What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a vital component of the UK visa application process for skilled worker visa applicants. It is an official document issued through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) by a sponsor licence holder, typically an employer or educational institution. The CoS, which can be either defined or undefined, carries a unique reference number and contains essential details about the sponsored individual and the sponsoring organisation. It serves as evidence that the prospective employee has a valid sponsor and meets immigration rules. The sponsor may assign a certificate from their annual allocation and pay the CoS fee. The CoS is not a physical document but an electronic record in the SMS.
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Types of Certificate of Sponsorship
There are two types of UK Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): defined and undefined.
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Defined CoS are for Skilled Worker visa prospective employees who are based abroad.
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Undefined CoS are for Skilled Worker visa prospective employees who are based in the UK, or for other types of visas such as Intra-Company Transfer, Religious Worker, Creative Worker, and Charity Worker.
A CoS is a document that is issued by a UK employer to a prospective employee who is not a British citizen or a settled person in the UK. The CoS confirms that the employer has a sponsor licence and that the job offer meets the requirements of the relevant visa category.
To obtain a CoS, the employer must first apply for a sponsor licence from the Home Office. Once the employer has been granted a sponsor licence, they can issue a CoS to a prospective employee.
The prospective employee must then use the CoS to apply for a UK visa. The visa application will be assessed by the Home Office, who will decide whether to grant the visa.
If the visa is granted, the prospective employee will be able to work in the UK for the employer who issued the CoS.
Who needs a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a mandatory requirement for most non-EEA nationals who wish to work in the UK. It is issued by a UK employer who has a sponsor licence from the Home Office. The CoS confirms that the employer has met the requirements of the relevant visa category and that the job offer meets the requirements of the UK immigration rules.
The following categories of non-EEA nationals need a CoS to work in the UK:
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Skilled Worker visa applicants
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Intra-Company Transfer visa applicants
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Religious Worker visa applicants
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Creative Worker visa applicants
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Charity Worker visa applicants
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Sportsperson visa applicants
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Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa applicants
There are some exceptions to the requirement for a CoS, for example:
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Nationals of countries with which the UK has a visa waiver agreement
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Nationals of countries with which the UK has a trade agreement that includes a provision on the movement of skilled workers
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Nationals of countries with which the UK has a reciprocal agreement on the recognition of professional qualifications
If you are a non-EEA national who is considering working in the UK, you should check with your employer to see if they have a sponsor licence and if they can issue you with a CoS. You can also check the UK government website for more information on the requirements for a CoS.
How much does it Cost
The cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) varies depending on the type of CoS and the size of the employer.
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Defined CoS for Skilled Worker visa applicants cost £199.
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Undefined CoS for Skilled Worker visa applicants cost £21.
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Undefined CoS for other types of visa applicants cost £21.
The cost of a CoS is paid to the Home Office when the CoS is issued.
In addition to the cost of the CoS, employers must also pay an Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when they sponsor a non-EEA national to work in the UK.
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The ISC is £364 per year for small and charitable sponsors, and £1,000 per year for medium and large sponsors.
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The IHS is £624 per year for adults, and £324 per year for children under 18.
The ISC and IHS are paid to the Home Office when the employer applies for a sponsor licence.
The total cost of sponsoring a non-EEA national to work in the UK can be significant, so it is important for employers to carefully consider the costs before they sponsor a foreign national.
How to get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
To obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a skilled worker visa application in the UK, you need to follow these steps:
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Obtain a Sponsor Licence: The sponsoring organization must hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. This licence enables them to sponsor foreign workers and issue CoS.
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Sponsor Management System (SMS) Account: The sponsor must have an active SMS account, which is the online system used for managing sponsorship duties, including issuing CoS.
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Determine the Type of CoS: Determine whether you require a defined or undefined CoS. Defined CoS is for workers who already have a job offer, while undefined CoS is for workers who are seeking employment.
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CoS Allocation: For restricted CoS, the sponsor needs to request an allocation through the SMS. The Home Office has a monthly allocation process, and sponsors must apply within the specified timeframe.
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CoS Application: Using the SMS, the sponsor completes the CoS application, providing necessary details about the sponsored individual, job role, salary, and other relevant information.
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Cos Fee: The sponsor pays the applicable CoS fee as per the immigration rules and guidance.
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Issuing the CoS: Once the CoS application is approved, the sponsor assigns a certificate to the sponsored worker in the SMS. The CoS is generated electronically and carries a unique reference number.
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CoS Information: The sponsored worker receives the CoS information from the sponsoring organization, which includes the certificate number, start date, and other relevant details.
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Visa Application: The sponsored worker includes the CoS information when submitting their visa application to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The CoS plays a crucial role in the visa application process.
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Sponsorship Duties: As a sponsor, the organization has ongoing sponsorship duties, including maintaining records, reporting changes, and complying with immigration rules and regulations.
It’s important to note that the process and requirements may vary depending on the specific visa category and circumstances. Further information and guidance can be obtained from the UKVI and the sponsor guidance provided by the Home Office.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Allocation
When applying for a sponsor licence, you will need to estimate the number of Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship you will need in the first year. It is important to provide evidence and necessary information for the roles and migrants involved. The number of available Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship is not restricted.
You have the flexibility to renew your annual allocation or request additional Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship throughout the year to accommodate changes in circumstances. For instance, you may need an additional Certificate of Sponsorship if an existing sponsored worker is switching visa categories or if a sponsored worker requires an extension to remain in the UK.
It’s worth noting that potential migrants you wish to sponsor who are applying from abroad require a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship, which follows a different procedure and should not be included in the calculation for Undefined Certificates.
In contrast, there is no limit on the number of available Defined Certificates of Sponsorship. Sponsors can submit a CoS application at any time for migrant workers who require it. When requesting a CoS allocation, you must specify the intended recruitment roles, provide information about the migrant (if known), and explain how the migrant was identified for the position.
How to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship
To allocate a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), your organization must possess a valid sponsor licence and access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
The designated Level 1 or Level 2 user of the sponsor should enter the necessary details about the role in the SMS, which will result in the issuance of a unique reference number, known as the CoS.
Applications for a defined certificate typically receive approval within one working day. However, if the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) need to conduct further checks on the application, the process may take longer.
Once approved, the defined certificates will be visible in your SMS account, allowing you to assign them to the intended worker.
Subsequently, the worker utilizes the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for their visa within a three-month timeframe.
It’s crucial to note that Certificates of Sponsorship are non-transferable. Attempting to reassign a CoS to another individual would violate the duties of your sponsorship licence, potentially leading to enforcement action by the Home Office.
Applying for defined Certificates of SponsorshipÂ
To apply for a defined Certificate of Sponsorship, it is necessary to hold an A-rated licence.
The process for assigning a defined CoS is outlined in the Home Office SMS Guide 12:
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Sign in to the Sponsor Management System (SMS) as a Level 1 or Level 2 user.
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Navigate to the Workers screen and select ‘Defined CoS’.
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Choose ‘Apply for a Defined CoS’.
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Specify the CoS category and enter the desired number of CoS.
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Provide all employment details on the ‘Application for defined CoS – employment details’ page.
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Review the information on the confirmation screen to ensure its accuracy.
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Confirm your understanding and consent to the indicated terms by ticking the box.
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Click ‘Submit’.
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Your request will be displayed on the ‘Application for defined CoS – submitted’ screen.
Please note that this process is specific to applying for a defined Certificate of Sponsorship and is in accordance with the instructions outlined in the SMS Guide 12.
Assigning undefined Certificates of SponsorshipÂ
The steps to assign a defined Certificate of Sponsorship are outlined in the Home Office SMS Guide 8:
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Access the Workers screen in the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
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Choose ‘Create and Assign’ from the options available.
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Select the appropriate visa category for the CoS on the ‘Create and assign CoS’ interface.
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Provide employment details on the ‘Application for defined CoS – employment details’ page and click ‘Save’.
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Verify the accuracy of the information on the ‘Confirmation of saved CoS’ screen. Use the ‘Amend’ option to make any necessary changes.
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Select ‘Assign’ to proceed.
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On the ‘Confirm CoS details before assigning’ screen, review and ensure the correctness of all information.
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Confirm your understanding and consent to the indicated terms by ticking the box. Then select ‘Assign CoS’.
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You will be redirected to the Online payment screen to pay the CoS fee and, if applicable, the immigration skills charge.
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After completing the payment, you will be redirected back to the SMS. On the ‘Single CoS assigned’ screen, you can see that the CoS has been assigned and assigned a unique CoS number.
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The request number will also be displayed on the ‘Application for defined CoS – submitted’ screen.
If you have a licence with a provisional rating, please note that only one certificate of sponsorship can be assigned to the authorising officer to allow them entry into the UK. To assign additional certificates of sponsorship, you should upgrade your licence to an A-rating and use the SMS to request more.
How long does it take to get a Certificate of Sponsorship?
Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are typically approved within one working day. However, it may take longer if the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) need to carry out further checks on the information in your application. Defined certificates will appear in your SMS account once they have been approved. You can then assign them to a worker.
What is the Sponsorship Management System?
The Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is an online platform provided by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to facilitate the management of sponsorship processes for skilled worker visa applicants and sponsor licence holders in accordance with UK immigration rules.
The SMS enables sponsor licence holders to perform various tasks related to sponsorship, including the allocation and management of certificates of sponsorship (CoS). A certificate of sponsorship is a crucial document required for individuals seeking skilled worker visas to work in the UK.
Through the SMS, sponsors can apply for both defined and undefined certificates of sponsorship, track the status of applications, and assign certificates to prospective employees. The system also allows sponsors to request additional CoS if needed.
Moreover, the SMS provides a platform for sponsors to fulfill their sponsorship duties, such as reporting changes in employment status or contact details, ensuring compliance with immigration rules and regulations, and paying the applicable sponsorship costs, including the immigration skills charge.
By using the Sponsorship Management System, sponsors can efficiently manage their sponsorship responsibilities, maintain a valid sponsor licence, and ensure compliance with the UKVI and Home Office requirements throughout the visa application process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is a vital tool for managing the sponsorship process in the UK, adhering to immigration rules and facilitating the issuance of certificates of sponsorship (CoS). This system plays a crucial role in supporting skilled worker visa applicants and sponsor licence holders.
Through the SMS, sponsors can navigate the complexities of the UK visa application process, allocate both defined and undefined certificates of sponsorship, and monitor the progress of applications. It allows sponsors to fulfill their sponsorship duties, maintain a valid sponsor licence, and comply with the requirements set by the UK Visas and Immigration.
The SMS ensures efficiency in handling visa extensions, requesting additional CoS, and managing the sponsorship costs, including the immigration skills charge. By utilizing this management system, sponsors can successfully navigate the process of employing skilled foreign workers, ensuring compliance, and facilitating smooth communication with the Home Office.
Overall, the Sponsorship Management System empowers sponsors to effectively manage their sponsorship obligations, contribute to the UK workforce with skilled workers, and promote economic growth while maintaining a high standard of immigration control and regulation.
Frequently asked questions
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