Glossary

Standard Occupational Classification code used to categorise jobs for immigration purposes. Each sponsored role must be assigned the correct SOC code. Misassignment — as in the Southcroft case where 97 workers were given code 6145 instead of the correct classification — can trigger mandatory licence revocation.

A virtual document assigned by a licensed sponsor to a migrant worker. It contains details of the job, salary, and SOC code. There are two types: Defined (for overseas applicants, pre-approved) and Undefined (annual allocation, for in-country switching). In 2024, over 248,000 CoS were issued across all routes.

Grounds under which the Home Office must revoke a sponsor licence — there is no discretion. Includes employing illegal workers, failure to maintain records, and providing false information. The Southcroft judgment confirmed that even genuine administrative mistakes trigger mandatory revocation.

A licence granted by the Home Office that allows UK employers to sponsor migrant workers. Described by the courts as a 'fragile gift' — it can be suspended or revoked at any time. Nearly one in two applications now fail. The licence carries ongoing compliance duties.

The Home Office's online portal through which sponsors manage their licence, assign Certificates of Sponsorship, and report changes. All compliance reporting must be done through the SMS. Level 1 Users have full access; Level 2 Users have limited permissions.

The primary user on a sponsor's SMS account with full access to all functions including assigning CoS, reporting changes, and managing other users. Every sponsor must have at least one Level 1 User who is a settled worker based in the UK.

Permanent settlement status in the UK. Skilled Worker visa holders can apply after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. When a sponsor's licence is revoked, workers lose their route to ILR — even if they were months away from qualifying.

When a sponsor licence is revoked, all sponsored workers receive a 60-day letter giving them 60 days to find a new sponsor, switch visa category, or leave the UK. An estimated 34,000 health and care workers are currently navigating this limbo.

After licence revocation, sponsors cannot reapply immediately. The cooling-off period was extended in July 2025. For businesses that depended on sponsored workers, this is effectively a death sentence. Some find workarounds through restructuring under new company numbers.

Financial penalties imposed on employers for immigration breaches. First breach: £45,000 per illegal worker. Repeat breach: £60,000 per worker. The Home Office issued record volumes of civil penalties in 2024-25.

Replaced the Shortage Occupation List in April 2024. Lists occupations eligible for a 20% salary discount. Set to expire 31 December 2026 — if not renewed, all health worker visa applicants will need to meet the full £38,700 general salary threshold.

The main work visa route, replacing the Tier 2 (General) visa from January 2021. Requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a valid CoS, and meeting the salary threshold. In 2025, grants fell to 45,797 — the lowest since Brexit.

A dedicated visa route launched in August 2020 with reduced fees and faster processing for health and care workers. Closed to new overseas applicants since 22 July 2025. At its peak, over 100,000 visas were granted in a single year.

The difference between the number of people immigrating to and emigrating from the UK. Reached a record 898,000 in the year ending June 2023. The ONS has revised figures multiple times, creating political controversy.

The UK's immigration framework introduced in January 2021 to replace EU free movement. Assigns points for job offer, salary, English language, and qualifications. Replaced the previous Tier system.

The Home Office requirement that every sponsored role must be a genuine vacancy — not created primarily to facilitate immigration. Compliance officers assess this during visits.

Previously required sponsors to advertise roles to settled workers before sponsoring a migrant. Abolished under the points-based system in 2021, but the genuine vacancy requirement remains.

The table within the Immigration Rules that sets minimum salary rates for each SOC code. Sponsors must pay at least the going rate or the general threshold — whichever is higher. Updated periodically based on ASHE data.

Legal obligation on all UK employers to verify that employees have the right to work in the UK before employment begins. Failure to conduct proper checks can result in civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

Published May 2025, the government's immigration White Paper proposed earned settlement (requiring 10 years instead of 5), temporary protection visas, and a new Labour Market Evidence Body. Described as the biggest overhaul since Brexit.

From January 2026, all Skilled Worker visa applicants must demonstrate B2 level English (upper intermediate). Previously B1 was sufficient. This affects many care workers whose English may be at a lower level.

Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings — the ONS dataset used to calculate going rates for sponsored occupations. Updated annually, it determines the minimum salary for each SOC code under Annex C.

The predecessor to the Skilled Worker visa, used from 2008 to 2020. Required a Resident Labour Market Test and had an annual cap of 20,700 restricted CoS. Replaced by the points-based system.

An inspection by the Home Office to verify that sponsors are meeting their duties. Can be announced or unannounced. The Home Office operates with a 'fairly high index of suspicion' and may interview workers, inspect documents, and check premises.

A temporary measure where the Home Office suspends a sponsor's ability to assign new CoS while investigating potential breaches. In 2024-25, over 1,700 licences were suspended — most proceeded to full revocation.

A type of Certificate of Sponsorship used for overseas applicants who need entry clearance. Must be individually approved by the Home Office before assignment. Used for new hires from abroad.

A type of Certificate of Sponsorship used for in-country applicants (switching visa categories or extending). Drawn from an annual allocation. Does not require individual Home Office approval.

The predecessor to the Immigration Salary List, listing occupations where there was a recognised shortage of workers. Offered a 20% salary discount and exemption from the RLMT. Replaced by the ISL in April 2024.

A levy paid by sponsors for each sponsored worker: £1,000/year for large sponsors, £364/year for small/charitable. Intended to fund training of UK workers. Generates significant revenue for the Treasury.

The equivalent of a CoS for student visa sponsors. Issued by licensed educational institutions to international students. Student visas accounted for over 40% of all work and study visas at their peak.