Now that you know what a Certificate of Sponsorship is, the practical question is how to assign one correctly and keep your sponsor records straight. Many sponsor licence problems begin with poor CoS handling rather than the visa application itself.
Assigning a CoS step by step
Once your sponsor licence is live, you assign a CoS through the Sponsorship Management System. For an Undefined CoS, you assign it from your existing annual allocation. For a Defined CoS, you must request approval first, then assign it once UKVI approves the request.
You will need to enter the worker’s details, job title, occupation code, salary, weekly hours, work location, start date and end date. Getting the salary right is critical because it must meet both the relevant general salary threshold and the going rate for the role. Our breakdown of skilled worker salary thresholds shows how those figures work in 2026.
A few points are worth keeping front of mind:
- Check the job is genuine and matches an eligible occupation code.
- Confirm the salary meets the higher of the relevant threshold or going rate.
- Make sure the worker applies within 3 months of the CoS being assigned.
- Make sure the worker does not apply more than 3 months before the start date listed on the CoS.
- Keep right to work checks, contract details, salary evidence and recruitment records where required.
- Report changes through the Sponsorship Management System within the correct deadlines.
Small errors can create large problems. A wrong occupation code, incorrect salary, unrealistic working hours or inconsistent job description can delay the visa or put your sponsor licence at risk.
Routes connected to sponsorship
Many sponsored hires arrive through other routes first. Graduates often switch after studying, so our student visa london page and guide to UK student visa requirements make useful background reading.
If sponsoring yourself appeals more than sponsoring others, our explainer on the self sponsorship visa UK route compares the options.
After 5 years, many sponsored workers may qualify for settlement if they meet the rules. Our ilr application london page explains that step, with long residence visa london as a separate route in some cases. From there, british citizenship london becomes an option, covered in our posts on British citizenship by naturalisation and dual citizenship in the UK. If your worker wants to bring a partner, our uk spouse visa london page will help.
Who pays for what
| Cost | Who pays | Amount in 2026 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Employer | £525 per certificate |
| Immigration Skills Charge | Employer | £480 to £1,320 per year, depending on sponsor size |
| Visa application fee | Worker, usually | Varies by visa length, route and application location |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Worker, usually | £1,035 per year |
The CoS fee, sponsor licence fee and Immigration Skills Charge must not be passed on to the worker. Visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are usually paid by the worker, although some employers choose to support relocation costs separately.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I assign a CoS?
An Undefined CoS can be assigned from your available allocation. A Defined CoS must be requested first and is often processed quickly, but UKVI can ask for more information before approval.
Can I reuse a Certificate of Sponsorship?
No. An assigned CoS is tied to one worker and one application. If it is not used within 3 months, it normally expires.
Can I recover the cost from my employee?
No. You must not recover the CoS fee, sponsor licence fee or Immigration Skills Charge from the worker.
What if I assign a CoS incorrectly?
Errors can delay or lead to refusal of the visa application and may affect your sponsor licence compliance record. It is always better to check the details before assignment.
Talk to us before you sponsor
If you are preparing your first sponsored hire or reviewing your internal process, get in touch with our team on 07704 909490 for clear, practical advice before you assign a certificate.