Apply for a COS
If a UK-based company wants to employ an overseas worker who is not otherwise entitled to work in the UK they must hold a sponsor licence (issued by the Home Office) and sponsor the worker via their sponsorship management system (SMS).
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record and virtual document that must be assigned by the employer to each relevant worker. The CoS has a unique reference number. Once the CoS has been issued the worker (either inside or outside the UK) must apply for the relevant visa, for example a Skilled Worker Visa or Temporary Worker visa.
From the date the CoS is issued, the employee then has three months in which to apply for their visa.
There are two different types of CoS; the Defined Certificate of Sponsorship and the Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship. The Defined CoS is issued to Skilled Workers coming from outside the UK. The other type is the Undefined CoS, which applies to everybody else.
How does a Certificate of Sponsorship work?
The purpose of the CoS is to ensure that both the employer and the prospective employee will be meeting all the requirements. To confirm this is the case you will need to give detailed information about the nature of the employee’s roles and what responsibilities they will have.
How do I know if a job applicant has the right to work in the UK?
The employer must make sure they ask the applicant for his or her share code. They must use this to look up the applicant’s status online through the Home Office website. They should also always ask to see each applicant’s original documents during the interview process. They will be responsible for checking the validity of these documents and copies should be made.
How much does it cost to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship?
The fees are £525 for a permanent worker and £55 for a temporary worker.
How do I apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship and how long does it take?
The application process can be completed online and, once you have submitted all the details, you will usually get a decision from the authorities within one working day.
At GSN Immigration, we help employers to complete successful Certificate of Sponsorship applications. When submitting each application on behalf of your prospective employee, it is crucial that you get all the details right. There are many details to consider when filling out the form and you will need to adhere to strict timelines and conditions when applying for and issuing each CoS. Any errors at this stage can have grave consequences, potentially resulting in refused visas, enforcement action and even revocation of the CoS.
What shall I do if I am unsure about the CoS process, or about the legal process surrounding employing foreign workers?
You may naturally have a broad range of applicants applying for your vacant roles and may find that many suitable candidates are in fact from countries other than the UK. It’s important not to discriminate against people because of where they are from, and because employing them will require extra paperwork. If you are confused about the legal requirements for employing people who have migrated to the UK, the best thing to do is to seek professional advice.
At GSN Immigration, we provide assistance to UK businesses with their CoS applications. Our expert team has many years of experience in helping both companies and individuals with all legal matters relating to Sponsorship Licence, migrant work, study and business visas. We can help you to make sense of the process and give you the peace of mind that you’ve ticked all the boxes before employing a foreign worker.
In conclusion
To summarise, the CoS is an important document that is a requirement if you want to employ foreign workers. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.
Please contact us at info@gsnimmigration.co.uk or call us if you need further advice. You will discover that we are the right firm for your immigration matter.
Speak to an experienced Immigration Lawyer/ Consultant / Adviser to bring your immigration matter to a successful conclusion.
