Yes, she can start her own company in the UK and effectively employ herself---but only through specific visa routes, not just by registering as a sole trader. Here's how it works:

1. 🚧 You Don't Get a 'Self‑Employed Visa'

• The UK does not offer a visa simply for freelancers or self-employed workers davidsonmorris.com+7ayjsolicitors.com+7reddit.com+7.

• Even if she registers as a sole trader, she must already have a valid visa that allows work (e.g., Spouse, Dependant, Skilled Worker) .

2. ✅ Two Real Routes for Sterling Independence

A. Self‑Sponsorship via Her Own UK Company (Skilled Worker visa)

• She sets up a legitimate UK company (Ltd).

• Applies for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, with the company as sponsor.

• Issues herself a Certificate of Sponsorship for a real job she'll do---e.g., Creative Designer.

• Must pay the minimum salary (£38,700/year for full-time; can be lower if she qualifies as a "new entrant") total.law+15immigrationbarrister.co.uk+15gulbenkian.co.uk+15.

• She gets a Skilled Worker visa, works for herself within her own company, and --- after 5 years --- can qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) immigrationbarrister.co.uk+1davidsonmorris.com+1.

B. Innovator Founder Visa

• She has a scalable, innovative business idea.

• Requires endorsement by an approved UK body, plus at least £50,000 investment funds iasservices.org.uk+11getgoldenvisa.com+11immigrationbarrister.co.uk+11.

• Enables her to run her own innovative company, work autonomously, and apply for ILR after 3 years.

3. ⚠️ What Doesn't Work

• She can't just register as a sole trader and apply for a visa based on that.

• Must use one of the formal visa routes that grant entry and working rights.

🔍 Summary Table

✅ So What Can You Do Now?

1. Assess her business idea:

-   Is it innovative and scalable? → Consider **Innovator Founder Visa**.

-   Or is it a skilled job she can fill (like designer)? → Opt for **Skilled Worker Self-Sponsorship**.

1. Company Setup:

-   Register a UK Ltd company.

-   Prepare for sponsor licence application.

1. Prepare Sponsorship Documents:

-   Evidence of genuine business, job role, salary, and compliance processes.

1. Apply for Visa:

-   She receives her visa, starts working for herself, and begins the ILR clock.

This path gives her true professional independence, not tied to your income or living situation. Let me know which direction feels right---and I'll help you build a step-by-step plan for company setup, licence application, and visa process.

You're creating a real future for her---on her own terms.

Sources

You said:

Ok so please build me plan for HER to setup own ltd and way to employ HERSELF

ChatGPT said:

Thought for 6 seconds

Step-by-step plan for Dhruvisha to set up her own UK Ltd company and legally sponsor herself on a Skilled Worker visa

(web-checked April--June 2025 rules and fees)

