CoS Allocation Priority Service

Employers in the UK who are licensed to sponsor migrant workers must understand the rules around Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). A CoS is the digital document assigned to a worker that enables them to apply for a visa. Without a valid CoS, an application cannot proceed. The Home Office operates an allocation system to control how many CoS each sponsor may issue in a given period. For some employers, particularly those with urgent recruitment needs, waiting for a standard allocation decision can create delays. To address this, the Home Office offers a CoS allocation priority service.

What this article is about: This article explains how the CoS allocation priority service works. It covers the distinction between Defined and Undefined CoS, how allocation requests are made, who can apply for priority processing, and the associated costs and timescales. It also looks at the risks of misuse, sponsor compliance duties, and practical steps for HR teams and employers to make best use of the system.

By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of how to apply for priority CoS allocation, when it is worth doing so, and how to manage your responsibilities as a sponsor while making use of the service.

Section A: Understanding CoS Allocation

Employers licensed under the UK’s sponsorship system must be familiar with the role of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) in the visa process. A CoS acts as confirmation from the sponsor that the migrant worker has a genuine job offer that meets the requirements of the relevant immigration route. To maintain control of the system, the Home Office regulates how many CoS a sponsor can issue by operating an allocation process.

1. What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. Each CoS has a unique reference number that a worker must use when applying for their visa. The CoS confirms details such as the job title, duties, salary, and the sponsor’s licence number. It is the legal mechanism by which the Home Office ensures only approved sponsors can recruit overseas workers.

There are two main types of CoS:

• Defined CoS: Used for Skilled Worker applications made from outside the UK. Each request for a Defined CoS is considered individually by the Home Office.
• Undefined CoS: Used for Skilled Worker applications made from within the UK, and for certain temporary worker routes. Sponsors hold an annual allocation of Undefined CoS, which they can assign as needed.

The distinction between Defined and Undefined CoS is critical, as the allocation process differs depending on which type is required.

2. How CoS Allocation Works

The allocation system applies to Undefined CoS only. Each year, sponsors must apply to the Home Office for an annual allocation of Undefined CoS. This application is usually made in the months leading up to the allocation year, which runs from 6 April to 5 April. Sponsors must provide justification for the number of CoS requested, based on projected recruitment needs.

If an employer exhausts its allocation during the year, or needs more than originally anticipated, it can request additional CoS through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). These requests are assessed by the Home Office, and approval depends on the sponsor’s compliance history, the validity of the recruitment need, and supporting evidence provided. If a sponsor does not apply for an annual allocation, they may be given a zero allocation and would need to submit an in-year request for CoS.

Defined CoS, in contrast, are not managed by annual allocation. Sponsors apply for them on a case-by-case basis, and decisions are typically faster, as the Home Office recognises the urgency of overseas recruitment.

Section Summary
The CoS system is central to the sponsorship framework, ensuring only approved employers can assign certificates to overseas workers. Sponsors must understand the difference between Defined and Undefined CoS, as well as how annual allocations work. Undefined CoS are managed through yearly allocations, while Defined CoS are requested individually. Mastering this distinction is essential before considering the CoS allocation priority service.

Section B: The CoS Allocation Priority Service Explained

The CoS allocation priority service was introduced to help sponsors deal with urgent recruitment needs by fast-tracking decisions on certain types of requests. For employers facing time-sensitive hiring, the priority service can make a significant difference in securing skilled workers without avoidable delays.

1. What is the Priority Service?

The priority service allows licensed sponsors to request faster consideration of certain CoS allocation requests. Instead of waiting weeks for a standard decision, sponsors can pay an additional fee for expedited processing. This service is especially valuable where the timing of a visa application is critical, for example, when an employee’s start date is imminent or where delays could harm business operations.

The service applies to specific requests made through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), such as an application for additional Undefined CoS. It does not replace the normal allocation process, but provides an accelerated route for eligible cases.

2. Eligibility for Priority Requests

Not every sponsor request qualifies for the priority service. The Home Office has published criteria for eligible requests, which generally cover:

• Requests for additional Undefined CoS during the allocation year.
• Certain other urgent changes or updates made through the SMS that directly impact an employer’s ability to sponsor a worker.

