Skilled Worker Visas (formerly Tier 2) - guidance for individuals
What is the Certificate of Sponsorship process?
Once you have secured a formal offer of employment from the University the People and OD Operations Team will contact you to guide you through the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) process.
A Certificate of Sponsorship is not a paper document, but a number allocated to the University by the UK Home Office where certain criteria are met. In turn, People and OD Operations will allocate the CoS number to you, and you will need the number before you apply for a visa to come to or stay in the UK.
The fact that a CoS has been assigned does not guarantee that you will succeed in getting permission to enter or stay. You must meet certain requirements for the relevant tier and category, and apply for permission to enter or stay.
How long is my CoS valid?
A CoS for a Skilled Worker visa is valid for three months from the date of issue. After three months the certificate will lapse and you can no longer use this to support your visa application.
What am I allowed to do on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Information on what you can and can’t do on a Skilled Worker Visa is available on the UKVI website.
How do I apply for a Skilled Worker visa?
You will need to apply after we have given you a CoS number. We would strongly advise you to read the full UKVI guidance carefully and check the application requirements in your country of residence before applying.
Applications are submitted online in all countries except North Korea.
How long will it take to obtain a Skilled Worker visa?
You must not apply for a visa any sooner than three months before the start date given on your Certificate of Sponsorship. In addition, you will not be permitted to enter the UK any sooner than 14 days before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
The length of time taken to process visa applications can vary considerably from country to country. You should get a decision on your visa application within 3 weeks.
How long can I stay in the UK on my Skilled Worker visa?
You can come to the UK with a Skilled Worker visa for a maximum of 5 years and 14 days, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 1 month, whichever is shorter.
You can then apply to extend this visa, or after 5 years, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Who will pay the costs of sponsoring me on a Skilled Worker Visa?
- The University will pay for your Certificate of Sponsorship. We will certify maintenance for you and your dependents.
- You must pay for your Visa but will be reimbursed by the University for the standard visa cost after you have commenced employment.
- You must pay all NHS Health surcharges required during the visa application process, and for any of your dependents’ visas and health surcharges. However the University will offer you an interest-free loan to repay these costs. Details can be found here.
What if my visa application is refused?
If you submit your visa application late, or fail to supply the correct documentation, your application will be refused and the Certificate of Sponsorship will be rendered invalid.
The University will need to review the circumstances and decide whether to request another Certificate of Sponsorship from the Home Office.
Should the UKVI approve the request, People and OD Operations will issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship to you, and you will then need to submit a fresh visa application. Further details on visa refusals and the right to appeal can be found on the UKVI website.
I have been sponsored before and left the UK; can I be sponsored again?
Yes, the 'cooling off' period that meant that workers on Tier 2 visas had to wait 12 months before returning to the UK no longer applies. Therefore if you leave the UK you can be sponsored again; this would be subject to both a successful COS and Visa application.
I have a Skilled Worker visa and am about to commence employment for the University, what do I need to do?
- You must attend People and OD Operations in person prior to, or on, your first day with either a Biometric Resident Permit or your passport and 30 day passport vignette.
- Read the New Starter information leaflet.
I started working for the University on a Tier 2 visa before the Skilled Worker Visa was introduced; will I still be able to extend my Tier 2 visa?
As the Tier 2 visa scheme has been replaced, you cannot extend your Tier 2 visa when it expires.
Your options will include:
- Applying to extend your stay with a new Skilled Worker Visa. You will need a new COS, and you may need to meet new eligibility criteria to obtain the visa. Please read the UKVI guidance on extending your stay and liaise with People and OD Operations (people-od.operations@manchester.ac.uk) to request a new COS as soon as possible.
- Apply for indefinite leave to remain (if you have lived in the UK for 5 years).