What is the UK’s Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (DCoS)?

A Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (DCoS) is a crucial electronic document for UK employers seeking to sponsor migrant workers under the Skilled Worker visa scheme. Unlike an undefined CoS, a DCoS confirms the employer's ability to sponsor a migrant worker and verifies that the job offer aligns with visa eligibility criteria.

The recent overhaul of the UK's immigration framework ushered in significant changes, notably replacing the Tier 2 (General) visa with the Skilled Worker route and revising the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) system. Formerly categorized as restricted and unrestricted, CoS designations have now evolved into Defined and Undefined categories.

A fundamental requisite for individuals seeking sponsored work routes, such as the Skilled Worker visa and Global Business Mobility visas, is securing a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer. Unlike a tangible document, the CoS is a unique reference number utilized by employers to affirm that the candidate satisfies visa criteria, encompassing skill proficiency and salary benchmarks.

Sponsors are mandated to allocate the appropriate type of CoS to sponsored workers within the points-based framework. Facilitating this process is the Sponsor Management System (SMS), an online platform administered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Through the SMS, sponsors not only manage their licenses but also request and assign Certificates of Sponsorship thus streamlining the sponsorship process for visa applicants.

What are the latest changes introduces as per the latest UK’s Defined Certificate of Sponsorship ?

• Recently, the Home Office implemented a significant update requiring sponsors to disclose the total weekly working hours of the migrant worker in their DCoS applications. 
• This addition is vital for assessing whether the offered salary meets the minimum requirements for the Skilled Worker visa.

What the steps for the DCos Application?

The DCoS application process involves several key steps. 

• Initially, employers must register with the Home Office as sponsors. 
• Subsequently, they can allocate a DCoS to a specific migrant worker for a particular job vacancy 
• Then submit the application along with necessary supporting documents. 
• Following submission, the Home Office evaluates the application and issues a decision.

It is important that the sponsors must adhere to the new requirement for disclosing weekly working hours to ensure smooth processing of DCoS applications and to avoid any delays.  To adhere to the updates is highly essential for both the employers and employees who are looking for a new life in the UK.