Among the latest increases in Home Office fees announced last week, the cost of assigning Certificates of Sponsorship will rise from 4 October 2023.
The change impacts sponsor licence holders assigning all types of CoS to sponsored workers.
Most notably, the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker is rising to £239 from £199. The fee for a Certificate of Sponsorship for temporary workers is increasing to £25, up from £21.
New Certificate of Sponsorship fees
| Type of CoS | Current Fee | Fee from 4 October 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker | £199 | £239 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route, and Scale-up route | £21 | £25 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Over 12 Months | £199 | £239 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Up to 12 months or less | £21 | £25 |
Advice to sponsors
In light of the upcoming changes, sponsor licence holders may look to apply for defined CoS for Skilled Workers as soon as possible, and to expedite the filing of applications for initial sponsorship, extension and settlement before the fees take effect at midnight on 4 October 2023. You may also consider assigning CoS for the maximum allowable duration, where possible and appropriate under the relevant rules.
Need assistance?
DavidsonMorris are UK business immigration specialists. If you have a query about the CoS fee increases, such as advice on actions to take before the fees go live, or any other aspect of sponsor licence management or compliance, contact our experts.
Last updated: 21 September 2023
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
