19/04/2026
A business owner reached out to us earlier this year, frustrated, confused, and sitting with a visa refusal in hand.
They had done everything they believed was right. UK-registered company. Sponsor Licence in place. CoS assigned. Application submitted.
And yet: refused.
The problem was not their intent. It was their structure and the rules had quietly moved the goalposts.
What changed in April 2026?
→ Salary requirements must now be satisfied every pay period, not just annually
→ The 'eligible role' test has replaced the genuine vacancy check
→ Compliance audits are intensifying across the board
We went back to basics with that client. Reviewed the company setup. Restructured where needed. Resubmitted with confidence.
Approval came through in under ten weeks.
The self-sponsorship route, setting up or restructuring a UK company, obtaining a Sponsor Licence, and assigning a CoS to yourself, remains one of the most direct paths to a Skilled Worker visa and eventual ILR.
But it has to be built correctly.
If you are a director or entrepreneur wondering whether your current setup would hold up under a Home Office review, let's talk.
Comment SELF below or send me a message to book a free 15-minute conversation.
Every case is different but I will give you an honest picture of where you stand.
