code) with the required salary, then you apply for the Skilled Worker visa.
- Visa application. Submit the Skilled Worker visa application, showing you meet the criteria (salary threshold, English, etc.).
Your UK company must act like any employer: if eligible, it should be registered at Companies House, have a UK address/bank account, and usually operate PAYE on your earnings.
The Home Office will expect that the role is a genuine vacancy. Your company must also fulfil standard sponsor duties, such as keeping records, reporting any changes (e.g. if you stop working), and remaining compliant with UK immigration rules.
Who it’s best for: This route suits entrepreneurs with an already-proven business model or established trade.
What Is the Innovator Founder Visa Route?
The Innovator Founder visa is designed for entrepreneurs aiming to set up an innovative, scalable UK business. It requires endorsement by a Home Office-approved endorsing body. Key eligibility points:
- Innovative idea: Your business concept must be new, original and substantially different from existing UK businesses. It must show potential to grow
- Endorsement: You must obtain a formal endorsement letter from an approved body. That body assesses your plan for innovation, viability and scalability (Approved endorsers include private innovation firms, accelerators, universities, etc.)
- No fixed investment: no set investment sum is required. However, you must still demonstrate you have sufficient funding to launch the venture.
- Employment flexibility: Innovator Founder holders can do paid work outside their venture provided it is a skilled job (RQF 3+). This means you could take on a part-time RQF3 role, alongside running your business subject to the endorsement conditions.
Endorsements are granted by approved organisations. These mentors provide expertise, networking and sometimes funding support. The visa is initially granted for 3 years, with a requirement to meet your endorser at 12 and 24 months to confirm you’re making satisfactory progress on agreed milestones. The visa depends entirely on maintaining endorsement.
Who it’s best for: Ideal candidates are founders with genuinely unique ideas, often in tech seeking investment or growth support.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Skilled Worker vs Innovator Founder
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Criteria
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Self-Sponsorship (Skilled Worker)
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Innovator Founder
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Innovation required
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No – any qualifying skilled role (RQF6+) is fine
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Yes – must be an original, innovative business idea
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Endorsement
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No endorsement needed (your company is the sponsor)
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Required – must be endorsed by an approved body
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Investment required
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No mandatory investment
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No mandatory investment
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Time to ILR (settlement)
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Typically 5 years’ continuous residence
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3 years of continuous residence
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Flexibility of business type
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Very broad – any lawful business allowed
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Focused on innovative/scalable startups
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Work outside business
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Limited – can do up to 20 hrs/week in skilled roles (RQF6)
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Allowed – skilled jobs (RQF3+) outside your venture
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Risk level
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Moderate – must meet strict compliance but visa grants are high
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Higher – endorsement and business viability uncertainties; overall success rate is lower than Skilled Worker
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Ideal for
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Entrepreneurs with existing UK business/steady model
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Ambitious founders with novel, high-growth ideas (tech & financial innovation)
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Cost Comparison
- Skilled Worker (self-sponsorship): Significant admin costs. Key fees (2026): Sponsor licence £574 (small company) or £1,579 (medium/large); each Certificate of Sponsorship £525; Skilled Worker visa fee (£590–£1,751 depending on job type and visa length) Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year; and the Immigration Skills Charge (£420/year for small sponsors, £1,320/year for larger)
- Innovator Founder: Main fees: Endorsement £1,000 to the endorsing body, plus £500 at each annual review (paid to endorser). Visa fee is £1,274 (outside UK) or £1,590 (inside UK). You also pay IHS (£1,035/year) when applying. There is no Skilled Worker licence or Immigration Skills charge cost.
Which Route Is Easier to Get Approved?
By most accounts, the Skilled Worker route is far more straightforward if you can satisfy the criteria. Home Office data suggest Skilled Worker visas have a 99% grant rate. In contrast, the Innovator Founder route is much riskier: only about 36% of applicants succeed through both endorsement and visa stages. Common pitfalls include:
- Endorsement refusal: For Innovator Founder, failing to convince an endorsing body is the biggest hurdle. Without endorsement, the visa cannot even be applied for.
- Job requirements (Skilled Worker): For self-sponsorship, the biggest risk is the Home Office rejecting a job role/salary. For Skilled Worker you must ensure the job meets the new RQF6 skill level approved role and the specific salary requirements for the role
- Sponsor licence compliance: Both routes require the sponsor (your UK company or endorsement body) to operate correctly. A Skilled Worker licence can be revoked if the Home Office finds breaches (e.g. inaccurate record-keeping)
- Business progress: For Innovator Founder, even after endorsement you must meet agreed milestones at 12 and 24 months, or risk endorsement withdrawal and visa curtailment
Pros and Cons Recap
- Skilled Worker (self-sponsorship):
- Pros: High control and flexibility (any business type allowed) no need for external endorsement; very high visa approval rate if criteria met.
- Cons: Heavy compliance burden on the company (PAYE, reporting, audits). Significant upfront costs (licence, CoS, visa, IHS, ISC) ILR after 5 years of continual residence under the current rules.
- Innovator Founder:
- Pros: Faster path to settlement (ILR in 3 years if successful) Access to a support network via endorsers. You can take outside additional employment). No minimum investment threshold.
- Cons: Very high bar to entry. You must satisfy a strict “innovative, scalable” test. Overall success rates are modest. There is no guarantee of funding. Endorsement is subjective, and you must meet growth targets or lose your visa.
FAQ
- Do I need a UK company for an Innovator Founder visa? Yes. The Innovator Founder visa assumes you will establish and run a business in the UK. In practice you normally set up a UK company to execute your endorsed plan. The endorsing body will expect evidence of a UK business structure (e.g. company registration) and a viable business plan.
- Can I switch from Skilled Worker to Innovator Founder? Yes, you can switch between categories. The Innovator Founder route explicitly allows applicants to switch from another visa if they secure endorsement, you can apply to switch to Innovator Founder from within the UK
- What’s the fastest route to UK ILR for entrepreneurs? Innovator Founder is typically faster: you become eligible for settlement after 3 years on Innovator Founder. By contrast, the Skilled Worker (self-sponsored) route follows the standard rule of usually 5 years’ lawful residence.
Can I work outside my business on either visa? Yes, with conditions. Skilled Worker holders can take up secondary employment for up to 20 hours per week, provided it is in a skilled (RQF 6+) job. This means you could, for example, remain a (part-time) employee of another company in addition to your main role. Innovator Founder holders have even more flexibility. They can work outside their venture in any skilled job (RQF3 or above), and with no fixed hour limit, so long as it doesn’t conflict with their business commitments.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Route in 2026
Deciding between these routes comes down to your business model, innovation level and risk tolerance. If you have a concrete UK business with proven revenue and prefer full control Skilled Worker self-sponsorship may be preferable. If you possess a genuinely innovative startup idea and want faster settlement (and mentor support), Innovator Founder might be worth the higher entry bar. Factors to weigh include how novel your idea is, how much funding or endorsement you can secure. Entrepreneurs can consider taking a speaking to one of our consultants to map out which path suits their profile.
If you are interested in pursuing either route, then please don’t hesitate to contact Migrate UK to book a consultation.