Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Expert Legal Guidance from London Immigration Solicitors

For any foreign national seeking to work in the UK under a sponsored route, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is the single most important document. It is not an actual paper certificate but a unique electronic reference number issued by a licensed UK employer, signifying that they have formally allocated a skilled role to you. Without a valid CoS, a visa application cannot be submitted. This page serves as your comprehensive guide to the CoS, its purpose, and the critical role it plays in your immigration journey. At Conroy Baker Ltd., our specialist Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Immigration Solicitors in London provide proactive legal services to ensure this crucial step is executed flawlessly.

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record issued by a licensed UK sponsor to a foreign national whom they wish to employ. The CoS contains all the key details about the job and the sponsored worker, including:

• The worker’s personal details.
• The job title and occupation code.
• The start and end dates of the employment.
• The salary.
• The number of hours to be worked. This information is then used by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to assess the visa application. A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must be assigned correctly and accurately, as any discrepancy can lead to a visa refusal.

While the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a document assigned to the sponsored worker, its successful management is absolutely crucial from the employer’s perspective. The CoS is more than just a reference number; it is the cornerstone of your entire international hiring process.

The CoS is your legal permission to fill a specific role with a foreign national. Without a valid and correctly assigned CoS, you cannot legally proceed with the hire.

The CoS serves as official confirmation from the Home Office that the job you are offering meets the required skill and salary thresholds for the visa route. It validates the genuineness of your vacancy.

The act of assigning a CoS is a recorded action on the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The data on the CoS must be entirely accurate and consistent with the worker’s contract. Any discrepancy can lead to a visa refusal and a breach of your sponsor duties.

Meticulous management of CoS assignments and their related records is a key part of your sponsor duties. A strong audit trail of CoS management proves your business is diligent and compliant, serving as your primary defence during a Home Office compliance audit.

For an individual, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is the definitive green light to apply for a visa. It proves that a legitimate, licensed UK employer has a confirmed role for you. Without it, your visa application cannot proceed. It is crucial for applicants to verify that all the information on their CoS is accurate and consistent with their job offer letter. Our legal team can assist in reviewing your CoS details before you submit your visa application.

Mastering the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) process is fundamental to fulfilling your sponsor duties and avoiding sanctions from the Home Office. Our service is designed to help you with every critical function:

This is the most critical function of the SMS. A CoS is an electronic document that a sponsor assigns to a foreign worker, which they must then use to apply for a visa. Our solicitors ensure that all details entered into the SMS are accurate and consistent with the worker’s employment contract and supporting documentation. This precision is vital, as any discrepancy can lead to a visa refusal for your prospective employee.

The Sponsor Management System (SMS) is the central hub for reporting significant events and changes concerning your sponsored workers. Failure to report on time is a serious breach of your duties. We provide guidance on all mandatory reporting duties, which must be completed within 10 working days of the event.

We advise on reporting a sponsored worker failing to start their employment, a worker being absent from work for 10 or more consecutive days without permission, a worker leaving their employment (e.g., resignation, dismissal), and any significant changes to the worker’s job title, duties, or salary.

We train your team on the correct procedures for reporting via the SMS to ensure all information is accurate and submitted in a timely manner.

The SMS is a key part of your audit trail, but it is not the only part. You must maintain both your digital records on the SMS and a comprehensive set of internal HR files for each sponsored worker. Our service helps you with:

We conduct proactive audits of your CoS records and internal HR systems to identify and rectify any potential issues before they become problems during a Home Office compliance visit.

We provide clear guidance on which documents you must keep for each sponsored worker (e.g., passports, visas, employment contracts, attendance records, salary payment evidence, and job descriptions) to ensure you are always audit-ready.

Meticulous management of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is crucial to avoid costly and time-consuming visa issues. Our service is designed to help you avoid the most common pitfalls:

We implement robust processes to ensure your HR team reports all required events on the SMS within the strict 10-day deadline.

We meticulously double-check all details entered into the CoS to ensure they are consistent with the worker’s contract and visa application. This precision is non-negotiable for a successful and compliant application.

Our services include comprehensive training to ensure your Authorising Officer and Level 1 Users are fully proficient in their responsibilities and the proper use of the SMS.

We provide strategic guidance on managing and justifying your CoS allocation, preventing shortfalls that could stall your recruitment.

The assignment of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a key moment in the visa process. Errors at this stage can be costly and can have a devastating impact on your sponsored employee’s visa application.

As Top UK Immigration & Business Advisors in the UK, Conroy Baker Ltd. offers a holistic and client-focused approach, combining unparalleled expertise to deliver outstanding immigration solutions. Your UK Workforce. Expertly Sponsored.

Our comprehensive services related to the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) include:

Advising on how to manage and justify your CoS allocation with the Home Office.

Ensuring all details on the CoS are accurate and consistent with the worker’s documentation.

Our in-house immigration solicitors in London verify that the assignment meets all legal and compliance duties.

Our team can act as a trusted Level 1 User to manage CoS assignments on your behalf.

Expert legal representation if a visa application is refused due to a CoS-related error.

We are committed to helping your business manage your sponsorship obligations with confidence and precision.