We at Nation.Better navigate the Home Office’s evolving requirements on a daily basis, which gives us a clear view of the latest trends in processing times and additional document requests. In this article, we highlight the recent developments (as of October 2024) in the processing of Skilled Worker visas, Sponsor Licences, and Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) applications to help you stay informed and prepared.
Current Application Processing Times
Processing times for Skilled Worker visas, Sponsor Licences, and Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are prone to change. Depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK, and whether you choose priority or standard processing, the timeline can vary. Here’s how long it takes as of October 2024:
Skilled Worker Visa
- Inside the UK:
- Standard: up to 8 weeks
Priority: 5 working days
- Standard: up to 8 weeks
- Outside the UK:
- Standard: up to 3 weeks
- Priority: 5 working days
- Standard: up to 3 weeks
Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Undefined CoS (for workers inside the UK):
- Standard: 14-18 weeks, though in some cases it arrives earlier (around 10-12 weeks).
- Priority: 10 working days once the request is approved. You need to email the Home Office at exactly 9:00 a.m. to request priority service – even if you’re a few minutes late, you won’t get it. You can then try again the following day.
- Standard: 14-18 weeks, though in some cases it arrives earlier (around 10-12 weeks).
- Defined CoS (for workers outside the UK):
- Standard: although the Home Office claims 1-2 working days, additional document requests often extend this to up to 3-4 months. If no additional documents are needed, you may get a decision in 5-10 working days. Smaller companies usually get extra document requests more often.
Priority: not available.
! If your Defined CoS application remains “pending” after a week, we advise you to submit a new request, as follow-up applications sometimes tend to be processed more quickly.
Sponsor Licence
- Standard: although the Home Office claims 1-2 working days, additional document requests often extend this to up to 3-4 months. If no additional documents are needed, you may get a decision in 5-10 working days. Smaller companies usually get extra document requests more often.
- Standard: up to 8 weeks
Priority: 10 working days
! Note that if the Home Office requests additional documents, the final decision can take longer than anticipated.
Additional Document Requests from the Home OfficeOver the past few months, the Home Office has increased the frequency of additional document requests, especially for CoS applications. Unfortunately, these requests are not predictable and depend heavily on the caseworker handling the application, so being prepared is key. Here are the most common documents requested:
For Defined CoS:
- A clear business justification for hiring sponsored workers
- A full job description outlining the worker's duties
- An organisational chart showing your current employees, vacant positions, and where new hires will fit
- Recent business bank statements covering the last 6 months
- Copies of employment contracts for previously sponsored workers and a draft contract for the candidate you submit a CoS request for
- Explanation of how the company will fund additional workers
For Undefined CoS:
- Detailed job descriptions, including salary, hours, and required qualifications
- A breakdown of where the new workers will be located (must align with your listed branches)
- Organisational charts showing job roles and details for sponsored workers
- Passport copies and biometric details for identified candidates
- Evidence of current business contracts, especially in healthcare or care sectors
Additionally, the Home Office frequently requests:
- For Both CoS Types:
- Staff rotas showing employee duties over the last 4 weeks
- Details on how the company pays staff
- Copies of employment contracts for previously sponsored workers
- Photographs of the business premises, particularly for hospitality businesses
- Staff rotas showing employee duties over the last 4 weeks
- For Sponsor Licence applications:
Usually, the Home Office notifies companies that they intend to conduct an audit. Before confirming the day of an audit, the Home Office often asks for specific documents, such as:
- Bank statements and lease agreements: These are standard requests, used to verify the company's financial health and trading address
- Staff schedules and work location confirmations: Particularly for care companies, the Home Office may request detailed breakdowns of where employees are working, which can be challenging for care workers who serve clients at their homes.
- Right to work checks: This is a critical area of focus, especially for companies that haven't completed these checks before employees started working. Failure to have right to work documentation can lead to significant issues with compliance, sometimes resulting in rejection.
- Certified copies of original documents: Occasionally, the Home Office asks for certified copies of documents to verify authenticity.
! These requests often come with tight deadlines – you have to send additional documentation in 5 days, so it’s essential to have these documents ready when submitting your application to avoid delays.
- Staff schedules and work location confirmations: Particularly for care companies, the Home Office may request detailed breakdowns of where employees are working, which can be challenging for care workers who serve clients at their homes.
Recommendations for Successful Applications
- Be Prepared for Additional Requests: Keep essential documents, such as financial statements, job descriptions, and organisational charts, ready for submission.
- Batch CoS Applications: If you are hiring multiple workers for similar roles, submitting CoS requests in batches can expedite the process, as similar roles and salaries are more likely to be approved together. Keep in mind that those candidates’ salaries, job titles, and SOC codes must be the same.
- Ensure Right-to-Work Compliance: Conduct thorough right-to-work checks for all sponsored and non-settled employees. This has been a focal point for Home Office audits recently.
- Act Quickly for Priority Applications: For undefined CoS, submit your priority application at exactly 9:00 a.m. Even a few seconds delay can result in missed priority slots.
- Maintain Clear Business Justifications: Especially for smaller businesses, be prepared to explain why additional workers are necessary, and how your company will support them.
By following these steps and staying prepared, you can avoid delays and navigate the application process more efficiently. If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at Nation Better.