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Back to Employer Success Centre
  1. Home
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  3. /Employer Success Centre
  4. /Certificates of Sponsorship

Guide

Certificates of Sponsorship explained

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record a licensed sponsor assigns to a worker so they can apply for a sponsored visa. It is not a paper certificate and not the visa itself.

CoS operations are where hiring timelines meet compliance — get the workflow wrong and you create both delay and risk.

This is general information for employers, not legal or immigration advice. Rules, fees, and thresholds change — confirm the current position on official government sites before you act.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-28

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What this guide covers

  • Defined vs undefined (high level)
  • Offer-to-assign workflow
  • Data that must match the real job
  • Recruitment planning tips
01Defined vs undefined (high level)02Offer-to-assign workflow03Data that must match the real job04Recruitment planning tips
On this page · 4 sectionsShowHide
  1. 01Defined vs undefined (high level)
  2. 02Offer-to-assign workflow
  3. 03Data that must match the real job
  4. 04Recruitment planning tips

In this guide

4 sections

Defined vs undefined (high level)Offer-to-assign workflowData that must match the real jobRecruitment planning tips
01

Defined vs undefined (high level)

Employers often discuss defined (typically for workers applying from outside the UK) and undefined CoS (often for in-country switches/extensions). Annual allocations and request processes differ — confirm the current SMS rules before you promise a start date.

Reference table
TopicWhy it matters to hiring
AllocationYou may need to request CoS before you can assign one
AccuracyJob title, salary, SOC/occupation, and dates must match reality
TimingWorkers need the CoS reference to apply for the visa
ChangesRole changes after assignment can create compliance issues
02

Offer-to-assign workflow

  1. 1

    Firm offer: Role, salary, location, and start-date range agreed.

  2. 2

    Route check: Occupation and salary still meet rules — counsel if unsure.

  3. 3

    Allocation: Ensure the right CoS type is available in SMS.

  4. 4

    Assign: Enter accurate data; worker receives the reference.

  5. 5

    Visa support: Worker applies; you stay ready for document queries.

  6. 6

    Start: Right-to-work check; open compliance pack for the hire.

Do not assign early to “hold a slot”

Unstable offers produce inaccurate CoS data. Inaccuracy creates visa risk and compliance exposure.

03

Data that must match the real job

  • Title and duties: What they will actually do — not a vanity title.

  • Salary: What you will pay; thresholds and allowances rules matter.

  • Work location: Where they will work; hybrid patterns should be truthful.

  • Dates: CoS validity and employment start assumptions.

04

Recruitment planning tips

Build CoS allocation lead time into your hiring plan. Tell hiring managers that “offer accepted” is not the same as “can start Monday.” On Global Sponsor Hub, only label sponsorship when you can complete this workflow for the requisition.

Next step

Put this into action on Global Sponsor Hub

Start free with a company profile, add your careers website for the company directory, or review Growth / Scale when you want on-platform applications and hiring tools.

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What's next

Related guides and links

More on this site: related guides, official government pages to double-check rules and fees, and quick links to jobs and partners.

Related guides

Guides that pair well with this page

  • What is a sponsor licence?Employer Success Centre guidance for sponsorship and international hiring.Open guide
  • Duties & complianceEmployer Success Centre guidance for sponsorship and international hiring.Open guide

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Common questions

Does assigning a CoS guarantee the visa?+

No. The worker must still meet the visa rules and be approved by UKVI.

Can we change the job after assigning a CoS?+

Material changes can create compliance and visa issues. Take advice before changing duties, salary, or location after assignment.

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