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Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is essential when sponsoring workers for UK work visas. It’s a digital record confirming the job role, salary and licence status not a physical document.
If your organisation needs to issue a CoS (whether defined or undefined) or ensure compliance under UK immigration law, our expert immigration solicitors can guide you every step of the way.
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A Certificate of Sponsorship is a reference number that a person who wants to get a supported work visa is given by the person who wants to sponsor them. It is not a physical document, but a computer record. The CoS is needed before you can apply for a visa in the Worker and Temporary Worker categories. These include the Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, and Scale Up Worker paths.
When a sponsor gives a CoS to a person, they are telling the Home Office that the planned job conditions meet the needs of the relevant visa route.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in the UK
Purpose & Nature
A CoS is an electronic record with a reference number, not a physical certificate. It ties a job offer to a foreign worker under UK visa routes.
Assignment Deadline
Once a CoS is assigned, the worker must apply for their visa within three months.
Requesting Defined CoS
Must be submitted via SMS and approved by UKVI before being assigned. Processing usually occurs within a working day (unless further checks needed).
Undefined CoS Allocation
Employers must estimate in their licence application how many undefined CoS they will need. These are then drawn from their allocated pool.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee paid by most visa and immigration applicants for over six months to access the National Health Service (NHS). It is not required for British citizenship applications, as permanent residents contribute via taxes like National Insurance.
The cost per certificate depends on route and licence type. For example, a CoS for a Worker (excluding International Sportsperson) currently costs £525 on assignment.
When applying for a Spouse visa, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to cover your healthcare costs while in the UK. Since February 2024, the surcharge has been £1,035 per year, following a 86% increase. For in-country application, it will be for 30 months and out-country application, it will be for 33 months.
‘Defined’ CoS applies to overseas workers entering the UK; ‘Undefined’ applies to existing residents switching visas.
British citizenship applications are typically processed within six months. However, some applications may take longer, especially if more information or checks are required by the Home Office.
A CoS must be used within three months of issue and the visa application submitted within that period.
This visa allows you to get married or register a civil partnership, but you cannot work, study, or live in the UK. You must use this visa solely to visit and get married.
Incorrect use or expired CoS entries can trigger sponsor licence suspension or civil penalties expert oversight is essential.
Expert Guidance
Issuing a valid Certificate of Sponsorship is a critical compliance step for employers
Any errors whether in licence status, CoS type, job details or timing risk licence suspension or refusal of visa applications.
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From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
-
Home Office compliance checks
-
Success rate optimisation
-
Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
Work With Trusted, SRA-Regulated UK Immigration Experts
Your immigration journey is too important to risk on unqualified or unregulated help. Every case we handle is prepared by SRA-regulated solicitors who apply structured legal reasoning, precise documentation checks and full compliance with Home Office and UKVI rules.
Our accreditations are your assurance that you are working with a reputable, experienced and highly trained legal team. We combine decades of immigration expertise with strict professional standards to give you clarity, confidence and complete peace of mind — no matter which visa or application route you are pursuing.
What is Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a reference number that a person who wants to get a supported work visa is given by the person who wants to sponsor them. It is not a physical document, but a computer record.
The CoS is needed before you can apply for a visa in the Worker and Temporary Worker categories. These include the Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, and Scale Up Worker paths.
When a sponsor gives a CoS to a person, they are telling the Home Office that the planned job conditions meet the needs of the relevant visa route.
There are a lot of strict rules about how to give out the CoS. Take the CoS as an example. The worker must use it to apply for a visa within three months of getting it. However, the worker must submit their visa application no later than three months prior to the start date of the job specified on the COS.
Types of Certificate of Sponsorship UK
The Home Office changed the visa rules in December 2020 so that “restricted” and “unrestricted” CoS could no longer be used. These were changed to “defined” and “undefined” CoS.
Defined CoS
Defined certificates are only for people seeking a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK. If you have a sponsor licence and want to give out a set CoS, you will need to apply through the online Sponsorship Management System (SMS). If UKVI agrees with the application, it can be given to the foreign worker so that they can apply for a visa. Usually, applications for defined CoSs are handled within one business day.
Undefined CoS
If you are looking for a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, or for any other type of sponsored visa, you will need an undefined certificate. When you apply to be a sponsoring company, you will be asked to guess how many undefined certificates you will need in the first year of sponsorship. It is possible to get this number raised by sending a request through SMS.
Who requires a Certificate of Sponsorship in UK?
People who want to join or stay in the UK on a sponsored work visa must have a Certificate of Sponsorship. This includes:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Scale Up visa
- Global Business Mobility visas
- Minister of Religion
- Scale-up Worker
- International Sportsperson
- Creative Worker
- Government Authorised Exchange
- Religious Worker
- Seasonal Worker
- International Agreement
Allocation of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
CoS allocation means that you can only issue a certain number of certificates each year. According to UKVI, when you apply for your sponsor licence for the first time, they will ask you to guess how many Undefined CoS you will need in the first year for each route you have a licence for. You will have to explain why you think you will need that many as part of this process. This is how much CoS you will get for the first year if your request is approved. You have one year to use your certificate. After that, this can be extended every year.
