Certificate of Sponsorship UK: How It Works and How to Get It

If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa or Health and Care Worker visa, one of the most important things you’ll need is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

A CoS is not a paper certificate. It is a digital record created by a licensed UK sponsor that confirms the details of your job offer and allows you to apply for an eligible work visa.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a Certificate of Sponsorship is, who can issue one, how the process works, and the common mistakes to avoid.

This guide was last updated 29/04/2026 to reflect the latest UK work visa information.

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Quick Overview: Certificate of Sponsorship UK

A Certificate of Sponsorship is usually needed if you are applying for an eligible sponsored UK work visa.

In simple terms:

• your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence
• your employer assigns the CoS to you
• you use the CoS reference number in your visa application
• the job, salary, and occupation details on the CoS must match the visa rules

Without a valid CoS, you cannot apply under the main sponsored work routes.

What is Certificate of Sponsorship UK?

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record created by a licensed UK sponsor for a specific worker.

It contains important details such as:

• sponsor name
• job title
• occupation code
• salary
• work dates
• work location
• visa route

You do not receive a physical certificate. Instead, you use the CoS reference number when you submit your visa application.

A wide range of skilled jobs require a Certificate of Sponsorship UK. To qualify for a CoS, the job offered to the worker must meet certain criteria. Jobs listed in the UK’s shortage occupation list may have relaxed salary requirements and higher chances of approval for the CoS. These roles include healthcare professionals, engineers, and care workers.

A CoS allows individuals to apply for the following visas:

• Skilled Worker
• Health and Care Worker
• Scale-Up Visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

How to get Certificate of Sponsorship UK

If you are asking yourself how do I get a certificate of sponsorship in UK? The first important step is to make sure you are eligible. There are various requirements for a work visa such as occupation and salary.

Companies that sponsor visas UK

The employer must be an approved sponsor by the UK Government. Employers must apply for a sponsorship license to sponsor international workers. The employer will also be required to demonstrate their commitment to complying with UK immigration laws and reporting any changes regarding the sponsored employee.

To sponsor a worker, the employer must:

• hold the correct sponsor licence
• assign the correct type of CoS
• make sure the job is genuine
• make sure the role meets the relevant salary and skill requirements
• comply with sponsor record-keeping and reporting duties

Eligibility for Certificate of Sponsorship UK

You must also must meet the requirements for the specific visa you are applying for. This might include a visa for workers in specific fields like health, engineering, or education, which are all different UK work visas.

The job being offered must:

• Be listed on one of the following; Immigration Salary List UK / Skilled Worker Occupation List / Health and Education Occupation List
• Meet the minimum salary threshold for your specific occupation code.
• Match the skill level requirement set by the UK Government
• Be a genuine role and not created solely for the purpose of immigration.

Documents required for Certificate of Sponsorship UK

As an employee applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship UK, you will need to provide several key documents to support your application.

These documents typically include a valid passport or other travel document to confirm your identity and nationality. You need to provide proof of your job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, which should detail your job role, salary, and the sponsor’s licence number.

Evidence of your educational qualifications and professional certifications relevant to the job may also be required. If the job requires specific skills or experience, you might need to provide references or work history to demonstrate your suitability.

• a valid passport
• proof of English language ability where required
• proof of personal savings where required
• tuberculosis test results if applicable
• evidence of qualifications where relevant

Defined vs Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship

There is more than one type of Certificate of Sponsorship.

In general:

• a Defined CoS is used for most Skilled Worker applicants applying from outside the UK
• an Undefined CoS is usually used in other sponsored worker situations, including certain in-country cases, where the sponsor has allocation available

The type must match your application route. Using the wrong type can cause delays or refusal.

UK CoS Processing Time

CoS Processing Time

How long it takes to get a Certificate of Sponsorship depends on the route and whether the sponsor already has allocation available.

