Work in the UK
Our in-house team and strategic business partners have over 30 years of combined industry experience. We know that it is vital to understand our clients’ needs. We have carefully selected a tailored service package for each of them and over the past few years, through various vehicles, we have successfully supported hundreds of clients to achieve their ambitions in the U.K.
What is Innovator Founder Visa
Innovator Founder Visa was introduced by the UK Home Office in April 2023; it replaces the Innovator route and Start Up visa for overseas innovative entrepreneurs to establish and operate pioneering businesses in the United Kingdom.
Attractiveness
Compares to its predecessor routes, Innovator Founder visa route offers more flexibilities to applicants to consider, including:
establish one or more businesses no minimum investment requirement;
work for your business, including employment as a director or self-employment in a business partnership;
secondary employment permitted - engage in skilled work outside your business;
bring your eligible partner and children to the UK as dependents.
travel abroad and return to the UK; and
apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after residing in the UK for 3 years upon meeting eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
Before applying, each applicant should meet certain requirements:
be at least 18 years old,
meet the English language requirements;
have valid Non-Criminal Record Certificate (PCC);
have a minimum amount of savings available, usually £1,270 per applicant;
receiving an endorsement letter and apply for the visa within 3 months.
An applicant must have a business idea and the ability to be approved by an Endorsing Body as being innovative, viable and scalable, where:
Innovation - does the applicant have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage?
Viability - does the applicant have, or are they actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business?
Scalability - is there evidence of structured planning and of potential for job creation and growth into national markets?
Knowledge of English
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You need to providing evidence of the following:
a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – you must apply for a certificate from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) if you studied in any foreign country;
a pass in the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. e.g. Pearson, PSI Services (UK) Ltd – Skills for English (UKVI); IELTS SELT Consortium or Language Cert;
a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained during time you spent in a UK school.
How long you can stay
The initial visa is granted for a period of 3 years at a time. Innovator applicants will be able to apply to extend their stay for a further 3 years, or to settle permanently in the UK if they are able to meet the relevant criteria. Endorsement is required from an endorsing body for each stage above - initial application, extension and final settlement.
Our Services
Our in-house experts and immigration partners have extensive industry experience, with trusted networks and resources, we are more than capable to support you with:
business idea review and assessment;
Business Plan writing in accordance with Endorsing Body standards;
Business Plan training and coaching;
interview preparation for both Endorsing Body and UK Home Office.
preparation of Innovator Visa application, submission of documents and follow up queries;
support you to establish your business in the UK;
introduce accountant, IP lawyers and business development services.
What is Skilled Worker Visa
On 1 December 2020, the Skilled Worker Visa was introduced by the Home Office and replaced the Tier 2 General Work visa. The Skilled Worker Visa is a points-based immigration scheme. With the exception of British and Irish nationals, the scheme allows employers to recruit individuals of all nationalities to work in the UK in a specific job role within an eligible skilled occupation.
Attractiveness
Compare to Tier 2 General Work visa, the Skilled Worker Visa has much lower entry barriers for applicants:
the skill level requirement has been lowered from RQF level 6 to RQF level 3;
the Skilled Worker route is open to new market entrants, e.g. recent graduates) and it has significantly expanded the number of eligible occupations.
no Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) is required for skilled worker visa, making it easier and faster to recruit skilled overseas workers.
secondary employment permitted – up to 20 working hours weekly in the same job occupation code or in shortage occupations
bring your eligible partner and children to the UK as dependents, excepting from Health and Social Care.
apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after residing in the UK for 5 years upon meeting eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visa Requirements listed below:
you are aged 18 or over;
your English lever is at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
your job offer is a genuine vacancy with an appropriate skill level and has a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS);
you will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation;
you have a valid criminal record certificate and a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate, if required.
Knowledge of English
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale,
You need to providing evidence of the following:
a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – you must apply for a certificate from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) if you studied in any foreign country; or
a pass in the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. e.g. Pearson, PSI Services (UK) Ltd – Skills for English (UKVI); IELTS (4.0); SELT Consortium or Language Cert; or
a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained during time you spent in a UK school.
Minimum salary requirement (2024)
Anyone wishing to come to, or stay in the UK as a skilled worker will need to have a confirmed job offer from a licenced sponsor. You will be paid at a minimum general salary of £ £38,700 a year, or the ‘going rate’ for the role, whichever is higher.
Under certain special circumstances, you are still eligible to apply for Skilled Worker Visa if you are paid between 80% of the usual going rate if your job is in a list of Occupation Code.
