Certificate of Sponsorship
(CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a virtual document (reference number) issued by a licensed UK sponsor to a worker they wish to recruit from overseas. The CoS records details of the job, salary, and the worker, and is required by the worker when making a visa application. Sponsors must assign CoS through the Sponsorship Management System and are responsible for ensuring the worker fulfils the conditions of their visa.
There are two types of CoS: a defined CoS (allocated by the Home Office in advance for workers who need to apply from outside the UK) and an undefined CoS (assigned by sponsors directly for in-country applications and some other routes). For the Skilled Worker route, the CoS must show the job title, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, salary, and start date. The salary must meet both the general threshold (£38,700 per year from April 2024, or the going rate for the occupation if higher) and the new entrant rate (£30,960) if applicable. Sponsors must retain records and report changes to the worker's circumstances to the Home Office. Misuse of the sponsorship system can result in the sponsor's licence being suspended or revoked.