Once your sponsor licence is approved, assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is the next step before your sponsored worker can apply for their Skilled Worker visa. Errors at this stage are a common cause of visa delays and refusals. This guide walks through the process step by step.
What Is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is not a physical document. It is a unique reference number generated in the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) that contains the details of the sponsored worker and the role they have been offered. The worker uses this reference number when making their Skilled Worker visa application. UKVI checks the CoS details as part of the visa assessment — any inconsistency between the CoS and the visa application can lead to a refusal.
Step 1: Confirm the Role Meets the Eligibility Requirements
Before beginning the CoS process, confirm that the role is eligible under the Skilled Worker route. Check the SOC code — the Standard Occupational Classification code — that most accurately describes the role. The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above on the approved occupation list. Check the going rate for that SOC code. The salary you offer must meet both the general threshold (£38,700) and the specific going rate, whichever is higher. Getting this wrong at the CoS stage means the visa will likely be refused.
Step 2: Check Your CoS Allocation
Your licence will have been granted with an allocation of undefined CoS (for workers already in the UK on another visa) or defined CoS (for workers applying from outside the UK). Check your SMS account to confirm you have the right type of CoS available. If you need more CoS than your current allocation allows, you can request additional allocation through the SMS portal — this can take up to 18 weeks so plan well in advance.
Step 3: Log In to the SMS and Begin the CoS Application
Your Level 1 SMS user logs into the portal and selects the option to assign a new CoS. You will be asked to enter details about the role and the worker. Take your time — this is not a form to rush. Errors in the CoS are difficult to correct after it has been assigned and used to make a visa application.
Step 4: Enter the Job Details Accurately
The job details section requires the job title, the SOC code, the weekly working hours, the gross annual salary, the start date and the work location. All of these must be accurate and must match the written job offer given to the worker. The salary must be the guaranteed basic salary — not including discretionary bonuses or allowances. The work location must reflect where the worker will actually work, not just the registered office address if the work will take place elsewhere.
Step 5: Enter the Worker's Personal Details
The personal details section requires the worker's full name (exactly as it appears on their passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number and current immigration status if they are already in the UK. Any discrepancy between the CoS personal details and the worker's passport will cause problems with the visa application. Check these details carefully against the actual passport before entering them.
Step 6: Pay the Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skills Charge is paid at the point of CoS assignment. The portal will calculate the charge based on the visa length and your sponsor size classification. For medium and large sponsors this is £1,000 per year of the visa; for small sponsors it is £364 per year. Payment is made by debit or credit card within the SMS portal. The CoS cannot be assigned until the ISC is paid.
Step 7: Assign the CoS and Send the Reference to the Worker
Once all details are confirmed and the ISC paid, the CoS is assigned and a unique reference number is generated. Send this reference number to the worker. They will need it to begin their visa application. The CoS reference is valid for 3 months — the worker must begin their visa application within that window.
Common Errors to Avoid
The most common CoS errors we see include: salary entered below the going rate for the SOC code; start date that is too soon, leaving insufficient time for visa processing; work location that does not match where the work will actually be performed; personal details that do not match the worker's passport; and CoS assigned under the wrong SOC code. Any of these can lead to a visa refusal. We handle every CoS assignment for our clients to eliminate these risks.
