Skilled Worker Certificate of sponsorship requirement – CoS

Before the skilled worker can submit their visa application, their UK sponsor employer must first issue them a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is official confirmation that the skilled worker has been given a job offer and that the employer believes they meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements.

A CoS is essentially a code number that the Skilled Worker visa applicant will need to provide when they submit their visa application to enter the UK. Only employers who hold a valid Sponsorship Licence can issue a CoS.

There are two types of Certificate of Sponsorship: A defined Certificate of Sponsorship or an undefined Certificate of Sponsorship. Under the old system these used to be called restricted and unrestricted CoS. The process changed on 1 December 2020.

  • Undefined CoS are for either:
    • workers already inside the UK with valid permission to stay who are applying to switch into the skilled worker category from another immigration route, or
    • those applying under one of the other visa routes from within the UK or overseas.
  • Defined CoS are for skilled workers who are out of the UK and wish to apply for a visa to enter the UK as a skilled worker.

A Sponsor must apply for the number of defined CoS that they need. This is a separate application which can only be made by sponsors who hold a valid Sponsorship Licence. They must provide details of the specific job and salary that will be paid when they apply for the defined CoS.

UKVI will allocate undefined CoS to sponsors on an annual basis. The number of CoS will depend on various factors including the size of the sponsor’s workforce and nature of their business. If a sponsor doesn’t use their CoS allocation, the unused CoS’s will be removed from the Sponsor Management System (SMS) at the end of every 12 month period. If necessary a sponsor can apply for extra undefined CoS’s during the year. Again this requires the sponsor to make an application and explain why they need these extra undefined CoS certificates.

If you are a UK employer thinking of employing non-UK citizens or if you are a Skilled Worker seeking to work in the UK, contact us or email us with your questions.