Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Getting the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for UK businesses that have been approved by the Home Office and want to hire foreign workers is essential.

Get a complete overview of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Our guide explains what it is, the types of CoS, how to apply and the costs involved.

Dealing with the complexities of hiring international talent requires deep knowledge of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Need help with your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)? Contact Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700 or fill in our enquiry form for expert guidance and support.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Understanding the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is key for UK employers hiring international workers. This digital document lets employers support a visa application for a non-UK national. To get a CoS, an employer must first have a sponsor licence.

Employers must know that the CoS brings more than just paperwork. They must follow UK immigration rules closely. They could lose their sponsor licence and face big fines if they don't.

Employers need to keep records of their sponsored workers correctly. This helps with the visa process and keeps the employer safe from immigration issues.

What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a key document in the UK's immigration system. It proves a UK employer has a real job for a non-UK worker. The employer gives this document, letting the non-UK worker apply for a visa to live and work in the UK legally.

Understanding the CoS's purpose helps you see its importance. It lists important details like:

• Information about the job title and description
• Details of the sponsoring employer, including the company name and address
• The start date and duration of the employment
• The employee's personal details

This document confirms the job is genuine, building trust between the employer and the future employee. Employers must follow immigration rules to keep their right to sponsor workers from other countries.

If you have questions about the CoS process, please contact us at Wembley Solicitors on 0203 417 3700. We're here to help you at every step.

Types of Certificate of Sponsorship

We can divide certificates of sponsorships into two main types: defined and undefined. Each is important for the immigration process, helping to bring non-UK workers to the country.

Defined Certificate of Sponsorship

The defined certificate of sponsorship is for specific visa applications. It's mainly for jobs with yearly limits on who can do them. These jobs must meet certain standards, which can affect how many visas are given out.

Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship

On the other hand, the undefined certificate of sponsorship is for longer jobs without yearly limits. It's great for roles needing skilled workers for a long time. This makes it ideal for jobs where skills are hard to find.

Knowing the differences between these certificates is key to managing sponsorships well. If you need more info, call Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700.

Certificate of Sponsorship Cost

Getting a Certificate of Sponsorship costs include the licence and CoS fees. There might be other costs for the visa application.

The process starts with the sponsor licence fee, which depends on the company's size and any concessions. Small or charitable sponsors pay £536, while medium or large sponsors pay £1,476.

Once you obtain a sponsor licence, the next step is to consider the cost of the Certificate of Sponsorship. Assigning a certificate to a foreign worker requires a fee, which varies depending on the type of sponsor licence you have.

Employers should also plan for extra costs during the visa application. These might include:

• Immigration Skills Charge
• Healthcare Surcharge for the Worker
• Legal Fees

Immigration Skills Charge

£1,000 for medium or large sponsors, and £364 for small or charitable sponsors for the initial 12 months. For each subsequent 6-month period, the fee is £182 for small or charitable sponsors and £500 for medium or large sponsors

Healthcare Surcharge for the Worker

When applying for a Skilled Worker visa, the applicant must pay the healthcare surcharge, typically £1,035 per year. This fee helps cover access to the National Health Service.

Legal Fees

Due to the complexity of the Certificate of Sponsorship process, it's advisable to hire an experienced immigration solicitor.

At Wembley Solicitors, our legal fees range from £1,000 to £1,500, with the exact amount varying based on the complexity of the case.

By considering all these costs, you can plan well for the total certificate of sponsorship cost. For more help or details on these fees, call Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship

Applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a detailed process. It's crucial for businesses wanting to hire workers from abroad. We'll walk you through the steps to make applying smooth.

Step-by-Step Application Process

To apply for a certificate of sponsorship, follow these key steps:

1. Ensure Valid Sponsor Licence: Make sure your company has a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office.
2. Gather Relevant Documents: Collect all needed documents, like job descriptions, employee details, and compliance paperwork.
3. Complete the Application Form: Fill in the online form correctly, making sure all info is right and current.
4. Submit the Application: Send in your application through the right channels, meeting all deadlines and requirements.
5. Await Decision: Wait for a response and any further instructions about the certificate.

It's a good idea to keep in touch during this process. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask for help. For more help, call Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700. Our team is here to guide you on getting a certificate of sponsorship.

How to Check CoS Status

Employers need to know how to check CoS status. This is key in the sponsorship process. You can check if a Certificate of Sponsorship is valid and active by following a few easy steps.

To start, you go to the official UK Government website for sponsorship management. You log in with your details. If you can't get into your account, you can contact the support team on the site for help.

Once you're logged in, the dashboard shows all the CoS you have, including their status. You should look at:

• CoS Reference Number
• Status: Active or Expired
• Expiry Date

If your CoS has expired or is not active, you need to act fast. You might need to ask your sponsor for a new CoS. Checking regularly helps you fix any problems quickly, making the visa process smoother.

For more help on checking CoS status, you can call Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700. We can help you with any issues or questions you have during the process.

How to check if CoS is genuine or not?

When dealing with immigration, making sure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is real is key for both employers and employees. You need to know how to check if a CoS is genuine. This keeps you safe and makes sure you follow UK immigration rules.

One good way to check a CoS is by contacting the sponsor directly. Their contact info should be on official papers. Talking to the sponsor helps confirm the CoS's validity. Also, look for official logos and specific formats that match Home Office rules. These are signs of a real certificate.

You can also verify the authenticity of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by visiting the UK Government website.

Be careful of scams that might trick people. If you're unsure about a CoS, our team at Wembley Solicitors can help. We offer advice and support to verify the CoS. Call us at 0203 417 3700 to protect your immigration process.

How can you get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number?

The CoS reference number is given when you get the CoS. You can find it in the CoS document or your sponsorship system if you use one.

What should you do if our Certificate of Sponsorship is found to be invalid?

If your Certificate of Sponsorship is invalid, you contact UK Visas and Immigration for help. You must also look into how it affects our work processes.

Business Immigration Solicitors for Sponsor Licence Application

Our highly experienced team of business immigration solicitors in Wembley, London will assist you through the process of making a sponsor licence application.

Business immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:

• assess your eligibility and advise you about the requirements
• advise you about who the key personnel should be
• advise you about how to remain compliant and the employer's duties
• provide you with a comprehensive checklist of supporting documents
• help you to choose the correct type of sponsor licence
• prepare and submit the sponsor licence application online
• do all the follow-up work on your sponsor licence application until a decision is received from the UKVI.

Contact our immigration solicitors in London on 0203 417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for legal advice and help with your sponsor licence application.

How to contact business immigration solicitors

If you require a solicitor to obtain or manage a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), Call our business immigration solicitors today at 0203 417 3700.