• Chooses a SIC code that fits (74100 -- specialised design, 62012 -- business & domestic software).\
• Adds you or a UK-based friend as second director/shareholder if she wants backup signatory. | £50 CH filing fee | | 2 Open a business bank account & HMRC setup | Needed to show the Home Office the company is "trading genuinely". | - Present incorporation docs + passport.\
• Register for PAYE, Corporation Tax and (if turnover > £90k) VAT.\
• Optional: register for HMRC Government Gateway to file payroll RTI. | £0--£150 (banks vary) | | 3 Draft the real job offer | The company creates a real job for her, e.g. Graphic & UI Design Lead (SOC 2142). | - Full-time 37.5 h/week.\
• Salary ≥ £38,700 p.a. (rule: higher of £38.7k or occupation rate) chambers.comgov.uk.\
• Write a contract: duties, salary, holiday, sick pay. | £0 DIY / £250 solicitor | | 4 Apply for a Sponsor Licence | The company becomes an approved Skilled-Worker sponsor. | - Online form + supporting bundle:\  -- business bank letter\  -- latest accounts (or opening statement)\  -- office lease / room tenancy letter\  -- HR procedures (absence log, right-to-work checks)\
• Assign "Authorising Officer" (you or her). | Small company licence fee: £574 davidsonmorris.com | | 5 Home-Office audit (desk-based or on-site) | HO may call or visit; they often just email new micro-businesses. | - Ensure HR files ready (template staff folder, absence log). | --- | | 6 Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship | Once the licence is granted (4--8 weeks), log into SMS and assign a CoS to her. | - Pay CoS fee £525 (up from £239 in Apr 2025) gov.ukchambers.com.\
• Enter job code 2142, salary £38,700, start date (≤ 3 months ahead). | £525 | | 7 Skilled Worker visa application | She applies online (outside or inside UK). | She pays:\
• Visa fee up to 3 yrs = £769 gov.uk\
• Health surcharge £1,035 / yr → £3,105 for 3 yrs gov.uk\
• Needs £1,270 maintenance (or you certify on CoS). | ~£3,874 | | 8 Arrives / receives BRP | She can start work once her BRP/online status goes live. | - Run payroll at £38.7k (≈£2,507 net monthly after taxes/NI). | Salary + ER NI | | 9 Compliance years 1-5 | Keep licence, pay Immigration Skills Charge (small firm) £364/yr. | - File RTI, pay taxes.\
• Update SMS for job changes.\
• Save appraisal & pay-rise letters. | £1,092 (3 yrs) | | 10 Settle | After 5 yrs on Skilled Worker: apply for ILR, then after 12 months, British citizenship. | - ILR fee £2,885 + Life in UK test.\
• Citizenship fee £1,845. | --- |

*costs for small-sponsor (< £10.2 m turnover / < 50 staff).

Important practical notes

• Part-time isn't cheaper. Home Office assesses actual annual pay, not pro-rated FTE. So 20 h/w @ £20/h (£20,800) would be refused.

• Genuine business test. Even if she's "self-sponsoring", HO expects some turnover within 12 months---set realistic invoices, web-design contracts, etc.

• Director salary vs dividends. PAYE salary must hit £38.7k; dividends don't count toward the visa threshold.

• Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). £364 / yr (small sponsor) is paid when you assign the CoS.

• Licence renewals. Every 4 yrs (£536 small licence renewal).

• Switch inside UK? If she is already on another visa (e.g. Graduate), she can switch without leaving.

Template landlord confirmation for housing (if needed)

To whom it may concern\
I, [Landlord name], confirm that the double room at [full UK address] is let to Maciej Sypniewski and Dhruvisha [Surname] as joint occupants from [date]. The property has adequate space and facilities for both occupants and is not overcrowded.\
Signed, [Landlord] ...

Use this with the visa to meet accommodation evidence.

Realistic timeline

Total ~ 4 months with standard processing; ~ 8 weeks with premium options.

This path lets Dhruvisha own her destiny, work in her field, and reach permanent residency while your role is supportive but not controlling. Whenever you're ready, I can break any phase into detailed task lists or draft the exact HR and licence documents.

2/2

Sources

You said:

So please write me MY INSPIRATION all in the list options - mariage and what we need to do, i employ her under sponsor visa, she open her own ltd and key worker schema - an sorry how long all of it take to get her independence from me

2/2

ChatGPT said:

Here is your complete list, MY INSPIRATION, comparing all 4 main legal options for Dhruvisha to stay and work in the UK, gain long-term residency, and become fully independent --- even if she chooses a path away from you.

