This guide explains the requirements for jobs with a Certificate of Sponsorship, the current salary thresholds as of 2026, and practical steps to secure sponsored employment in the UK.
What Is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is not a physical certificate. It is a digital reference number issued by a UK employer who holds a sponsor licence. The CoS contains details about your job, salary, and the sponsor's licence number. You will need this reference number to complete your Skilled Worker visa application.
Only employers on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. The is updated regularly and lists all organisations currently authorised to sponsor workers under the Skilled Worker route.
Employers assign a CoS to a specific individual for a specific role. You cannot use someone else's CoS, and the details on the certificate must match your visa application and supporting documents exactly.
Eligible Occupations for Certificate of Sponsorship
Each eligible occupation is assigned a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and an associated "going rate"—the minimum hourly or annual salary for that role. Both the SOC code and going rate are listed in the Skilled Worker immigration salary list published by the Home Office.
Transitional Provisions for Medium-Skilled Occupations
If your job is on the medium-skilled list and you obtained your first certificate of sponsorship before 22 July 2025, you may still apply or extend your Skilled Worker visa under transitional rules. However, new applicants in medium-skilled roles after that date will not be eligible unless the role is reclassified or you meet an exception (such as healthcare or education roles).
Examples of Eligible Occupations
The immigration salary list includes hundreds of occupations. Common examples include:
Software engineers and developers
Nurses and health professionals
Teachers and education professionals
Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical)
Accountants and financial analysts
Marketing and sales professionals
Chefs (in specified establishments)
Graphic designers and architects
Each occupation has a unique SOC code. Your employer must confirm that your role matches the SOC code they list on your Certificate of Sponsorship. The Home Office will check this against the official salary list during your visa application.
Salary Thresholds for Jobs with Certificate of Sponsorship
You must meet two salary tests: the general threshold and the going rate for your specific occupation. Your salary must meet or exceed both requirements.
The going rate is occupation-specific and published in the immigration salary list. It may be expressed as an annual salary or an hourly rate. If it is hourly, you must calculate your annual equivalent based on your contracted hours.
Your salary must meet both the general threshold and the going rate. For example, if the general threshold is £41,700 and the going rate for your SOC code is £35,000, you must earn at least £41,700. If the going rate is £50,000, you must earn at least £50,000.
Pro-Rata Salary Calculations
If you work part-time, your salary must still meet the general threshold and going rate on a pro-rated basis. According to Home Office guidance on pro-rated salary calculations, if the going rate for a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) is £45,000 per year, but you work 30 hours per week, your pro-rated minimum salary would be (30 ÷ 37.5) × £45,000 = £36,000.
However, you must still meet the general salary threshold. If the general threshold is £41,700, a part-time worker would need to earn enough on a pro-rata basis to satisfy both tests.
Salary Reductions and Lower Thresholds
In limited circumstances, you may qualify with a lower salary:
Shortage occupations: Some roles on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) have reduced salary thresholds. Check the immigration salary list for details.
PhD-level roles: If your job requires a PhD in a subject relevant to the role, you may use a reduced threshold of 90% of the going rate. If the PhD is in a STEM subject, the reduction is to 80%.
Your employer must confirm your eligibility for any reduction on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
How Employers Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship
Only licensed sponsors can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. The employer must first apply for a sponsor licence from the Home Office. Once licensed, they can assign Certificates of Sponsorship to workers they wish to sponsor.
The CoS will include a reference number, start date, job title, SOC code, salary, and sponsor licence number. You will receive this reference number from your employer and use it to apply for your Skilled Worker visa.
Certificate of Sponsorship Fees
Employers pay a fee to assign each CoS. According to Home Office guidance, the standard fee is £239 per certificate. If the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List or the worker will earn less than £25,600 per year, the fee is £25.
Some employers may ask you to reimburse these costs, though this is less common and may affect your salary calculation for visa purposes.
Immigration Skills Charge
Employers must also pay an Immigration Skills Charge of £1,000 per year for large sponsors and £364 per year for small or charitable sponsors. This charge is paid when the CoS is assigned and covers the entire visa period (up to five years for a Skilled Worker visa).
Certain roles—including those in healthcare, education, and PhD-level occupations—are exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge.
Finding Jobs with Certificate of Sponsorship
The most reliable way to find jobs with sponsorship is to search for employers on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. This register lists all organisations currently able to sponsor Skilled Workers.
Step 1: Check the Register
Download the latest register from the GOV.UK website. The register is published as an Excel or CSV file and is updated regularly. You can filter by organisation name, town, or county.
Not all licensed sponsors are actively recruiting or willing to sponsor overseas workers for all roles. However, inclusion on the register confirms that the employer can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship if they choose to do so.
Step 2: Search Job Boards
Many UK job boards allow you to filter by visa sponsorship. The government's Find a job service includes a visa sponsorship filter, as does the Teaching Vacancies service for education roles.
When you apply, confirm directly with the employer that they are willing to sponsor you for the specific role. Some employers hold a licence but may not wish to sponsor for all vacancies.
Step 3: Research Sector-Specific Employers
Certain sectors—such as healthcare (NHS trusts), education (universities and schools), technology, and engineering—sponsor workers more frequently. Research major employers in your field and check whether they appear on the licensed sponsor register.
What Happens After You Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Once your employer assigns a CoS, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You will need:
Your CoS reference number
Proof of your salary (employment contract or letter)
Evidence of your English language ability
Proof of maintenance funds (usually £1,270 held for 28 days)
A valid passport
The visa application is made online, and you will need to book a biometric appointment. Processing times vary, but most applications are decided within three weeks if you apply from outside the UK.
Your visa will be granted for the length of your job (as stated on the CoS) plus 14 days before and after, up to a maximum of five years. You can extend your Skilled Worker visa if you continue to meet the requirements and your employer assigns a new CoS.
Switching Jobs and Transferring Your Certificate of Sponsorship
If you change employers while in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer. You must apply to update your visa before you start the new job.
Your new role must still meet the skill and salary thresholds. If your new employer is not a licensed sponsor, you cannot switch to that job without first leaving the Skilled Worker route.
You may hold more than one Skilled Worker visa if you work for multiple sponsors (for example, two part-time roles). Each sponsor must issue a separate CoS, and your combined earnings must meet the salary threshold.
Common Reasons a Certificate of Sponsorship May Be Refused or Withdrawn
Employers may refuse to issue a CoS if:
The role does not meet the skill or salary requirements.
The employer does not hold a valid sponsor licence.
The employer believes you do not have the right qualifications or experience.
The role is not genuine or is created solely to facilitate immigration.
If a CoS is issued but then withdrawn, you must inform the Home Office. A withdrawn CoS cannot be used for a visa application, and any pending application will be refused.
Key Points to Remember
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a digital reference number, not a physical document.
Your job must be on the immigration salary list and meet skill and salary thresholds.
The current general salary threshold is £41,700 per year, or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher.
