Applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship
In 2026, many business owners will be considering their staffing levels and how to ensure they have the overseas talent needed to meet their business objectives.
If you are considering applying for a sponsor licence, or already hold one and are grappling with the sponsor licence rule changes, our UK Immigration Solicitors can tell you everything you need to know about applying for and allocating certificates of sponsorship.
Contact OTS Solicitors Today for Expert Sponsor Licence Advice.
What is a certificate of sponsorship?
A certificate of sponsorship (CoS) is a digital reference. Confusingly, despite its name, it is not a certificate or document.
Without a CoS, an overseas recruit requiring sponsorship cannot apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The CoS contains the necessary information about the recruit’s job offer. It's essential because, without a suitable job, the overseas worker will not be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa or other sponsored Work Visa, such as the Global Mobility Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.
Types of certificates of sponsorship
There are two types of CoS:
- Defined.
- Undefined.
The first step in converting a successful job applicant who is subject to UK immigration control into a sponsored employee is to understand the difference between the two types of CoS and determine which type to assign.
Defined certificates of sponsorship
A defined CoS is typically used where:
- An overseas-based recruit is applying for their first Skilled Worker Visa, and
- The application is being made from overseas.
Key personnel must request a defined CoS from the Home Office. There are allocation limits. Until the defined certificate is obtained, recruitment is stalled, as the recruit cannot apply for their Skilled Worker Visa without the digital reference number.
Information needed for a defined certificate of sponsorship
To obtain a defined CoS on the SMS system, the employer needs to supply information about the job and the recruit, including:
- The sponsorship route, such as the Health and Care Worker Visa or Skilled Worker Visa.
- The recruit's personal details and details of any agency used in the recruitment process.
- The job description, code, hours of work, and salary.
- The employment start date.
- If the employment is time-limited, the employment end date.
Undefined certificates of sponsorship
An undefined CoS is typically used where:
- An existing sponsored employee is applying to extend their Skilled Worker Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, or other sponsored Work Visa.
- An individual on a sponsored work route is changing jobs and requires a new Work Visa.
With an undefined CoS, key personnel do not need to request the CoS from the Home Office. The key personnel can assign a CoS without delay, provided they have sufficient unallocated and undefined CoS.
Obtaining undefined certificates of sponsorship
An employer with a sponsor licence has an annual allocation of undefined certificates of sponsorship, and is expected to use them to sponsor overseas workers requiring an undefined CoS.
Each year, an employer must request an additional annual allocation via the SMS system. This requires planning, as the employer needs to know the approximate number of recruits on a Skilled Worker Visa or another sponsored route.
The annual allocation request can be challenging to assess, as an employer’s recruitment plans may be based on new contracts or staff departures, and there may be uncertainty about whether it will be possible to recruit British workers to fill the vacancies.
The annual CoS allocation is valid for 12 months. Unused certificates cannot be carried forward to the following year.
Some sponsor licence holders may run out of their undefined CoS allocation during the year. The rules allow employers to submit an in-year request for an additional allocation via the SMS system. These applications take time, so a careful eye needs to be kept on CoS allocation throughout the year to ensure the in-year application can be submitted in sufficient time to avoid recruitment delays.
The Home Office requires substantial information to decide on an in-year allocation request. The success of the in-year allocation request depends on the quality of the information provided. Accordingly, care and attention to detail are required to maximise the chance of additional in-year, undefined CoS allocation.
Some of the information the Home Office will require includes:
- The type of business, trading history, and number of employees.
- The justification for the in-year request.
- History of interaction with the Home Office.
- Use of any agencies to recruit workers so the Home Office can check their history of working with the Home Office.
Pitfalls of getting a certificate of sponsorship allocation wrong
Getting the CoS assignment wrong can lead to:
- Delays in the recruitment and onboarding of the new employee.
- The sponsor licence being placed at risk through not following Home Office guidance. The ultimate sanction is revocation of the sponsor licence.
- The recruit having reservations about their new employment.
