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Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Application

Sponsor Licence Specialists > Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Application

 

What is a Certificate
of Sponsorship (CoS)?

 

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital document that
proves a UK Employer has made an offer to a suitable and
genuine candidate. Only once the candidate has been
assigned their CoS can they then proceed to make an
application for a UK Work Visa.

 

Before requesting and assigning a CoS from the Home
Office, it is essential that the employer confirms whether their
prospective candidate meets UKVI guidelines which are ever
changing. These can include the following:

  • Whether the role proposed is eligible for a CoS and Skilled Worker Visa
  • Whether the candidate meets the eligibility criteria for the role (Experience, qualifications etc)
  • Whether the salary proposed for the role meets the requirements per UKVI guidelines.

We at Sponsor Licence Specialists understand the difficulties
faced with keeping up to date with all the changes enforced
by UKVI and the Home Office, which is why we provide a
comprehensive pre-CoS check for employers which includes
recommending appropriate roles for the candidate that better
suits their qualifications and experience as well as the
business itself.

We also provide any follow up support that
may be required during the CoS request and allocation
process like any Home Office compliance submissions that
may be requested following an allocation request.

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Why choose us?

End-to-End Immigration Support

Tailored, Bespoke Solutions

Specialist Expertise in Sponsor Licences

Full Compliance & Risk Management

Visa Category

CoS required?

.

Skilled Worker

Global Business Mobility (all Subcategories)

Business Scale-up

Temporary Worker routes

International Sportsperson

Graduate Visa

High Potential Individual

British Citizen/ILR Holders/EU settled or pre-settled status

Visitor Visa

Yes – must be assigned a CoS from a Licensed Sponsor

Yes – CoS required for Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion and Secondment Worker

Yes – CoS required for the Sponsored stage (the initial 6 months) after which, Scale-up workers can switch to unsponsored status

Yes – CoS required for the duration of their employment period

Yes – CoS required

No – No sponsorship required

No – No sponsorship required

No – Already entitled to work in the UK without sponsorship

No – Work is not permitted under this route

Types of Certificates of Sponsorship

There are two types of Certificate of Sponsorships that
employers can allocate to prospective candidates:
‘Defined’ Certificate of Sponsorship (Defined CoS) and
‘Undefined’ Certificate of Sponsorship (Undefined CoS).

 

A different type of Certificate of Sponsorship is required
an employer who holds a Temporary Woker Sponsor
Licence is looking to hire a candidate.

 

The type of CoS needed is dependent on the nature of
the employment and the Visa Category under which the
employee will be applying

Defined CoS

  • Suitable for hiring Skilled workers from outside the UK
  • Job offer must come from a licenced sponsor
  • Salary needs to meet the required threshold
  • Skill level requirement for the role are met

Undefined CoS

  • Required for extending Visas, Switching Visas, or hiring from within the UK
  • Job offer must come from a licenced sponsor
  • Suitable for employees already in the UK
  • Salary needs to meet the required threshold
  • Skill level requirement for the role must be met

Undefined CoS

  • Used for hiring for short-term roles under the Temporary Worker route
  • Job role must fit within a specified temporary category (e.g. Seasonal Worker, Religious, Charity Work)
  • Candidate must meet visa requirements
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Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS):

The confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is a reference number, provided by your educational institute. The CAS is legitimate proof that you have been inducted by the respective institute, in a particular course. You have to put this reference number in your Tier 4 Student Visa application.

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    Common questions
    answered

    At the heart of our commitment to providing
    exceptional immigration solutions stands our trusted

    • What services do you offer?

      Sponsor Licence Specialists offers support to UK businesses with hiring overseas workers and staying compliant with immigration rules. Their services include:

      • Sponsor licence applications
      • Licence management and compliance support
      • Mock audits and Home Office preparation
      • Skilled Worker visa assistance
      • Licence renewals
      • HR training and immigration advice
    • What is the consultation process like?

      With Sponsor Licence Specialists, the consultation process is simple and structured:

      • Initial consultation – discuss your business needs and assess eligibility
      • Advice & planning – get tailored guidance on the best approach
      • Next steps – clear plan on documents, process, and chances of success

      The goal is to give you a clear understanding of your options before moving forward.

    • How do I get started with your services?

      At Sponsor Licence Specialists, getting started is simple:

      • Contact us via our website or by phone
      • Book a consultation so we can understand your needs
      • Receive tailored advice and a clear action plan
      • Instruct us to proceed, and we’ll handle the process for you

      We’ll guide you every step of the way to make the process smooth and stress-free.

    • What is your success rate with visa applications?

      At Sponsor Licence Specialists, we focus on maximising your chances of approval the first time by ensuring your application is accurate, complete, and fully compliant.

      While we don’t advertise a fixed success rate, this is because every case is different and outcomes ultimately depend on the Home Office.

      We pride ourselves on strong preparation and attention to detail—especially important given that a significant number of sponsor licence applications are refused each year due to errors or non-compliance .

      Our goal is simple: to give you the best possible chance of success through expert guidance and tailored support.

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    Regulated to provide immigration advice or services by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Ref No. F202100225. Sponsor Licence Specialists is a trading name of SLSPEC LTD a company registered in England and Wales no. 12982813, registered office: Office 2, T&L Business Park, Winterstoke Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS23 3YS. Regulated by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) No: ZA869799