Undefined Sponsorship Certificate
There is no limit to the amount of undefined sponsorship certificates that can be obtained.
If your situation changes during the year, you can renew your yearly allocation or ask for more Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship at any time. Some situations where you might need an extra Certificate of Sponsorship are when a sponsored worker needs to move to a different type of visa or when they need to stay in the UK longer.
If you want to sponsor people from outside of the country, they need a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship and follow a different process, so you don’t need to include them in the estimate.
Defined Certificate of Sponsorship
These certificates are available in unlimited numbers, unlike the old CoS rules. Sponsors also don’t have to apply on the first business day after the fifth of every month.
You can apply for a CoS at any time for a foreign worker who needs one.
When you ask for a COS allocation, you need to clearly state the job openings you want to fill, include any relevant information about the worker, and explain how they were chosen for the role.
How to Give a UK Certificate of Sponsorship?
Your company needs to have a current sponsor licence and be able to access the Sponsor Management System (SMS) in order to give out a Certificate of Sponsorship.
The sponsor’s chosen Level one or Level two user should send the job information through SMS, and a unique reference number (the CoS) will be sent back to them.
Most applications for a defined certificate are approved within one business day. However, it may take longer if the UKVI needs to check more details in the application.
Once defined certificates have been accepted, they will show up in your SMS account. You can then give them to your worker.
After three months, the worker uses the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for a visa.
Transferring a Certificate of Sponsorship is not possible. If you gave the CoS to someone else, you would be breaking the terms of your sponsorship licence, and the Home Office could take action against the organisation.
Applying for defined sponsorship certificates
Want to get a specific Certificate of Sponsorship? You need to have an A-rated licence.
The steps needed to give a defined CoS are spelled out in the Home Office SMS Guide 12:
- Users at level one or level two log in to the SMS.
- Go to the Workers screen and click on “Defined CoS.”
- Click on “Apply for a Defined CoS.”
- Pick the type of CoS you need and type in the number of CoS you need.
- On the page that says “Application for defined CoS—employment details,” enter all of your job information.
- Make sure the information is correct on the approval screen.
- Check the box to show that you have read, understood, and agreed to all of the rules.
- Click on “Submit.”
- It will show up on the screen that says “Application for defined CoS—submitted.”
Giving out Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship
The steps needed to give a undefined CoS are spelled out in the Home Office SMS Guide eight:
- The Workers screen has a button that says “Create and Assign.”
- On the “Create and assign CoS” screen, choose the type of visa for the COS.
- On the page that says “Application for defined CoS—employment details,” enter information about your job. After that, click “Save.”
- Make sure the information on the “Confirmation of saved CoS” screen is correct. To make changes, click “Amend.”
- Select on “Assign.”
- The “Confirm CoS details before assigning” screen will show up. This is where you can make sure that all the information is right.
- Check the box to show that you have read, understood, and agreed to all of the rules. Click on “Assign CoS.”
- You will be taken to a screen where you can pay the Correspondence Skills fee and, if necessary, the Immigration Skills fee online.
- Once the payment is complete, you will be taken to an SMS and a screen that says “Single CoS assigned.” On this screen, you will find that the CoS has been assigned and given a unique CoS number.
- You will also see your request number on the “Application for defined CoS – submitted” interface.
When an employer has a licence with a provisional rating, they can only give one proof of sponsorship to the person who is letting them into the UK. After that, you should get an A-rating for your licence and use the SMS to ask for more sponsorship certificates.
Annual CoS year
Every year, a supporter licence is given out for 12 months. This starts from the date the licence was issued or the date the last renewal application was approved.
When you apply for the licence, you will need to guess and ask for how many undefined CoS you will use in the next 12 months. You may need to give more information to back up your request and explain why this number is important.
If accepted, the Home Office will issue the COS to your SMS. You have 12 months to use these within that time frame. You can ask for more CoS if you use up all of your supply.
Documents Required for the Certificate of Sponsorship
It is not necessary to upload papers to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) when asking for or assigning Certificates of Sponsorship. Instead, you will need to fill out a CoS application form straight in the SMS, which asks for information about your job, such as:
- Dates of work
- Title of the job
- Type of job
- A brief outline of the job
- Gross pay, which doesn’t include any bonuses or allowances
- The job’s eligibility for a certain occupation code
Please keep in mind that you need a current sponsor licence to ask for the Certificate of Sponsorship in an SMS. Check out our Sponsor Licence page to see what paperwork you need to apply for a Sponsor Licence.
