COS & Sponsor Licence explained

What a Certificate of Sponsorship is, how the UK employer sponsorship system works, and how to check if an employer can sponsor your visa.

Last updated: February 2026

What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)?

A Certificate of Sponsorship is not a physical document — it is a virtual reference number issued by a UK employer through the Home Office's Sponsor Management System (SMS). The COS contains information about the job, the salary, the occupation code (SOC), and the worker being sponsored.

Every Skilled Worker visa application requires a valid COS reference number. The employer "assigns" the COS to the worker, who then uses it when submitting their visa application.

Official source: GOV.UK — Certificates of Sponsorship

What is a Sponsor Licence?

Before an employer can issue a COS, they must hold a valid Sponsor Licence from the Home Office. This licence confirms that the organisation has been vetted and approved to sponsor overseas workers. Obtaining a licence involves demonstrating genuine business operations, adequate HR systems, and the ability to meet ongoing compliance duties.

Application cost

£536 (small/charity) or £1,476 (medium/large)

Processing time

Typically 8 weeks (priority available)

Validity

4 years (then must be renewed)

Total licensed sponsors

140,918 on the current register

Official source: GOV.UK — Sponsorship for employers

How to check if an employer is a licensed sponsor

The Home Office publishes a register of all licensed sponsors, updated regularly. This is a public CSV file listing every organisation with an active Sponsor Licence, including the type of licence (Worker, Temporary Worker, or both) and their rating (A-rated or B-rated).

Check the register:

Download the official list from GOV.UK:

GOV.UK — Register of licensed sponsors: workers

JobWizard AI does this automatically

We maintain a database of all 140,918 licensed sponsors from the GOV.UK register. Every job match is automatically verified against this register, and sponsored employers show a purple "COS Verified" badge.

The sponsorship process step by step

Employer obtains Sponsor Licence

The employer applies to the Home Office and passes vetting checks. This can take 8+ weeks.

Employer creates a vacancy

The role must be genuine, meet the skill threshold (RQF 6+), and pay at least the going rate or general threshold.

Employer assigns a COS

Through the Sponsor Management System, the employer creates a COS with job details, salary, SOC code, and the worker's information.

Worker applies for visa

Using the COS reference number, the worker submits a Skilled Worker visa application online with supporting documents.

Visa decision

UKVI processes the application (3-8 weeks typically). If approved, the worker receives their visa or BRP.

Ongoing compliance

The employer must report changes (salary, role, address) to the Home Office. The worker must keep their visa conditions valid.

Sponsor compliance and licence revocation

The Home Office takes sponsor compliance seriously. In 2025, nearly 2,000 sponsor licences were revoked. Common reasons include missing right-to-work records, late reporting of changes, incorrect salaries, and job duties that do not match SOC codes.

What happens if a sponsor loses their licence

If your employer's sponsor licence is revoked or downgraded, your visa may be curtailed — typically giving you 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. Always check that your employer maintains good compliance practices.

Official source: GOV.UK — Sponsor duties and compliance

Verified sponsors on every match

JobWizard AI checks every job match against the official GOV.UK sponsor register. You will never waste time applying to an employer who cannot sponsor your visa.

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Always refer to GOV.UK and consult a qualified immigration advisor.