Many UK Companies with sponsorship licences can expect an email from the Home Office to inform them that their annual Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (UCoS) allocation will be up for renewal. The Home Office usually send out these emails between January and April of every year.
The renewal will be due for the start of the new tax year in April 2022.
UK Companies with sponsorship licenses will need to apply to the Home Office for the renewal if they know that they will require Undefined CoS between April 2022 and April 2023.
UK Companies who were registered as licensed sponsors prior to December 2020 will note that Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship were previously known as Unrestricted Certificates of Sponsorship.
What companies need to renew their Certificate of Sponsorships?
Companies employing Skilled Workers (previously known as Tier 2 (General) Migrants)
Companies will require further Undefined CoS if they have any migrants holding Skilled Worker (or “Tier 2 (General)”) visas working for them who need to extend their permits between April 2022 and April 2023. Thus, if they will need to extend their visas within the next tax year it would be appropriate to request renewal of the UCoS allocation for a sufficient number of certificates to be made available for these workers’ visa extension applications.
Companies may also require an UCoS if they have identified any new migrant workers they wish to employ before April 2023, and who are currently resident in the UK as Skilled Workers or in another visa category that allows them to switch into the Skilled Worker category.
If you have identified any such migrants, you are welcome to contact the Breytenbachs Skilled Worker Team.
Not needing an Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship Allocation
If a company does not believe it has any reason to renew its Undefined CoS allocation then there is no need to take any action in regards to the Home Office emails notifying of the upcoming renewal date. If, at a later stage, a company with no UCoS allocation in place finds it requires an UCoS to employ a Skilled Worker, there is no reason for concern. Companies are able to apply for Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship allocation renewal at any point in time.
How Breytenbachs can help you
Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants have a team of OISC registered consultants dealing specifically with Sponsorship licences and Skilled Workers. They assist both employers and employees to navigate through the application processes and procedures. Contact us today.