How much does CoS Cost?
Sponsors must pay a fee in order to give a worker a Certificate of Sponsorship. The amount of the fee will depend on factors like the type of visa being sought and the length of time the COS is in place. For instance, a Skilled Worker visa COS costs £239, while a Temporary Worker visa COS costs £25.
Here is a table with the most up-to-date CoS fees for sponsors:
Licence Type | Cost of CoS |
Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – large sponsors | £25,000 |
Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – small sponsors | £8,000 |
Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Student sponsors | £8,000 |
A worker sponsor or temporary worker sponsor can ask for their sponsorship management request to be processed more quickly. | £200 |
Priority service for faster handling of applications for sponsor licences | £500 |
Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor ) | £1,476 |
Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 |
Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £536 |
Student sponsor licence | £536 |
Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 |
Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 |
Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence | £536 |
Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 |
Sponsor action plan | £1,476 |
Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence | £940 |
Endorsement fee for a Scale-up sponsor licence under Endorsing Body Pathway (payable to the endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,500 |
Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £25 |
Student sponsor basic compliance assessment | £536 |
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): T2 Minister of Religion, Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker | £239 |
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Over 12 Months | £239 |
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route, UK Expansion Worker, and Scale-up route | £25 |
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Up to 12 months or less | £25 |
Depending on the type of application, there may be extra fees, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge and the visa application fee.
How much time does it take to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship?
It usually takes one working day to get approval for a specific COS, but it can take longer if the Home Office needs more information to be clarified.
UK Expansion Workers’ Sponsorship Certificates
Employers who have a provisional sponsor licence can only give one proof of sponsorship to their designated Authorising Officer at first so that person can come to the UK. Once they have their visa, the company’s licence can be raised to an A-rating, and the SMS can be used to ask for up to four more certificates of help.
How To Cancel A Sponsorship Certificate?
With the SMS, you can cancel a Certificate of Sponsorship that has been given. Under “Sponsorship duties,” the sponsor should go to “Manage live CoS,” enter the necessary CoS information, and then click “withdraw CoS.” Therefore, the CoS will be cancelled in cases where the person no longer needs it.
Overview of Sponsorship Management System
(SMS)
Sponsor Management System (SMS) is used by all companies that have been given a sponsor licence by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to make sure they follow the rules for their sponsor licence.
The Home Office runs a safe online portal that only certain people in the organisation are allowed to view.
Sponsor licence holders have to follow a strict set of tasks and responsibilities, which include reporting, keeping records, and keeping an eye on things. The main goal is to stop illegal work.
Sponsors can use the SMS to ask for and give Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to workers they are sponsoring and to let the Home Office know about any changes.
As a sponsor licence user, you must use the SMS correctly for what it was made for. If you don’t, your sponsor licence could be downgraded, suspended, or taken away. Because of this, you might not be able to hire foreign workers anymore. You could also face criminal charges or a fine of up to $500 per breach if it turns out that you hired someone who wasn’t authorised to work for you.
The SMS can only be accessed and used by a small group of people. The names for these are:
Authorising Officers: This is the highest-ranking person in your company who is in charge of hiring foreign workers and meeting sponsor responsibilities. The Authorising User also decides who can see the SMS, how much access they should have, and what steps other SMS users can take.
- Key contact: This person is the main person the sponsoring group talks to at the Home Office.
- Level 1: These are the level one users who are responsible for daily sponsorship jobs.
- Level 2: These users are also in charge of daily sponsorship tasks, but they don’t have as many rights and powers as Level one users.
On a practical note, level one and level two users are the only ones who can normally receive the SMS. But if needed, they can give the Authorising Officer or Key Contact level one or level two access.
External third parties, like immigration lawyers helping with sponsor licence compliance, can also be given access to Level one
Get Help From UK Immigration Solicitors
Our highly skilled immigration solicitors can help you get a Certificate of Sponsorship. We provide services to assist you apply for a Sponsor Licence and advice to make sure you do what you need to do as a sponsor.
Call us today at 020 3384 4389 or send us an online message to learn more about our services or get help with your situation. Our offices are spread out across the UK, in cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. Looking forward to speaking to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic document that the sponsoring business gives to the worker so that they can apply for a visa and start working for the company. For each foreigner they support, sponsors must give that person a Certificate of Sponsorship.
A sponsor licence holder (employer) gives sponsored visa seekers a Certificate of Sponsorship so that they can apply for their work visa.
The online Sponsor Management System (SMS) will give the Certificate of Sponsorship to the worker’s sponsor.
The time it takes to get defined certificates of support is about a day.
Sponsored workers from other countries usually need to get a Certificate of Sponsorship from their backer before they can start working. There is a unique number on each licence that the worker can use to apply for a visa. The certificate is good for three months. There are some ways to immigrate that don’t need a supporter, but you still have to meet other requirements.
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