• For most non-UK residents, it is mandatory to have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that allows you to enter the UK and work
• A Certificate of Sponsorship – commonly referred to as the CoS – is an e-document provided by a UK-based employer that has decided to hire you
• You can apply for a UK work visa once you have received a valid and genuine UK Sponsorship Certificate
• However, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is not the only requirement. To apply for any UK Work Visa, you must also meet various other eligibility criteria including English language requirement, meet maintenance funds requirement, and other requirements relevant to the category of visa
• We have discussed how you can verify a valid and genuine UK Sponsorship Certificate
• Prior to submitting your UK Work Visa application, take some time to grasp this information and by the end of this blog, you will know how to spot a fake or a genuine UK Sponsorship Certificate

1. Details about the sponsor i.e. Your employer in the UK) e.g. company name, their sponsor licence number
2. Date of starting your work in the UK + date of ending your work in the UK (those dates are also your visa start and end dates)
3. Your Job title, job type, and a summary of your job role
4. Gross salary
5. If your employer has certified maintenance for you and your family members
6. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) you have received can include the sponsor’s note if any additional information is needed

Check if your sponsor (UK-based employer) is registered as a ‘Licenced Sponsor’ on the Home Office’s sponsor licence register of employers.

Go to the official UK government website and fill out UK Work Visa application form online

If you have received a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – you will click on ‘Yes’

Type the Sponsor Licence number as seen on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

If the UK-based employer is not registered as a ‘Licenced Sponsor’, then the below error will show on your screen

• You have not applied for the job
• There are unexpected offers of sponsorship
• The UK-based employer requests your personal or financial information
• The UK-based employer is asking for money upfront to stamp the work permit
• You are asked to send your passport for stamping directly
• The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has confusing and unclear sponsorship agreements/terms
• You are required to pay your employer for visa costs and other costs

• Be cautious and save yourself from getting scammed.
• You must always check the company’s website and read through some reviews
• This will also help you to form a primary opinion of that UK-based employer
• Also, beware of these common scams! There have been multiple reports of scams, where the UK-based companies have claimed to the applicants to submit their passports to stamp Work Permits, However, this is a FALSE claim
• Any UK Work Permit is NOT stamped on the passport
• Applicants first have to receive a CoS and then apply for entry clearance
• The entry clearance when granted will have an initial period of 90 days, applicants are required to travel to the UK during this period and collect their biometric residence permits