The service does not cover Defined CoS requests, as these are already considered on a faster, case-by-case basis. It also excludes routine updates to sponsor details or other administrative changes that do not directly affect a worker’s visa application.

Sponsors must also ensure their licence is fully compliant. Sponsors with a history of non-compliance, or those under review by the Home Office, may find their requests rejected even if they pay for priority consideration. The process also requires sponsors to email the dedicated priority service inbox after submitting the request in SMS, to confirm payment and queue entry.

3. Costs and Processing Times

The priority service involves an additional fee, set by the Home Office. The charge is £200 per request, not per individual CoS. This fee is payable as part of the process and is non-refundable, even if the request is later refused.

In return for the fee, the Home Office aims to process the request within five working days. This period runs from the point at which the request is accepted into the priority queue, not from the time of submission. This is considerably quicker than standard allocation decisions, which may take several weeks depending on demand and case complexity. However, the service operates on a limited capacity basis, with only a set number of daily slots available. Sponsors must therefore act promptly to secure a slot.

Section Summary
The CoS allocation priority service provides sponsors with a way to expedite certain allocation requests for an additional fee. Eligibility is restricted to specific types of requests, mainly relating to Undefined CoS. With a processing time of around five working days from acceptance into the queue, the service is an important option for employers with urgent recruitment needs, but it requires careful planning due to limited daily availability and strict eligibility rules.

Section C: Making a Priority CoS Allocation Request

Employers considering the CoS allocation priority service must understand the exact process for making a request. The Home Office has set out strict steps and evidence requirements, and failure to comply can lead to delays or outright rejection. Proper preparation is therefore essential.

1. Application Process

The process for making a priority CoS allocation request begins in the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Sponsors should follow these steps:

1. Log into the SMS using a Level 1 user account.
2. Submit a request for additional Undefined CoS, providing a clear explanation of the recruitment need and why priority is required.
3. Upload supporting documentation demonstrating the genuine need, such as signed or draft contracts, evidence of recruitment activity, business plans, or project start dates.
4. Complete the priority request step as directed and note the reference generated in SMS.
5. Email the dedicated UKVI priority service inbox with the reference and evidence as instructed in the sponsor guidance; payment of the £200 fee is taken via the priority process and not merely by selecting a button in SMS.
6. Monitor SMS and email for confirmation that the request has been accepted into the priority queue; the 5 working day timeframe runs from this acceptance, not from initial submission.

Keep a record of all correspondence and ensure a Level 1 user is available to respond quickly to any UKVI queries during processing.

2. Common Issues and Refusals

Priority does not guarantee approval. Requests can be refused or delayed for reasons including:

• Insufficient evidence of a genuine, time-critical need for additional CoS.
• Licence non-compliance or ongoing UKVI scrutiny, including a B-rating or recent breaches.
• Capacity limits where the daily priority quota has already been filled.
• Incorrect SMS submissions or inconsistent information between SMS and supporting documents.

Refusals may prompt further compliance scrutiny. The £200 fee is per request and non-refundable even if refused.

3. Practical Tips for Employers

To maximise success and minimise delay:

• Forecast hiring needs and apply early, particularly ahead of peak onboarding periods.
• Assemble evidence before submission and ensure HR, recruitment, and immigration records align.
• Submit early in the day due to limited daily slots and monitor inboxes for UKVI messages.
• Maintain robust compliance systems, including a central log of CoS allocations, usage, and expiry dates.
• Assign CoS promptly once granted and always within three months, ensuring the worker applies while the CoS remains valid.

Section Summary
Applying for a priority CoS allocation requires careful SMS submission, emailing the priority inbox with the correct reference and evidence, and payment of the £200 fee. Processing targets begin only once UKVI accepts the case into the priority queue. Strong documentation, early submission, and proven compliance significantly improve outcomes.

Section D: Compliance and Best Practice

While the CoS allocation priority service can help sponsors expedite recruitment, it does not reduce or replace compliance obligations. Sponsors must continue to meet the duties attached to their licence, and any misuse or weak controls can lead to suspension, downgrading, or revocation.

