Process & Timing
UK Sponsor Licence vs Certificate of Sponsorship — Difference Explained
A sponsor licence is permission granted to a UK employer to sponsor workers; a Certificate of Sponsorship is a unique reference issued by that employer to a specific worker for a specific role.
Key fact
One sponsor licence can issue thousands of CoS; CoS valid 3 months
Step-by-step
- 1Sponsor licence: granted to employer, valid 4 years, costs £536–£1,476.
- 2CoS: unique reference issued to worker, valid 3 months, costs £239 to issue.
- 3You apply for the visa using the CoS reference.
- 4Without a CoS you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa.