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Certificates of Sponsorship
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an essential document necessary for sponsoring skilled workers to work in the United Kingdom. It serves as a formal confirmation from an employer certifying various details such as the job role, salary, and the duration of employment offered to the prospective employee. Without a valid CoS, individuals seeking to apply for a Tier 2 visa to work in the UK will not be able to proceed with their visa application.
The CoS plays a critical role in the UK’s immigration system by ensuring that employers adhere to specific guidelines and regulations when hiring international talent. It helps verify that job roles offered to foreign workers meet certain criteria and that there are no suitable local candidates available to fill those positions.
Employers must obtain a CoS through the Home Office’s Sponsor Management System before they can sponsor non-EEA nationals for employment in the UK. The process involves providing detailed information about the job vacancy, including its skill level, salary, and benefits package. Furthermore, the CoS is assigned a unique reference number that applicants must include in their visa application to link it to the job offer. This document acts as proof that the individual has been endorsed by a licensed sponsor and meets the requirements for working in the UK under the Tier 2 visa category.
Overall, understanding the significance of a Certificate of Sponsorship is crucial for both employers looking to hire overseas talent and individuals seeking employment opportunities in the UK. It ensures transparency in the recruitment process and compliance with immigration laws, benefiting all parties involved in facilitating legal and legitimate work arrangements.
Types of Certificate of Sponsorship
Certificates of Sponsorship (COS) play a crucial role in the immigration system, particularly in the UK. Different types of COS are tailored to meet specific requirements and serve different purposes. For instance, the Tier 2 General COS is designed for skilled workers, while the Tier 5 COS caters to temporary workers seeking opportunities in the UK.
Each type of COS corresponds to distinct visa categories like the Skilled Worker Visa or the Temporary Worker Visa, ensuring that individuals are matched with the appropriate visa based on their skills and intended duration of stay.
Employers holding a sponsorship licence have the flexibility to issue a varying number of COS based on their specific needs and capacity. It is essential for employers and HR professionals to understand these nuances within the COS system to effectively manage sponsorships and ensure compliance with immigration regulations. By comprehending the intricacies of each type of COS and its alignment with corresponding visa categories, employers can navigate the sponsorship process smoothly and facilitate the entry of foreign workers into the UK for various roles and durations.
Who needs a Certificate of Sponsorship?
In the UK, individuals from outside the EEA and Switzerland who wish to work for a UK employer that holds a sponsorship license need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to apply for a Tier 2 visa. The employer must assign the CoS to the employee before they can apply for the visa.
How much does a Certificate of Sponsorship cost?
A Certificate of Sponsorship cost varies based on the type of application. For a Tier 2 (General) visa, it’s typically £536 for small companies and charities, and £1999 for large companies per year. Additional fees may apply for other categories.
Certificate of Sponsorship allocations
Certificate of Sponsorship allocations refer to the designated number of certificates assigned to sponsoring employers. The Home Office approves these allocations as part of the Sponsor Licence application process. This allocation establishes the sponsor’s ability to issue certificates to potential employees for visa applications.
It is crucial for sponsors to manage their allocations carefully to ensure they meet the needs of skilled worker visa applicants. These allocations are managed through the Sponsorship Management System, providing accurate control and oversight.
How to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship
To assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, the sponsor must log into their Sponsorship Management System (SMS) account online. Next, the sponsor needs to enter the necessary information about the skilled worker, including their job description and the type of visa required.
After completing the details, the sponsor generates the Certificate of Sponsorship. Each Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned a unique reference number for tracking purposes. Once issued, the sponsor can provide this certificate to the prospective employees for their UK visa application.
Annual CoS year
The Annual Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) year runs from December to November. During this period, sponsors can request a specific number of CoS for their prospective employees. The allocation of CoS is subject to the sponsor’s eligibility criteria and their sponsor rating. Sponsors need to carefully manage their allocation throughout the year to ensure they have sufficient CoS for visa applications. It’s crucial for sponsors to plan ahead and monitor their CoS usage effectively to avoid any disruptions in sponsoring foreign workers.
How long does it take to get a Certificate of Sponsorship?
Obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship typically takes around 8 weeks. Factors like application complexity or additional documents may affect the processing time.
How to cancel a Certificate of Sponsorship
To cancel a Certificate of Sponsorship, the Authorising Officer or Level 1 User within the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) should log in to their account. They can then select the specific Certificate of Sponsorship to be cancelled and follow the prompts to complete the process. Once the cancellation is confirmed, the Certificate of Sponsorship becomes invalid, and the sponsored migrant can no longer use it for visa applications or entry into the UK.
Applying for a sponsorship licence
To apply for a sponsorship licence, an organisation must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. This entails completing an online application, providing the necessary information, and paying the required fee. The sponsor management system (SMS) account is crucial for managing sponsorship duties. Upon submission, the organisation may receive a provisional rating, and if successful, they will be granted a sponsor licence, allowing them to issue certificates of sponsorship to skilled worker visa applicants.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Further Questions
What is the Sponsorship Management System?
The Sponsorship Management System is an online system used by sponsors to manage their sponsor licence. It allows for assigning Certificates of Sponsorship, tracking migrant activity, and ensuring compliance with immigration rules. This system streamlines the sponsorship process for employers.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a virtual document issued by employers in the UK to sponsor skilled workers from overseas for a job. It contains details like job description, salary, and start date, supporting visa applications. CoS are crucial for non-EEA nationals seeking to work in the UK.
Who issues the Certificate of Sponsorship?
The Certificate of Sponsorship is issued by the UK Visas and Immigration Department. It serves as a virtual document with a unique reference number that employers use to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. The authority to issue CoS lies solely with the sponsoring employer.
How do I issue a Certificate of Sponsorship?
To issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, your organisation must hold a valid sponsor licence and have access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The sponsor’s nominated Level 1 or Level 2 user should submit the relevant information about the role into the SMS, and a unique reference number
(the CoS) will be issued. Applications for a defined certificate are generally approved within one
working day, but can take longer if the UKVI needs to check further information contained within the
application.
Defined certificates will appear in the SMS account once they have been approved, and you can then assign them to your worker. It’s important to note that Certificates of Sponsorship are not transferrable, and reassigning a CoS to another individual would be considered a breach of your
sponsorship licence duties.
To allocate a Certificate of Sponsorship, your organisation must hold a valid sponsor licence and
have access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The sponsor’s nominated Level 1 or Level 2 user should submit the necessary information about the role into the SMS, and a unique reference number (the CoS) will be issued. Applications for a defined certificate are generally approved within one working day, although it may take longer if the UKVI requires further clarification of the
information provided.
Once approved, the defined CoS will appear in the SMS account, and you can then assign it to your worker. It’s important to note that a CoS cannot be transferred to another individual, as doing so would be a breach of your sponsorship licence duties.
How long does a Certificate of Sponsorship take?
Processing the user’s request, here is the content for the H2/H3: ‘The processing time for a
Certificate of Sponsorship varies but typically takes around 8 weeks. Planning ahead and submitting
all required documents can help expedite the process. Delays may occur based on individual circumstances.’
Do I need a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is needed by individuals applying for UK leave to enter or remain under UK sponsored work visa categories, including the Skilled Worker visa, Temporary Worker visa, and other specific visa routes such as Global Business Mobility visas, Scale Up visa, Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Creative Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange,
International Agreement, and Seasonal Worker. It is essential to have a CoS assigned before making a visa application in these categories.
However, there are some immigration routes that do not require sponsorship, but other eligibility
criteria will apply. It’s important to check the specific requirements for the type of visa you are applying for to determine if a Certificate of Sponsorship is necessary.
A Certificate of Sponsorship is needed by individuals applying for UK leave to enter or remain under UK sponsored work visa categories, including the Skilled Worker visa, Global Business Mobility visas, Scale Up visa, Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Scale-up Worker, Creative Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and Seasonal
Worker. These individuals must have a CoS assigned before making their visa application.
However, it’s important to note that not all immigration routes require sponsorship, and other eligibility criteria may apply. It’s essential to understand the specific requirements for the type of visa you are applying for to determine if a Certificate of Sponsorship is necessary.
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