Certificate of Sponsorship
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a document used in the United Kingdom's immigration system. It's issued by an employer or educational institution that has been licensed by the UK Home Office to sponsor migrants. The CoS contains information about the job or course of study, the salary or course fees, and the personal details of the migrant worker or student.
For skilled workers coming to the UK under the Tier 2 (General) visa route, the CoS is a crucial part of the application process. It essentially confirms that the job offer is genuine and meets the requirements set by the UK government. Similarly, for international students applying for a Tier 4 visa, the CoS confirms their acceptance onto a course of study at a licensed institution.
In essence, the Certificate of Sponsorship acts as a kind of formal invitation or authorization for individuals to come to the UK for work or study purposes under specific visa categories.
Types of visas requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
| Visa types | Period of stay in the UK |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa: For individuals seeking employment in the UK with a job offer from a licensed employer. | Up to 5 years |
| Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa: For professional athletes or sports coaches invited to the UK. | Up to 60 days |
| Tier 5 Seasonal Worker: For temporary work or internships in the UK sponsored by an organization. | Up to 6 months |
| Tier 4 General Student visa: For international students pursuing education in the UK sponsored by an educational institution. | Depends on studying program |
Your sponsor or sponsor's representative will give you your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
You'll need to add your certificate of sponsorship reference number to your visa application form - you can only use it once.