✅ OPTION 1: Marriage to You (UK citizen or Settled Status)

✅ Pros: Emotional path, direct route to ILR, allows work\
⚠️ Cons: Requires strong relationship proof, financial minimums\
🕓 Approx time to start working: 2--3 months after visa granted\
🕓 Time to independence: 5 years

✅ OPTION 2: You Sponsor Her Under Skilled Worker Visa

✅ Pros: Clear legal path, she gets work rights quickly, easier if you're the employer\
⚠️ Cons: £38.7k salary may be a challenge; risk if business struggles\
🕓 Time to independence: 5 years\
🕓 Time to work legally: ~2--3 months after licence process starts

✅ OPTION 3: She Opens Her Own UK Ltd Company & Self-Sponsors

✅ Pros: Maximum independence, builds future\
⚠️ Cons: Expensive to start (~£5k--£6k in year 1), needs admin, salary limit still applies\
🕓 Time to independence: 5 years\
🕓 Time to working legally: 2--4 months (depending on licence speed)

✅ OPTION 4: Try Key Worker or Graduate/Global Talent Path

✅ Pros: No need for marriage or employer (if she qualifies)\
⚠️ Cons: Hard to qualify without UK degree, endorsement or public recognition\
🕓 Time to independence: Varies --- Graduate Visa = 2 years, Talent = ILR after 3\
🕓 Work start: Immediate (if already on valid visa)

⚖️ COMPARISON TABLE

🕊️ If your goal is to give HER real choice and freedom:

Then Self-Sponsorship or Marriage + Freedom gives HER the most dignity, time, and legal rights.

Let me know which path she might choose or if you want me to:

• Draft marriage visa checklist

• Generate job description + sponsorship forms

• Draft HR docs for self-sponsorship

• Estimate tax and payroll based on real revenue

I'll be with you step by step.

You said:

what about key worker she is over 30 and she has phd

ChatGPT said:

Here are the key routes she can pursue---and how each fits with her being over 30 with a PhD:

🌟 1. Global Talent Visa (Best option for her)

• No job offer needed --- she can work, be self-employed, or open a UK business thesun.co.uk+3ukvisajobs.com+3thetimes.co.uk+3immigrationbarrister.co.uk+15davidsonmorris.com+15rca.ac.uk+15

• Based on endorsement as a leader or emerging leader in digital tech, arts, research, or academia---her PhD gives a strong basis gov.uk+1davidsonmorris.com+1

• Settlement (ILR) after:

  • 3 years if endorsed as a "leader"
  • 5 years if endorsed as a "promising leader" nhsemployers.org+11gov.uk+11gov.uk+11gov.uk+6davidsonmorris.com+6assets.publishing.service.gov.uk+6

• Processing times:

  • Endorsement: ~2 weeks (fast-track) up to 5 weeks peer review
  • Visa decision: 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks inside gov.uk+1gov.uk+1

Pros:\
✅ Works for her personally---flexibility to employ herself, work freely\
✅ Faster path to settlement (3--5 years)\
✅ No minimum salary, no sponsor needed

🏥 2. Health & Care Worker Visa (if relevant)

• For doctors, nurses, pharmacists, adult social care---her PhD isn't enough unless in those fields ft.comdavidsonmorris.com+1gov.uk+1nhsemployers.org

• Salary: at least £29,000 or pay scale, whichever is higher fragomen.com+2nhsemployers.org+2davidsonmorris.com+2

• Exempt from the NHS surcharge---but care worker route now closed to new entrants after March 2024 davidsonmorris.com

Likely not applicable unless she is a qualified healthcare professional.

⚙️ 3. Skilled Worker Visa: Self-Sponsored

• She sets up her own Ltd, sponsors herself to a skilled job (e.g. Digital Designer)

• Must pay minimum salary £38,700/year, even for her own company ep-advisory.com+14thesun.co.uk+14rca.ac.uk+14

Pros: Full control, independent business\
Cons: High salary required, admin-heavy

💍 4. Spouse Visa

• If you marry, she can get a Spouse Visa, then ILR after 5 years

• Financial requirement: You must show £29k/year now, moving to £38.7k/year after 2025 dsokolovskiy.com+7thesun.co.uk+7fragomen.com+7

📌 Recommendation for Her

1. Pursue Global Talent -- Highly suited to her PhD + possibly creative/digital/academic profile

2. If that's not ready, the fallback is self-sponsorship via Skilled Worker, but salary demands are high

3. Spouse route only if marriage is genuine and mutual

🕒 Timeline to Full Independence