Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship
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Some UK visas can take months to be processed by UK Immigration. Or you may have to attend in person at the public enquiry office.We are OISC registered and, if you are already in the UK, we can submit your visa application and get it processed on the same day! Please note that we only have a limited number of slots each week, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible. Call our London Office on 0344 991 9222 for further details.
Updated May 2013
Introduction
In order to apply for a Tier 2 UK visa, you must have a valid 'Certificate of Sponsorship' from the employer who has offered you a job.
The 'Certificate of Sponsorship' is, in fact, a unique reference number which links you to the job you intend to do and your employer. You will not receive a paper certificate.
It is your Sponsor's responsibility to provide you with:
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Information associated with that reference number such as the declared wage
What makes a Certificate of Sponsorship 'valid'?
For your visa application to be successful, your Certificate of Sponsorship must be 'valid'. To be valid, a Certificate of Sponsorship must- Be clearly yours. It must bear your name, age and other details as they appear on your passport
- Have been 'Live' for no more than 3 months when you make your Tier 2 visa application. Please note, if you fail to make your application within three months, you must apply for a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your sponsor.
- Not have been withdrawn or cancelled by either the Sponsor or by the UK Border Agency
When is a Certificate of Sponsorship 'live'?
In order for your visa application to be successful, your Certificate of Sponsorship must also be 'live'.A Certificate of Sponsorship
- becomes live at the point where a reference number has been allocated to it by the Sponsorship Management System of the UK Border Agency
- remains live until such time as the applicant uses its reference number to make an application for leave (to enter or remain in the UK) under Tier 2
What if you have a 'live' Certificate of Sponsorship but decide not to go ahead with your application?
In that case, you should contact your sponsor who will cancel the Certificate of Sponsorship. If you fail to do so, it will expire after three months in any event.What if you have a 'live' Certificate of Sponsorship but decide to work in another position in the UK
If you wish to take up alternative employment in the UK then the procedure is as follows- You must ask your sponsor to withdraw your live Certificate of Sponsorship, either in writing or by email. You cannot apply for another Certificate while the original one remains live.
- The sponsor must then cancel your live Certificate within five days of receiving your request.
- If your sponsor does not cancel your Certificate, you can ask the Sponsor Licensing Unit of the UKBA to cancel it instead.
- Once the original Certificate is cancelled, you can apply for another from your preferred employer.
