The Certificate of Sponsorship is an essential first step in any application to hire a skilled foreign worker. It’s very important to issue the certificate correctly and include all the relevant information. Our detailed guide below provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know. However, if you need more help, please get in touch.
Based on 1058+ Reviews on Trustpilot & Google
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a virtual document provided by a sponsoring employer to prospective employees who do not have the right to work in the UK, i.e. they do not hold British Citizenship, Settled Status, or a valid work visa such as an Ancestry Visa. The CoS alone doesn’t give the employee permission to work in the UK and is just the first part of a multi-stage process to granting the prospective employee a work visa.
The Certificate of Sponsorship itself is not a physical document but a reference number. Applicants use this number when applying for their visas, and it confirms that they have been offered a genuine position by a firm holding a valid sponsor license. The certificate contains key information about the role that helps immigration authorities assess the applicant’s eligibility for entry into the UK under specific visa categories. In most cases, the certificate will include the proposed start date, length of employment, job title, salary, and various other details.
It’s important to note that Certificates of Sponsorship can also be issued by Universities and Colleges to International students. However, in this guide, we will focus solely on work visas.
A Certificate of Sponsorship can only be issued by a firm with a valid Sponsor License. A number of different sponsor licences can be issued, but the two main licences are a worker licence and a temporary worker licence. The application process for both is similar, with businesses needing to meet a number of eligibility and suitability criteria. These checks aim to assess the legitimacy of the business, its financial resilience, and that appropriate processes are in place. As part of the process, responsible people need to be assigned to different roles, including an authorising officer and a key contact role.
The authorising officer is the individual who is responsible for issuing the Certificates of Sponsorship. They do this by using the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), an online administrative portal to view existing certificates and issue new ones. The issuance of new certificates is subject to a maximum allowance, which is discussed in further detail below.
The following visa types all require a Certificate of Sponsorship to be issued as part of the application process:
There are two categories of Certificate of Sponsorship – ‘defined’ and ‘undefined’ certificates.
The cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship varies based on the type of licence you hold. The licence will also dictate what visa you are able to issue CoS for. The following costs apply per certificate issued:
| Type of Licence | Cost Per Certificate |
| Worker (except workers on the International Sportsperson visa) | £239 |
| Temporary Worker | £25 |
| International Sportsperson – where the certificate of sponsorship is assigned for more than 12 months | £239 |
| International Sportsperson – where the certificate of sponsorship is assigned for 12 months or less | £25 |
Once a Certificate of Sponsorship has been generated, a full visa application must be made within three months. If you apply after this time, the application will not be processed and the fees paid will not be refunded.
Many clients choose First Migration for its long history of excellent service and track record of successful visa applications. However, what we feel is our biggest strength and what makes us unique is our small dedicated team that offers a truly personalised service. We genuinely love what we do, and our team relishes making a difference to the lives of our clients.
Keep up to date with the latest news, insights and events
