How to get Certificate of Sponsorship UK 2025 [CoS]

If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa, one of the first things you’ll need is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is not a paper certificate but a digital record issued by your UK employer, proving that they are licensed to sponsor migrant workers. Without a valid CoS, you cannot apply for your visa.

This guide explains everything you need to know about the Certificate of Sponsorship UK in 2025 — including who can issue it, how to apply, the cost, and common mistakes to avoid.

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What is Certificate of Sponsorship UK?

The Certificate of Sponsorship UK is an electronic reference number uniquely identifying a skilled worker. You must have CoS before you apply for a work visa as it contains information on your occupation and employer. Information that is stored on a CoS includes occupation, salary, start date and expiry date.

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 obtain a CoS an employer must:

• Hold a valid Sponsor License issued by the UK Government.
• Meet the compliance requirements, including maintaining accurate records of sponsored workers.
• Ensure that the job offered is at an appropriate skill level and meets the minimum salary requirements.
• Conduct a Resident Labour Market Test (if applicable) to confirm that no suitable settled worker is available for the job.

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 proof of payment by your employer that the application fee has been paid.

A Certificate of Sponsorship UK must contain:

Work Dates
Position Title
Employment Type
Job Description Summary
Gross Salary
Eligible Occupation Code

UK CoS Processing Time

How long does it take to get a Certificate of Sponsorship UK? The processing time will vary depending on your personal circumstances

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

How much does CoS cost in the UK? From the 9th of April 2025 the cost of a Certificate on Sponsorship UK will be £525.

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.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Expired CoS – must be used within 3 months of issue
• Incorrect job code – must match the Skilled Worker eligible roles list
• Salary too low – below the threshold, your visa will be refused
• Wrong type of CoS – defined vs undefined must match your application route

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.

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

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

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