Certificate of Sponsorship UK: What Jobseekers Need to Know

You have a UK job offer and your employer says they will sponsor you. Then the phrase “Certificate of Sponsorship” appears, and it sounds like a document you should be holding. It is not a paper certificate. It is an electronic record assigned by your employer, with a reference number you use in your visa application.

This guide explains what the record does, the difference between defined and undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), what to ask your employer for, and how to check the details before you apply. It is job-search information, not immigration advice. Rules can change, so use the current GOV.UK Skilled Worker guidance and an authorised adviser for advice about your own case.

Fact-checked against GOV.UK on 4 October 2026.

What a Certificate of Sponsorship is

A CoS is an electronic record in the sponsor’s system. It is not a visa, a visa application, or a physical certificate sent to you. Your employer assigns it to you and gives you its reference number. You enter that reference in your visa application.

The record describes the sponsored role. The Home Office says the employer must assign a CoS to each worker it sponsors. Holding a sponsor licence does not mean that every vacancy at that organisation is suitable for sponsorship, or that a particular job offer has already been sponsored. A specific role and an assigned CoS are what matter for your application.

The assignment and the visa decision are separate steps. A CoS reference lets you apply; it does not itself grant permission to work or guarantee that your visa application will be approved. Follow the instructions for your visa application and wait for the relevant decision before making assumptions about your status or start date.

Defined and Undefined CoS

The labels describe which type of certificate the employer needs to request. They are not two different physical documents for the worker to collect.

A defined CoS is for someone applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK. The sponsor requests it through the sponsorship management system. Once approved, it appears in the sponsor’s account and the employer can assign it to the worker.

An undefined CoS covers Skilled Workers applying from inside the UK and applicants on other visa routes. Employers estimate their need for undefined certificates when applying for a licence. They can request additional certificates through the management system.

Do not guess which kind applies from the job title alone. Ask the employer to confirm which route and certificate type they are using for your circumstances. If your application situation changes, check the current GOV.UK instructions rather than relying on an old email or online post.

The Timing That Matters

For a Skilled Worker application, GOV.UK says you must apply within 3 months of getting your CoS. You must also not apply more than 3 months before the job start date listed on the certificate. These are separate timing limits, so check both dates with your employer before submitting.

GOV.UK says defined certificate applications are usually approved within one working day, but they can take longer if UKVI needs further checks. That is the employer’s certificate request, not a promise about how quickly your own visa application will be decided.

If an employer is waiting for a certificate, ask when they submitted the request and whether it is approved and assigned yet. Do not treat an expected approval as an assigned reference number. If dates are close, get advice on your individual situation before acting.

What to Ask Your Employer For

GOV.UK says your employer will give you the CoS reference number and recommends asking for a copy of the certificate if you do not have one. Request the copy and review the role details with the recruiter or sponsor contact. Check that you understand:

• the reference number you will use in the application
• the job title and annual salary recorded for the role
• the occupation code and employer details
• the job start date shown on the record
• which application route and certificate type the employer says applies

Your application may ask for these details. GOV.UK’s document list also names your job title, annual salary, occupation code, employer name and sponsor licence number. If something appears inconsistent with your offer, raise it with the employer before submitting rather than silently choosing one version.

Who Pays the CoS Fee?

The sponsor pays the certificate fee for a Skilled Worker. GOV.UK explicitly says the employer must pay this fee itself when sponsoring a Skilled Worker and warns that asking the worker to pay the fee or costs linked to the application may put the sponsor’s licence at risk.

The current employer guidance lists £525 for a Worker certificate (except certain International Sportsperson certificates) and £55 for a Temporary Worker certificate. The fee depends on the sponsor licence category; do not assume the Temporary Worker figure applies to a Skilled Worker. These are sponsor-side certificate fees, not your visa application fee. Ask for clarification if anyone asks you to pay a charge described as the CoS fee, and use the linked GOV.UK source to check current rules.

A Sponsor Licence Is Not a Sponsored Vacancy

A company appearing on the licensed sponsor register tells you it holds a licence. It does not prove that a particular vacancy is open, that the vacancy is eligible for your route, or that the employer has agreed to issue you a CoS. Treat “we sponsor visas” in an advert as a reason to ask a clear question, not as confirmation that this role is sponsored.

Before spending time on an application, ask the recruiter whether sponsorship is available for this exact vacancy and whether the role is intended for your visa route. You can check the organisation in the official register of licensed sponsors. Then confirm the role-specific details directly with the employer.

Sponsored Jobs UK helps with the search stage: browse jobs from UK employers and check employers in the sponsor directory. A licence check is one useful filter, not a substitute for confirming the vacancy.

Common Misunderstandings

“I need the paper certificate.”

The CoS is an electronic record. Ask for the reference number and a copy of the record if you need to check its details.

“The sponsor licence means this job is sponsored.”

A licence belongs to the employer. Confirm sponsorship for the vacancy and your own offer.

“My CoS means my visa is approved.”

The CoS is used in the application. The visa decision is separate.

“The one-working-day figure is my visa timeline.”

That figure refers to usual approval of a defined CoS request, and further checks can make it take longer. It is not the visa decision timeline.

“I can pay the certificate charge to keep things moving.”

For a Skilled Worker, GOV.UK says the sponsor must pay the CoS fee itself. Check the current official guidance and clarify any payment request before proceeding.

Confirm the Record, Then Apply

Confirm that the employer is discussing sponsorship for your specific vacancy. Ask for the CoS reference and a copy of the record, then check the role details and dates against your offer. Use the current GOV.UK pages linked below for the application checklist, and get regulated advice if you need help applying the rules to your circumstances.

• Certificates of sponsorship: sponsor guidance
• Skilled Worker visa: documents you must provide
• Skilled Worker visa: your job

If you are still comparing employers, find live UK jobs and check each organisation before investing time in an application.

Related guides: From Student Visa to Skilled Worker Visa and How to Switch Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa.