Certificate of Sponsorship Help

Defined and undefined certificates

A defined certificate is requested for a named Skilled Worker applying from outside the UK. Undefined certificates come from the sponsor's annual allocation and are used mainly for people applying from inside the UK.

What has to be right

• The occupation code that matches the real duties
• Salary and working hours
• Start and end dates
• Work location
• Whether the sponsor certifies maintenance
• The worker's personal and passport details

Common problems

An incorrect occupation code or salary can lead to refusal of the worker's visa and questions about the licence. Some errors can be corrected with a sponsor note; others need a new certificate.

Costs for the employer

Assigning a certificate carries a fee and, for most Skilled Worker roles, the Immigration Skills Charge. Rules restrict passing certain costs on to the worker.

How the process works

Sponsorship work normally begins with the organisation itself: what it does, who it needs to employ, and whether its HR systems can meet sponsor duties.

• Tell us about the business and the roles you need to fill
• Have your eligibility, documents and HR systems reviewed
• Prepare and submit the application or response
• Put processes in place to keep the licence in good standing