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on August 2, 2023
A passionate entrepreneur with a majority shareholding in a green energy start-up sought Cranbrook Legal’s help in obtaining a sponsor licence prior to starting the business’s operations, so that he could sponsor himself under the Skilled Worker visa.
From the outset, the client explained that he did not want to apply under the Innovator visa, as his business idea had already been established and was already in the international market.
The client had seen our video on YouTube explaining how the self-sponsorship programme through the Skilled Worker visa category could help businesspeople looking to expand or establish their business in the UK. He requested further advice on this route.
We advised the client on how the self-sponsorship programme worked, and we explained to him what he would need to demonstrate in order for his application under the Skilled Worker visa category to be successful.
The start-up focused on developing sustainable energy solutions. Our team worked closely with the client to provide evidence for their business plan, financial backing, and need for international expertise. We advised that a business plan for a start-up was essential, as the Home Office would consider the feasibility of the business as part of its ‘genuine business’ criteria.
We also advised the client on implementing the necessary HR systems to ensure compliance. The applicant had a co-founder, a British citizen who would act as the authorising officer on behalf of the company.
The client was concerned about how we could meet the criteria regarding the ‘genuine vacancy’ aspect for the sponsor licence application. We advised that as the client was a crucial part of the business and the client needed to be in the UK in order for the business to trade, we would argue that the client’s presence in the UK was essential to the business. After all, we reasoned, who would be better than the client to come and run the business in the UK?
We prepared the sponsor licence application, working closely with the UK director who would be acting as the authorising officer. The sponsor licence was granted before the company started trading, which both the UK director and the client were extremely happy about.
We then advised the client fully on the requirements for the Skilled Worker visa, which necessitated sponsorship by the company. The client requested assistance with the process of assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship, which we were able to do within 24 hours, given that the client was now outside the UK.
At the same time, the client provided us with the documentation needed in support of the Skilled Worker visa application. Our team conducted a thorough review of the documents and suggested some other documents to provide as a means of further strengthening the application.
Following submission of the application online, the client received a positive decision on his Skilled Worker visa application within three weeks.
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