Free resource
Certificate of Sponsorship timeline
By Nancy Osazee, Founder
The Certificate of Sponsorship is a reference the sponsor assigns in the sponsorship system. You use that reference in your visa application. You do not apply for the visa and hope the certificate appears later.
The employer controls when they assign it. You control when you apply, pay, and book the identity step. Write the dates down so a delay is visible.
Written by Nancy Osazee, Founder of CareerPilot. This is a practical note, not advice about your own visa, contract, or legal case. Read the official page linked on this sheet before you rely on a figure.
How the certificate fits into the application
- Confirm the sponsor and the job. Check the register, the occupation code, the hours, and the salary before you resign.
- Wait for the reference. The sponsor assigns the certificate. Ask for the reference number and the start and end dates on it.
- Apply online. The Skilled Worker application asks for the certificate reference. The fee and the healthcare surcharge are shown on that application. This page does not quote them, because they change.
- Prove your identity. Follow the route the application gives you. Do not send your passport to the employer.
Dates worth keeping
- The day the employer said they would assign the certificate.
- The day the reference arrived, and the work start date printed on it.
- The day you submitted the application.
- The day you proved your identity.
Download it now
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Or leave your email
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On CareerPilot
Find roles first. Start the certificate timeline only when an employer is actually offering to sponsor you.
Questions
Can I apply before the certificate exists?
No. A valid Certificate of Sponsorship is part of the sponsorship points. Appendix Skilled Worker says the applicant must have one for the job.
Should I post my passport to the employer?
No. Identity checks are part of the visa application, not a parcel to a recruiter.
How long does a decision take?
The current time is on the GOV.UK Skilled Worker page for the service you are using. Do not trust a recruiter's promise of a fixed number of days.
Sources
Last checked 10 October 2026.