- Problems with meeting contracted deadlines if the recruit's start date is time-critical to projects.
Sponsorship Licence Lawyers can provide bespoke certificate of sponsorship training to help key personnel understand the differences between defined and undefined CoS and how to allocate them.
The certificate of sponsorship assignment process
- Check the role you are recruiting to fill is an occupation that qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa.
- Ensure that the job description matches the occupation code.
- Double-check that the salary offered to the recruit meets the required minimum salary requirement for the relevant job and Skilled Worker Visa.
- Check whether the recruit requires a defined or an undefined CoS.
- If a defined CoS is required, apply to the Home Office.
- Assign the defined or undefined CoS to the recruit.
- Provide the recruit with the CoS digital reference so they can submit their Skilled Worker Visa application.
- Ensure that the recruit's details are recorded on the sponsor management system.
- Make sure a right-to-work check is carried out before the recruit commences employment.
- Diary up the requirement for a repeat right to work check.
Once a recruit is informed that they have passed the interview process, it's essential that they understand the likely timescales for CoS assignment and the Work Visa application process.
Delay and assigning a certificate of sponsorship
The immigration rules require a CoS to be assigned within three months. If it isn't, the process must be restarted.
Delay in using a certificate of sponsorship
An overseas recruit must not apply for their Work Visa more than three months before the job start date listed on the CoS.
The cost of a certificate of sponsorship
The current cost of a CoS is £525. This fee cannot be recouped from the visa applicant. Nor can an employer recover the immigration skills charge if the recruit is recruited to fill a job for which payment of the immigration skills charge is required.
Questions about the certificate of sponsorship assignment process
Assigning a CoS is an essential step in the sponsored recruitment process. UK Immigration Solicitors can manage the process for you, starting with the sponsor licence application, auditing files to ensure reporting and record-keeping compliance, and assisting with CoS assignment and onboarding in compliance with sponsor licence management requirements.
Talk to OTS Solicitors
By entrusting the sponsor licence process to the business immigration team at OTS Solicitors, you can be confident your organisation can recruit the people it needs to continue growing and meet customer expectations throughout 2026 and beyond.
You can be confident in your choice of OTS Solicitors because:
- The firm is recognised for its immigration work in the 2026 editions of Legal 500 and Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession.
- Our Sponsorship Licence Lawyers specialise in sponsor licence law from applications, troubleshooting, help with specific questions, to bespoke training.
- Expert immigration legal advice tailored to your business and the sector and regulations in which you operate.
- We have an excellent track record in sponsor licence application success.
- We provide a full Sponsor Licence Management Service for businesses looking for a comprehensive service to ease the pressure of sponsorship.
Contact OTS Solicitors Today for Expert Sponsor Licence Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions on Certificates of Sponsorship.
What does a certificate of sponsorship do?
A CoS provides a Home Office official with the employment information needed to assess a Skilled Worker Visa application. The CoS advises the Home Office that the employer intends to sponsor the Work Visa applicant, that the role the recruit is filling meets the salary and other requirements, and that the employer will comply with the sponsorship requirements.
Does the assignment of a CoS guarantee a successful Skilled Worker Visa application?
Assigning a CoS is a necessary first step in the sponsored Work Visa application process, but it does not guarantee approval. An applicant may not meet the English language requirement or may have a poor immigration record, such as overstaying a previous visa or breaching work conditions while studying as an international student on a Student Visa.
Who can assign a certificate of sponsorship?
Assignment of the CoS is handled via the SMS system. The assignment can be completed by a Level 1 or Level 2 user.
How much does a certificate of sponsorship cost?
Each CoS costs £525. If the fee is not paid, the Home Office will cancel the CoS, and the recruit will be unable to apply for their Skilled Worker Visa. The cost is in addition to the immigration skills charge and the visa application fee. The overseas recruit may be asked to pay the Work Visa application fee, but the costs of the CoS and the immigration skills charge cannot be recovered from the employee.
Contact OTS Solicitors Today for Expert Sponsor Licence Advice.
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