Certificate of Sponsorship Solicitors in London
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record, not a physical document, that a licensed UK employer assigns to a worker it wants to sponsor.
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Each certificate has a unique reference number, which the worker uses in their visa application. Without a valid CoS, nobody can apply for a Skilled Worker visa, a Global Business Mobility visa or a Temporary Worker visa.
Adam Bernard Solicitors helps employers request, assign and manage certificates correctly, and helps workers check that their CoS is right before they apply.
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Who Can Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship?
Only an organisation with a valid UK sponsor licence for the relevant visa route can assign a CoS. If your business is not yet licensed, you need a sponsor licence application first. Our blog on the employer’s sponsor licence application process walks through it step by step.
Defined vs Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship
| Item | Defined CoS | Undefined CoS |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Skilled Worker applicants applying from outside the UK | Skilled Workers applying from inside the UK, and all other sponsored routes (GBM, Temporary Work and others) |
| How to get one | Apply through the Sponsor Management System for each individual role | Allocated annually, based on the estimate you gave when you applied for your licence; extra certificates can be requested |
| Typical decision time | Usually within 1 working day | Requests for extra certificates usually take up to 12 weeks (5 working days with priority) |
Source: GOV.UK – UK visa sponsorship for employers: certificates of sponsorship.
How Much Does a Certificate of Sponsorship Cost in 2026?
A CoS costs £525 for Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Minister of Religion, Scale-up and Seasonal Worker routes, and £55 for Temporary Worker routes.
| Route | Cost per CoS |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Minister of Religion, Scale-up, Seasonal Worker | £525 |
| Temporary Worker routes (e.g. Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement) | £55 |
| International Sportsperson – more than 12 months | £525 |
| International Sportsperson – 12 months or less | £55 |
The employer must pay the CoS fee. Passing the cost on to the worker risks the sponsor licence being revoked. Skilled Worker sponsors may also have to pay the Immigration Skills Charge. Our Skilled Worker visa fee guide sets out the full employer cost.
How Long Is a Certificate of Sponsorship Valid?
A worker must apply for their visa within 3 months of the CoS being assigned. They also cannot apply more than 3 months before the job start date shown on the certificate. If a CoS expires unused, the employer has to assign a new one.
What Information Goes on a CoS?
A certificate records the details the Home Office uses to check the application:
- the worker’s personal details, which must match their passport
- the job title and 4-digit occupation code
- the salary, working hours and start and end dates
- whether the sponsor certifies maintenance (covering the worker’s first month of costs, up to £1,270)
- for Global Business Mobility routes, the link between the overseas and UK businesses
Mistakes on the certificate, such as the wrong occupation code or a salary below the going rate, are one of the most common reasons for refusals. They can also lead to compliance action. See our sponsor licence revocation page for the consequences.
Certificates of Sponsorship by Visa Route
How We Help
For employers: sponsor licence applications, CoS allocation requests, checking occupation codes and going rates, assigning certificates, and compliance audits.
For workers: checking your CoS before you apply, and advice if your certificate has errors or your employer withdraws it.
Call 0207 100 2525 (24/7) or book a free consultation
FAQs
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
How much does a Certificate of Sponsorship cost?
How long is a CoS valid?
What is the difference between a defined and undefined CoS?
Can an employer charge me for my CoS?
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