How to Handle Delays in Your CoS Allocation Request

The Home Office processes thousands of sponsorship requests through the digital management system daily. Most employers anticipate a standard turnaround time of up to eighteen weeks currently. However, many applicants pursuing a Skilled Worker visa experience unexpected pauses during this allocation phase. These interruptions frequently occur when the sponsor has not provided sufficient justification for the requested role. Your prospective employer must demonstrate genuine need before the authorities release the required certificate number.

A defined certificate is mandatory for candidates applying from outside the United Kingdom. If your application is straightforward, the Home Office typically decides within one working day under normal conditions. Complex cases requiring additional information often trigger a request for further evidence from your sponsoring company. This request for extra documentation automatically pauses the standard processing clock until the sponsor responds fully. Missing the submission deadline results in immediate rejection of the allocation request.

Undefined certificates serve applicants who are already legally residing within the UK borders. Sponsors draw these directly from their annual allocation if they have sufficient numbers remaining in their account. Running out of this annual allowance requires a formal increase request. This administrative step adds several weeks to the overall hiring timeline. Priority services can reduce this wait time significantly, often delivering a decision within five working days.

Employers must pay specific government fees for each certificate they assign to a prospective foreign employee. The standard fee for a worker certificate currently stands at £525 under the latest fee regulations. Regulations introduced in late 2024 explicitly forbid sponsors from passing these administrative costs to the worker. Any attempt to recoup this money puts the sponsor licence at risk. If your employer asks you to cover this specific cost, they are violating mandatory compliance duties.

The Immigration Skills Charge also applies to most sponsorship cases, costing medium or large sponsors £1,320 annually. Small companies pay a reduced rate of £480 per year of sponsorship. These financial obligations must be settled by the employer before the certificate becomes valid for use. Payment delays frequently cause the allocation process to stall indefinitely. Ensure your sponsor has cleared all necessary payments to avoid unnecessary bottlenecks.

Verifying that the proposed role meets all salary requirements is crucial for avoiding allocation rejections. The Home Office rejects applications where the pay does not meet the general threshold or going rate. Your offer must align with the standard occupational classification codes to be considered a valid vacancy. A competitive UK sponsored job salary ensures compliance with these strict rules. Inaccurate salary data remains a primary cause for long administrative delays.

Sponsors must include specific details about working hours in the digital record. If the weekly hours vary, the sponsor must explain the working pattern in the job description field. Failure to provide this level of detail often triggers a request for additional information from officials. Responding to these requests takes time and delays the certificate assignment. Accuracy in the initial application prevents these avoidable back-and-forth communications.

New entrants to the labour market may qualify for lower salary thresholds under specific tradeable points options. The sponsor must explicitly state which option the candidate claims points under. Omitting this justification forces the caseworker to pause the assessment while seeking clarification from the employer. Clear documentation of how the candidate meets the points requirement speeds up the final approval decision.

Communication between the applicant and the sponsor is vital during any period of unexpected delay. You should ask your employer to check their Sponsorship Management System account for any outstanding notifications. The system often flags invalid applications or requests for further evidence that the sponsor might miss. Prompt action on these alerts resolves many common processing issues quickly. If the delay persists beyond standard timelines, the sponsor can contact the dedicated business helpdesk directly.

Sometimes the delay stems from the annual allocation limit being reached. Sponsors must apply to renew their allocation before the financial year ends. This renewal process is not automatic and requires manual intervention. An expired allocation prevents the assignment of any new certificates. Verifying that your sponsor has a valid, remaining allocation is a prudent step for every applicant.

Ensuring the job role genuinely exists and is not created solely for immigration purposes is mandatory. The Home Office conducts genuine vacancy checks that can significantly extend the processing time for specific sectors. Confirming your Skilled Worker visa eligibility beforehand reduces the risk of refusal. Sponsors must retain evidence of the recruitment process for compliance audits.

Many candidates use online platforms to verify potential employers' sponsorship status. Our database of sponsor companies provides verified information to help you identify legitimate businesses with valid licences. Working with established sponsor companies often leads to smoother allocation outcomes. New sponsors may face additional scrutiny during their first allocation request.

Once the certificate is finally allocated, it must be assigned to the worker within ninety days. Failure to assign the certificate within this window results in its removal from the sponsor's account. The worker must then use this assigned certificate to apply for their visa within three months. Expired certificates cannot be reactivated and require a fresh application. Coordinate closely with your employer to meet these strict deadlines.

Changes to the job details after allocation but before assignment require careful management to avoid cancellation. Sponsors can add a note to update start dates or minor salary changes within permitted limits. Significant changes to the occupation code or core duties necessitate a completely new allocation request. Transparency regarding any changes ensures the final visa application matches the certificate details perfectly.

Handling delays requires patience and a proactive approach from both parties. Understanding the distinction between defined and undefined certificates clarifies which process your employer must follow currently. Most delays resolve once the sponsor provides the requested additional information. Keeping your documentation ready allows for immediate action once the certificate number is finally generated. Correct procedures prevent minor administrative hurdles from becoming major setbacks.

The landscape of UK immigration rules shifts frequently throughout the year. Staying informed about the latest fee structures and salary thresholds protects your application from unexpected rejections. Successful applicants monitor their progress and maintain open lines of communication with their sponsoring organisation. Your vigilance during this pre-application phase lays the groundwork for a successful transition to the UK.