In many cases, a sponsor can assign a CoS fairly quickly once the job offer is confirmed. But if the sponsor needs extra allocation or if the Home Office carries out further checks, it can take longer.

Defined Certificate of Sponsorship applicants (for Skilled Workers applying from outside the UK) usually are processed within 1-2 working days. It can take longer and up to around 4 weeks if the UK Government requires further checks or information.

Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship applicants (for Skilled Workers already in the UK on other visa types) usually immediately as sponsors have an annual allocation that they can issue directly. However, if the sponsor needs additional allocations from the UK Government, processing can take around up to 10 weeks.

Certificate of Sponsorship UK Cost

A Certificate of Sponsorship involves a fee paid by the sponsor, and there may also be other employer-side sponsorship costs depending on the route.

Because sponsorship and visa fees can change, always check the latest official UK visa fee guidance before applying or accepting an offer.

Other costs associated when applying for a UK sponsor visa you must have enough money to pay for several parts of the process. The costs will depend on your personal circumstances and which work visa you decided to apply for. Each visa has a different application fee, you also have to factor in any dependants, length of stay and if you are switching from another visa type.

Other costs to factor in could be the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Work visas will require this charge which is £1,035 per year except the Health and Care Worker visa holders who are exempt.

Below are the most common costs when going through your application for a skilled work visa for UK:

• Visa application
• Healthcare Surcharge
• Flights to the UK
• Insurance
• Passport renewal or application
• Short-term accommodation
• Long-term accommodation
• International Shipping
• Pet transport
• Tests such as English Language or Tuberculosis

Certificate of Sponsorship UK Sample

CoS

Certificate of Sponsorship UK Jobs

Once you’ve confirmed your occupation is listed on the relevant visa occupation list and you’re eligible for sponsorship, the next step is finding an employer willing to sponsor you.

You can utilise websites such as Hays, Indeed, and NHS Recruitment to discover advertised jobs. To narrow your search, include “Sponsorship” in the search criteria to find roles from employers currently offering sponsorship opportunities. Reach out to companies you’re interested in by sending your CV and inquiring directly about potential sponsorship options. Additionally, many employers have a “Careers” section on their websites, enabling you to submit your CV proactively. This ensures your details are accessible in their candidate database, ready for consideration when suitable positions arise.

Another effective method is to look for international companies operating in both your home country and the UK. You can initially join the company in your home country and subsequently seek internal transfer opportunities to a UK-based office.

If you are still looking for an employer, start with our guide to companies that sponsor work visas in the UK.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common CoS problems include:

• using an expired CoS
• assigning the wrong occupation code
• salary figures that do not meet the route requirements
• using the wrong type of CoS
• mismatches between the CoS details and the visa application

Even small errors can lead to delays or refusal.

FAQs: Certificate of Sponsorship UK

❓ How long does it take to get a Certificate of Sponsorship UK?

Employers can usually assign a CoS within a few days once they have it available, though requesting a defined CoS can take longer.

❓ Can I change employers with my CoS?

Yes, but you will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your new sponsor.

❓ Does every Skilled Worker visa require a CoS?

Yes, a valid CoS is mandatory for all applicants under the Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker routes.

Unskilled Jobs with Visa Sponsorship UK

If your occupation isn’t listed in any of the three visa occupation lists mentioned earlier, then visa sponsorship opportunities won’t be available to you.

However, there are alternative UK work visas that don’t require a job offer or sponsorship.

If your occupation is not eligible for sponsorship, compare your alternatives in our guide to moving to the UK without a job offer.

Here are the top five most popular UK work visas that do not require a job offer:

Related Guides

A Certificate of Sponsorship is only one part of the process. These guides may help with the next steps:

👉 List of Companies That Sponsor Work Visas in the UK
👉 Shortage Occupation List UK
👉 Health and Care Worker Visa
👉 How to Move to the UK Without a Job

Have questions or want help choosing the right visa? Subscribe or explore more articles on UK visas and immigration tips.

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