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Plan in three stages
- 1
Licence decision: From submission to grant/refusal (plus time to gather documents beforehand).
- 2
CoS assignment: Defined vs undefined CoS availability can affect when you can assign.
- 3
Worker visa: Entry clearance or switching, plus biometrics and travel.
Hire-to-desk timeline (planning view)
For first-time sponsors, many employers should assume multiple months end-to-end before an overseas candidate is at a desk, unless you already hold a licence and CoS capacity.
| Phase | What happens | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licence | Docs, key personnel, counsel QA | Often longer than the online form |
| Licence pending | Home Office decision | Build buffer; source in parallel |
| Post-grant | SMS setup, CoS allocation/assignment | Do not assign until offer is stable |
| Visa | Worker applies, biometrics, decision | Family applications add complexity |
| Arrival | Travel, RTW check, day-1 access | IT and buddy plans matter |
Priority processing
Sometimes worth it when a start date is commercially critical. Weigh the extra fee against the cost of an empty role. GOV.UK lists the current priority options and service standards.
Priority can help when…
Document pack is already complete
Empty-role cost exceeds the priority fee
You need a faster licence decision to unlock CoS plans
Priority does not fix…
Missing documents or unsuitable key personnel
CoS allocation bottlenecks after grant
Worker visa/biometrics still on their own clock
How to communicate dates
Use ranges: Optimistic / realistic / late, never one hard day for overseas sponsored hires.
Separate controllable vs not: Your interview speed vs government decision times.
Update weekly: Silence creates candidate drop-off and hiring-manager fiction.
Next step
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Is priority processing worth it?+
Sometimes, when a start date is commercially critical. Weigh the extra fee against the cost of an empty role. GOV.UK lists the current priority options.