Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) 2026

📌 What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. It is a unique 11-character reference number that confirms a UK employer has offered you a genuine job and will sponsor your visa. A CoS is a mandatory prerequisite for all applications under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Scale-up, and Temporary Worker visa routes. Without a valid CoS reference number, your visa application cannot proceed.

The CoS is managed through the Home Office's Sponsor Management System (SMS). Your employer uses this system to assign a CoS to you, which allows you to submit your visa application to the Home Office.

For official guidance, see the GOV.UK sponsor guidance for skilled workers.

🔄 Defined vs. Undefined CoS – What's the Difference?

For official details, refer to the GOV.UK certificates of sponsorship guide.

🏢 Employer Sponsorship – What Your Employer Must Do

To assign a CoS, your employer must already hold a valid sponsor licence. They are then required to:

• Ensure the role is 'eligible': The Home Office introduced a new 'eligible role' test in Spring 2026. The role must genuinely exist, be appropriate to the business, and meet all skill and salary requirements.
• Meet salary and hour compliance rules: From April 2026, the salary stated on the CoS must be paid in each pay period. The worker must be paid at least the minimum salary for sponsorship in monthly or less frequent pay periods, or as otherwise specified in their contract.
• Pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): This is an additional fee paid by the employer at the point of assigning a CoS. The rates are: £1,320 per year for medium/large employers, and £480 per year for small/charitable sponsors (where the charge applies).
• Monitor and report any changes: Employers must use the Sponsor Management System to report any changes to the worker's circumstances, such as a change of job duties or unauthorised absences.
• Not pass CoS fees on to you: The employer is legally prohibited from recouping the CoS fee or the Immigration Skills Charge from you. Any attempt to do so is a serious compliance breach and can lead to the revocation of their sponsor licence.

For a comprehensive overview of sponsor duties, read the official sponsor guidance.

📝 How to Get a CoS – Step by Step

1. Find a licensed UK employer: Your employer must have a valid sponsor licence. You can check any employer's licence status on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. This is a critical step in verifying the legitimacy of any job offer.
2. Receive a job offer: The employer must confirm the job meets the skill and salary requirements for the Skilled Worker visa.
3. Employer requests a Defined CoS (if you are outside the UK): The employer submits a request via the SMS, providing your personal details and job information. The Home Office assesses each request, and if approved, a CoS is made available for the employer to assign.
4. Employer assigns the CoS to you: Once approved (or if using an Undefined CoS from their annual allocation), the employer assigns the CoS to you. They will provide you with the CoS reference number.
5. You apply for your visa using the CoS number: You must submit your online visa application within 3 months of the CoS being assigned. Enter the unique CoS reference number when prompted.

For official details, refer to the GOV.UK certificates of sponsorship guide.

💰 CoS Fees & Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) 2026

⚠️ Note: The CoS fee and Immigration Skills Charge are the employer's responsibility. You should never be asked to pay these costs. If an employer asks you to pay, it is a violation of their licence obligations.

🔍 How to Check if Your CoS is Valid

• Ensure the CoS reference number is an 11-character code. This is essential for your visa application.
• Your employer must assign the CoS to you before you submit your visa application. You cannot apply without a valid CoS.
• Check that the job details on the CoS (job title, salary, hours) match your employment contract and your employer's job offer.
• Verify that the salary stated is at or above the required minimum for your occupation code.
• Use the CoS number in your visa application within 3 months of its assignment date. The CoS has a validity period, and if you do not use it in time, your employer may need to assign a new one.

For a complete breakdown of each requirement, visit our Skilled Worker Visa Requirements guide. Always verify with the official GOV.UK page.

⚠️ Common CoS Mistakes & Red Flags to Avoid

• An employer who is not a licensed sponsor: Always check the Home Office register. If the employer is not on the list, they cannot sponsor you.
• An employer asking you to pay for the CoS or the ISC: This is a direct breach of Home Office rules. Do not accept this.
• Mismatched job details: The job description, salary, and hours on the CoS must match your actual job offer. Any discrepancy can lead to visa refusal.
• Salary below the required threshold: Even if the CoS is assigned, if the salary does not meet the 'eligible role' test, your visa will be refused.
• A CoS that has expired: Ensure you submit your visa application within the CoS's validity period. The exact period is usually three months, but check with your employer.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Certificate of Sponsorship