1. What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital document issued by a UK employer who is sponsoring a foreign worker for a Skilled Worker Visa or another work visa category. The CoS is essential for the visa application process and must be assigned to each sponsored worker via the UK Sponsor Management System.
2. Cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
The Certificate of Sponsorship fee depends on the type of CoS issued:
- Defined CoS (for workers applying from outside the UK): £199 per certificate.
- Undefined CoS (for workers switching to a work visa within the UK): £199 per certificate.
This fee is paid by the sponsoring employer when assigning the CoS, and it is non-refundable.
3. Additional Costs for Sponsoring a Worker in the UK
Beyond the CoS fee, employers incur other charges when sponsoring a foreign worker:
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): A fee that employers pay for each sponsored worker. This is in addition to the CoS cost and varies by company size:
- Large Companies: £1,000 per year of sponsorship.
- Small or Charitable Companies: £364 per year of sponsorship.
- Sponsor License Fee: Employers must hold a valid Sponsor License to assign CoS. The license costs:
- £536 for small or charitable sponsors.
- £1,476 for medium or large sponsors.
- Visa Application Fees: While not a direct employer cost, visa fees for the sponsored worker range from £625 to £1,423 for a Skilled Worker Visa, depending on the visa length and type.
Employers should account for these fees when budgeting for the cost of sponsorship.
4. Summary of Key Costs for Sponsoring a Worker
| Expense | Cost for Small Sponsors | Cost for Large Sponsors |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £199 | £199 |
| Immigration Skills Charge | £364 per year | £1,000 per year |
| Sponsor License Fee | £536 | £1,476 |
These charges help employers estimate total sponsorship costs, which vary based on company size and the length of sponsorship.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can the CoS fee be refunded if the worker’s visa is denied?
A: No, the £199 CoS fee is non-refundable, even if the visa application is unsuccessful.
Q2: Who pays for the CoS and associated sponsorship costs?
A: The sponsoring employer typically covers the CoS and Immigration Skills Charge fees.
Q3: Does the CoS fee apply to dependents of the worker?
A: No, the CoS is only required for the primary sponsored worker, not dependents.
Q4: How long is a CoS valid once assigned?
A: A CoS must be used within 3 months of issuance for a visa application.
Q5: Can small businesses reduce their sponsorship costs?
A: Small or charitable businesses benefit from a lower Immigration Skills Charge and sponsor license fee, reducing overall costs.