Skilled Worker visa application document check list
your passport (with a blank page);
your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number;
your job title and annual salary;
your job’s occupation code;
the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number (as shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship);
evidence of sufficient personal savings to support yourself;
proof of your relationship to your spouse/partner and children (e.g. marriage and birth certificates);
criminal record certificate (this is only necessary for certain occupation types involving vulnerable individuals such as healthcare and education);
proof of your English language proficiency; and
TB test results (if you are from a country for which this is required).
Settlement
the skilled worker route can lead to settlement if the applicant has been continuously living and working in the UK for 5 years;
your absence from the UK is no more than 180 days during any 12-month of the 5-years continuous period;
by the end of year 5, your sponsor seeks your further employment and is still a Home Office approved sponsor; and
by the end of year 5, you will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation.
Our Services
The Home Office will carefully scrutinise each Skilled Worker visa application, it is vital to prepare your case thoroughly to satisfy the requirements given.
Our highly driven and dedicated immigration partners will provide clear and professional advice to you.
We do not just prepare and submit your application form, but also provide expert guidance and assistance to you throughout the process. This includes:
review and advice on your CV; and
provide one-to-one training courses to deepen industry knowledge and improve interview skills;
Initial entrance visa application:
check all documents, complete the online application form and submit applications online;
follow up queries from the UK Home Office; and
arrange a biometric appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
Additional applications:
UK Skilled Worker visa extension;
switch to a Skilled Worker visa;
Skilled Worker dependent visa;
IRL as a Skilled Worker visa; and
Admin Review application on Skilled Worker visa refusal.
What is UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility)
The Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa is for senior managers and specialist employees who wish to be assigned to the UK temporarily by an overseas business to undertake work related to the expansion of its operations in the UK.
Attractiveness
a maximum of 5 workers can be appointed by the overseas business to establish and operate its branch or subsidiaries;
no minimum initial investment or individual maintenance requirements are required
the applicant’s immediate family members, spouses and children under 18 are also eligible to enter the UK;
no English requirement is needed;
be able to switch into another immigration route including Skilled Worker visa which does lead to settlement; and
the applicant is permitted but not obliged to work, study or engage in business activities in the UK.
Qualify for the UK Expansion Worker Visa
To qualify to apply for the visa, you will have to fulfil the following criteria;
you are aged 18 or over;
can only be used to establish a branch or subsidiary of the overseas business, or its UK existing branches or subsidiaries but not yet started trading.
have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer;
you must have worked for your employer from outside the UK. You must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside the UK unless you earn more than £73,900 per annum. Or if you a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company expanding to the UK.
your job must be on the list of eligible occupations;
your employer must pay you the minimum eligible salary required for your specific job. The salary must be at least £48,500 per year, or the going rate for your specific job, whichever is higher.
Length of Stay in the UK
A person can stay in the UK on the UK Expansion Worker Visa for whatever is the shorter of Twelve months after the start date of the job on the Certificate of Sponsorship; or the time on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days.
It is possible to extend your visa by 12 months. However, the maximum time you will be allowed to stay in the UK is two years.
Our services
Your case will be dealt with UK Home Office registered immigration legal advisors or UK qualified lawyers only:
valuate applicants and overseas companies’ background meet UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI)’s requirements;
ensure the Applicants’ job roles and specifications match qualifying job codes with the correct salary levels are being offered;
apply for the UK business’s Sponsor Licence for a new UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary, and issue the Certificate of Sponsorship;
apply for Expansion Worker Visa for each applicant and dependents;
provide the compliant document lists, legal advice, checks and feedback throughout the whole process;
Introduce UK chartered accountant(s) to the client to incorporate a new UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary and deliver accounting and tax services; and
valuate the new UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary and assist the applicants to apply for UK Skilled Worker visa to their existing UK Expansion Worker visa.
What is the Self-Sponsorship Route to a visa
Self-sponsorship in the UK is not a specific type of visa, but it is a feasible method for overseas entrepreneurs, business owners, or highly skilled individuals who establish and run their own business in the UK. Applicants use their own company as the sponsoring entity instead of being sponsored by an external employer,
For this visa, the individual must first establish or have an existing company in the UK that meets specific criteria set by the immigration authorities. The company must be genuine, active, and capable of offering a genuine vacancy that meets the skill and salary thresholds defined by the UK Home Office. The company needs to apply for a sponsor licence, then the applicant can work for the company under Skilled Worker visa category.
This visa rote is attractive for applicants looking to have allowing them to leverage their entrepreneurial ventures for residency and work purposes in the UK.
