How to Get a Certificate of Sponsorship to Work in the UK
If you want to work in the UK, you may need to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This document shows that you have a job offer from a UK employer and that the employer is willing to sponsor your stay in the country. To apply for a CoS, you must first have a job offer from a UK employer and meet specific immigration requirements.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a document that UK employer issues to a non-European Economic Area (EEA) national who wants to work in the UK. It is used as part of the application process for a Tier 2 Visa, which allows skilled workers to come to the UK to work. The CoS is a unique reference number assigned to the applicant and the job they have been offered. It is used to show that the applicant has been offered a job in the UK and that the employer is willing to sponsor their stay in the country.
Who Needs a Certificate of Sponsorship?
If you are a non-EEA national and you want to work in the UK, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship if:
- You have been offered a job in the UK that cannot be filled by a settled worker (a person who is already a citizen of the UK or has indefinite leave to remain).
- You are applying for a Tier 2 Visa to work in the UK.
Note that if you are an EEA national or a Swiss national, you do not need a CoS to work in the UK. You also do not need a CoS if you apply for a Tier 1 visa for highly skilled workers or investors. If unsure whether you need a CoS, you should check the UK government’s immigration rules or speak to a solicitor or immigration advisor.
Requirements for a Certificate of Sponsorship
To apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship, you must meet specific requirements. These requirements may vary depending on the type of job you have been offered and your circumstances. However, in general, you must:
- Have a job offer from a UK employer willing to sponsor you.
- Have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience for the job.
- Meet the minimum salary requirement for the job. This is currently set at £25,600 per year for most jobs, although there are some exceptions for certain occupations or if you have a Ph.D. relevant to the job.
- Meet the English language requirement. This means that you must either:
- Have a degree that was taught in English and have a minimum of a B2 level of English, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); or
- Have a certificate from an approved English language test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) that shows you have a minimum level of English proficiency. The required level depends on the job you have been offered and the type of Tier 2 Visa you are applying for. For most jobs and visas, the required level is a B1 level of English, as defined by the CEFR.
- Have enough money to support yourself and any dependents while you are in the UK. You must have at least £945 in savings unless you are exempt from this requirement (for example, if you are a student or your employer provides accommodation for you). This is known as the maintenance requirement.
You should also note that there are annual limits on the number of CoS that can be issued to non-EEA nationals. This is known as the annual quota or the visa cap. If the annual quota has been reached, you may not be able to apply for a CoS even if you meet all of the other requirements. The quota is usually reset on April 6th of each year.
How to Apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship
If you have been offered a job in the UK and meet the requirements for a Certificate of Sponsorship, you can apply for a CoS through your employer. Your employer must request a CoS by logging in to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online system. They will need to provide information about the job offer and your details, qualifications, and experience. They will also need to pay a fee for the CoS. The fee depends on the job type and the sponsorship period’s length. It is currently £199 for a minor sponsor (an employer with a sponsorship license) and £1,476 for a significant sponsor (an employer with a premium sponsorship license).
Once the request for a CoS has been approved, you will be issued a unique reference number. You must provide this reference number when applying for a Tier 2 Visa. You should also keep a copy of the CoS for your records, as you may need to provide it to the UKVI or the Border Force when you enter the UK.
Documents Needed for a Certificate of Sponsorship
To apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Your passport or national identity card. You will need to provide a copy of the photograph page of your passport or national identity card.
- Evidence of your qualifications, skills, and experience. This may include copies of your educational certificates, professional qualifications, and work references. You should provide original or certified copies of these documents, which have been signed and dated by a person authorized to witness signatures (such as a solicitor or a notary public).
- Evidence of your English language proficiency, if required. This may include a certificate from an approved English language test or a letter from your educational institution confirming that your degree was taught in English.
- Evidence of your maintenance funds, if required. This may include bank statements or other financial documents showing you have at least £945 in savings. Suppose you are exempt from the maintenance requirement. In that case, you will need to provide evidence of this exemption (such as a letter from your employer confirming that they will provide accommodation for you).
It would be best if you also were prepared to provide any other documents that the UKVI may request to assess your application. This may include documents proving your identity, nationality, or relationship to any dependents you have. If you are applying for a Tier 2 Visa, you will need to provide these documents as part of your visa application.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Certificate of Sponsorship?
The processing time for a Certificate of Sponsorship varies depending on the workload of the UKVI and the complexity of your application. Generally, you should allow at least eight weeks for your employer to request a CoS and for the UKVI to process your application. However, it may take longer if your application is incomplete, if you need to provide additional documents, or if your employer needs to obtain a sponsorship license.
You should also be aware that annual limits on the number of CoS can be issued to non-EEA nationals. The quota is usually reset on April 6th of each year. If the annual quota has been reached, you may have to wait until the quota is reset before you can apply for a CoS.
What Happens After You Get a Certificate of Sponsorship?
Once you have received a Certificate of Sponsorship, you can use it to apply for a Tier 2 Visa. You will need to complete the online visa application form, pay the visa fee, and make an appointment at a visa application center to provide your biometric information (such as your fingerprints and a digital photograph). You will also need to provide the following documents as part of your visa application:
- Your passport or national identity card.
- A copy of your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Evidence of your qualifications, skills, and experience.
- Evidence of your English language proficiency, if required.
- Evidence of your maintenance funds, if required.
- Any other documents that the UKVI may request.
It would be best if you also were prepared to attend an interview with the UKVI as part of your visa application. The interview will be conducted in English, and you may be asked questions about your job offer, qualifications, and plans while in the UK. If you are successful, your Tier 2 Visa will be granted for a maximum of 5 years, or the length of your employment contract (whichever is shorter). You can then use your Tier 2 Visa to travel to the UK and start work in your sponsored job.
Conclusion
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a document that a UK employer issues to a non-EEA national who wants to work in the UK. It is used as part of the application process for a Tier 2 Visa, which allows skilled workers to come to the UK to work. To apply for a CoS, you must have a job offer from a UK employer and meet specific immigration requirements, including the minimum salary requirement, the English language requirement, and the maintenance requirement. You can apply for a CoS through your employer, who will need to request it on your behalf and pay a fee. You will also need to provide certain documents, including your passport or national identity card, evidence of your qualifications, skills, experience, and English language proficiency (if required). Once you have received a CoS, you can apply for a Tier 2 Visa, allowing you to travel to the UK and start work in your sponsored job. The processing time for a CoS and a Tier 2 Visa can vary, and you may need to wait until the annual quota is reset if it has been reached.