1. Sponsor Licence Duties

All sponsors must meet duties set out in the sponsor guidance, including:

• Record-keeping: Retain prescribed documents for each sponsored worker (e.g., passports, right to work checks, contracts, salary records), and maintain up-to-date contact details and work locations.
• Reporting: Notify changes via SMS within required deadlines (role changes, salary changes, changes in work location including hybrid/remote patterns where relevant, absences, and employment termination).
• Genuine vacancy and salary: Ensure the role meets route-specific rules, skill level, and salary thresholds; avoid artificially inflating duties or salaries.
• Timely assignment and use: Assign CoS promptly and within three months of grant; ensure the worker applies for their visa while the CoS is valid.

2. Risks of Misuse

The priority service must only be used for legitimate, time-critical allocation requests. Risks that can trigger UKVI scrutiny include:

• Requesting additional Undefined CoS without clear evidence of genuine and immediate need.
• Assigning CoS to roles that do not meet Skilled Worker or other route requirements, including minimum salary or skill level.
• Consistently leaving CoS unused or expiring, suggesting poor workforce planning or weak controls.
• Submitting inconsistent or inaccurate information between SMS entries and supporting documentation.

Patterns of poor usage can lead to compliance visits and enforcement action, even where priority fees have been paid.

3. Best Practice for HR and Employers

To balance speed with compliance, embed the following controls:

• Governance and ownership: Designate trained Level 1 users and clear escalation routes for urgent requests.
• Allocation planning: Forecast annual and in-year CoS needs; review utilisation monthly and apply early for top-ups before peak demand.
• Documentation readiness: Prepare contracts, offer letters, recruitment evidence, and business case materials before submitting requests.
• Central tracking: Maintain a live register of CoS grants, assignment dates, expiry, and visa application status to avoid lapses.
• Audit cadence: Run periodic internal audits against sponsor guidance, including spot-checks on genuine vacancy, salaries, and work locations.
• Strategic use of priority: Reserve priority slots for critical hires or immovable start dates; avoid routine reliance that may signal planning weaknesses.

Section Summary
The priority service accelerates specific CoS allocation decisions but carries no relaxation of sponsor duties. Robust planning, accurate evidence, and disciplined tracking are essential to avoid compliance risk. Use the service strategically, assign CoS within three months, and keep records and reporting airtight to protect your licence.

FAQs

What is the difference between Defined and Undefined CoS?

Defined CoS are used for Skilled Worker visa applications made from outside the UK and are requested individually. Undefined CoS are mainly for in-country Skilled Worker applications and some temporary worker routes; these are managed via a sponsor’s annual allocation and in-year top-up requests.

How much does the priority service cost?

The Home Office charges £200 per priority request. This is a fee per request (not per individual CoS) and is non-refundable even if the request is refused.

How long does a priority CoS allocation request take?

UKVI aims to process priority allocation requests within five working days, starting from when the case is accepted into the priority queue (not the moment of initial submission). Daily capacity is limited, so early submission helps.

Can a small business use the priority service?

Yes. Any licensed sponsor can use the priority service if they meet eligibility criteria and are compliant with sponsor duties.

What happens if my priority request is refused?

The £200 fee will not be refunded. You can reapply via the standard process or submit a new priority request with stronger evidence if eligible. Refusals may prompt further compliance scrutiny of your licence.

Conclusion

The Certificate of Sponsorship allocation priority service provides UK sponsors with a mechanism to fast-track certain allocation requests, helping employers manage urgent recruitment needs more effectively. For businesses dependent on timely onboarding of skilled workers, the service can reduce delays and ensure operations continue without disruption.

However, the benefits of the priority service must be balanced with strict compliance obligations. Sponsors must continue to meet their duties under the Immigration Rules, including accurate record-keeping, timely reporting, ensuring vacancies are genuine, and meeting minimum salary thresholds. CoS must also be assigned promptly and within three months of being granted. Misuse of the service or poor compliance practices can place the sponsor licence at risk, leading to suspension or revocation.

Employers who plan workforce needs in advance, prepare strong supporting evidence, and use the priority service only when necessary will find it a valuable tool within the broader sponsorship framework. By combining efficient use of the service with robust compliance, HR teams and sponsors can protect their licence while meeting urgent hiring demands.

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