Attractiveness
no minimum initial investment is required to establish a business in the UK;
the applicant’s immediate family members, spouses and children under 18 are also eligible to enter the UK;
work for your own business rather than being sponsored by other external employers, this gives applicants more control over their work and immigration status;
applicants are allowed to have 100% of shareholding of the business;
secondary employment permitted – up to 20 working hours weekly in the same job occupation code or in shortage occupations; and
be able to apply for ILR after 5 years’ full-time work.
Eligibility
be at least 18 years;
must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned by your UK company, specifically for the role you intend to fill;
the business must be operational, authentic, and have obtained a sponsor licence;
the role you are to assume should be a real job vacancy that aligns with the skill level expected for the Skilled Worker visa;
your salary must meet or success salary threshold defined by the UK Home Office;
your English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1, e.g. no less than IELTS 4.0;
you should demonstrate financial stability to support yourself in the UK without accessing public funds; and
have valid criminal record certificate(s), e.g. PCC.
Length of Stay in the UK
Your business is able to sponsor you as long as it wants, typical 5-year.
Our services
Business Plan preparation;
prepare and advise on your company sponsor licence application, and follow up any queries raised from the Home Office;
provide advice and guidance when appointing an Authorising Officer to manage the sponsor licence including the roles and functions they are expected to undertake;
prepare and submit your Skilled Worker visa application, and follow up any queries raised from the Home Office;
guidance on opening a business bank account;
provide you with complete hand-holding support for your UK immigration process; and
introduce you to strategic partners to help you achieve your objective, such as, but not limited to, an accountant, a web designer, and a sales/marketing consultant.
FAQs on Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa
Is there a minimum investment requirement for the Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship?
There’s no minimum investment requirement for applicants to consider self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa route. However, with sufficient financial resources, the business is more confident to support its growth and cover minimum salary requirement and to strengthen your case when demonstrating its legitimacy.
Can I own and direct my UK company with a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa?
With a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa, you’re permitted to be both a Director and a shareholder, having the ability to own up to 100% of the company shares.
Is Innovation or Uniqueness Required for a UK Business?
Unlike the Innovator Founder route, the Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa route does not mandate the sponsoring UK business to be innovative, viable, or scalable. Any business type can qualify for the UK Skilled Worker self-sponsorship visa route.
Will I need to receive a salary while I am in the UK on a self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa? Receiving a salary that adheres to the specific thresholds, including the general salary threshold and the occupation’s ‘going rate,’ is mandatory for self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa holders.
What are the English language requirements for this visa?
In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship you will need to demonstrate English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) to at least level B1. Equivalent to IELTS 4.0 and above for each component.
How long can I stay in the UK with a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa?
This visa can grant a stay of up to 5 years, with the exact period extending an additional 14 days beyond the end date specified in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Am I allowed to undertake additional work on this visa?
Self-sponsored UK Skilled Worker visa holders are allowed to work in the specific job for which they have been sponsored. Additionally, they may engage in supplementary employment as long as it falls within the definition of 'supplementary employment' and they continue to fulfil the requirements of the sponsored job.
Can I qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if I sponsor myself for a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, Self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa route can lead to settlement as a skilled worker visa holder. However, you must be a full-time employee of a business and your minimum annual paid salary is no less than the threshold defined by the UK Home Office during the 5-year sponsored period.
Who can be an Authorising Officer?
When an organisation applies for a sponsor licence, it must nominate key personnel who will be named on the licence. The key personnel roles are Authorising Officer.
Authorising Officer must be a paid member of staff or a director of the business. The Authorising Officer has the overall management responsibility for the sponsor licence and the organisation’s compliance with the sponsor duties.
What if an Authorising Officer (AO) leaves my company?
You must have an Authorising Officer in place throughout the life of your licence. If your appointed officer is leaving the business, you must find a replacement. To change your Authorising Officer, an authorised SMS Level 1 User must navigate the 'Request changes to licence details' on the SMS.
An internship is work experience offered by an organisation over a fixed time period. Internship opportunities provide students and graduates with transferable skills, useful connections and invaluable industry insights, this enables them to build up competitive advantage over their peers.
Employers often use internships as an effective way to advertise their graduate schemes. Surveys indicate that employers offer at least 25% of their ex-interns full-time employment after they leave university. Ex-interns already understand the company and the job they will be doing, and they require less training than new candidates, which saves time and resources.
Our Services
We support you to build up your confidence and reach your maximum potentials by providing a service package designed especially for you.
Our services include but not limited to, CV brush-up and redesign, assessment centre practice, target company search, application form and cover letter review, interview skill training and mock up and Internship referral.