There have been advancements in the UK migration system in recent years. As such, the 1st of December 2020 was marked by the change of the Tier 2 visa by replacing it with the skilled worker and intra-company visa. But, to get this new visa, it dictates that one must have a certificate of sponsorship (COS). This certificate is self-certifying identification issued to a work visa applicant who has secured a job in the UK. It’s more of an electronic record but with a distinctive identification number. During the issuance of the CoS, the sponsor confirms to the home office about your employment and work conditions and the employee’s compliance with the Visa application.

So, your employer will have to make a request to the home office, which, when granted, allows them to give you the Certificate of Sponsorship online through their management portal. It’s up to you to agree with the employer concerning the date or duration of work. But the COS mostly covers three to five years. The number that will be issued to you by the employers from the COS is to be accompanied by the visa application. Though it’s all electronic, you may print the details regarding this certificate.

Nevertheless, there are two types of certificates of sponsorship, the defined and the undefined, which will be discussed after the application process below.

Application for the UK Visa Following the Issuance of the Certificate of Sponsorship

When your employer has given you the COS, there is a three-month window for submitting your visa application before the certification expires. Your employer may adjust the CoS timelines by editing a sponsoring note in their sponsor’s management systems. You must submit your application for the UK visa within three months after the issuance of the certificate.

Types of UK Sponsorship Certificates

The changes in 2020 brought the undefined and defined certificates into existence.

Defining a certificate of sponsorship

Skilled worker visa applicants from outside the United Kingdom receive defined certificates of sponsorship. In that case, your affiliated employer must apply through the Sponsor Management System. But that’s on the condition that they own a sponsor license. When accepted, the defined certificates of sponsorship will show in the SMS profile, where the company can grant them to the employee.

An undefined certificate of sponsorship

Employing Skilled Worker visa candidates currently in England and applicants with other visas require undefined CoS. When applying for a sponsor license, one must estimate the number of undefined certificates they will require during the first year. Should the full 12-month allocation be exhausted, such applicants can request extra certificates through SMS.

The cost of a certificate of sponsorship application

Excluding the Global Professional athlete route, assigning a Certificate of sponsorship to a skilled worker or ICT professional requires £199. On the other hand, a temporary worker will cost about £21.50.

Further, Austrians, Croatians, French, Germans, Italians, Macedonians, Norwegians, Polish, Portuguese, Slovakians, and Swedes are exempt from fees. Additional fees, such as the Immigrant Health Premium and the work visa cost, might vary due to the kind of applications being submitted.

How about if you possess a UK Certificate of Sponsorship, but you want to work in a different part of the country?

Should this be the case, you have to follow the below procedure:

  • Ensure that your future boss is in a position to support you, permitting you to obtain a new visa even when you are still using the former.
  • Request a revocation of your active certificate through a letter or email to your employer. Remember, should the initial certification be involved, you won’t be able to get a new one.
  • After accepting this request, the sponsorship will revoke your active certificate in a week. If your employer fails to comply, you have to send a notice, and they will have a further week to terminate the certificate of sponsorship.
  • If the current certificate of sponsorship is not canceled, you will have to request cancellation from the British Visas and Immigration Sponsorship and License Department.
  • When your initial certificate is revoked, you can request a new one to be issued by your future employers.
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