The Home Office has updated the guidance on 19th March 2024 with the following announcements:
“Important information about Certificates of Sponsorship
This annex tells you how forthcoming changes to the Immigration Rules will affect Certificates of Sponsorship.
You should read this annex carefully to ensure you understand how these changes may affect you and your sponsored workers and any action you may need to take.
What is changing
There are important changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 4 April 2024. These include:
- replacing the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 system currently used in Appendix Skilled Occupations with the SOC 2020 system – this will mean changes to some occupation code numbers and job descriptions
- increasing salary thresholds for Skilled Workers, Global Business Mobility Workers, Scale-up Workers and Seasonal Workers
These changes will affect any application for entry clearance or permission supported by a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned on or after 4 April 2024.
Sponsorship management system unavailable
To implement these changes, the sponsor licence application form and the sponsorship management system (SMS) will be unavailable from 19:00 hours (7 pm) on 2 April 2024 until 09:00 hours (9 am) on 4 April 2024.
During this period you will not be able to:
- apply for a sponsor licence, apply to add routes to your licence, or renew your licence
- apply for any Skilled Worker Defined Certificates of Sponsorship (DCoS)
- ask to increase or renew your allocation of Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (UCoS)
- assign any Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to workers you wish to sponsor
You will therefore need to take action if you wish to apply for or assign any CoS before these changes take effect. The changes related to DCoS affect Skilled Worker applications only.
DCoS applications made before 7 pm on 2 April 2024
If you require any Skilled Worker DCoS before these changes take effect, you should apply for them as soon as possible.
We will process as many DCoS applications as we can before 7 pm on 2 April 2024. However, any applications which are still outstanding at that point will be cancelled. If your application is cancelled, you will need to make a new application after 9 am on 4 April 2024 based on the relevant SOC 2020 occupation codes and revised salary thresholds.
You should take care to submit all relevant information with your DCoS application so we can process it quickly and do not have to cancel it. We are unlikely to be able to process your application in time if we need to request further information.
DCoS applications granted before 7 pm on 2 April 2024
Any DCoS granted with a SOC 2010 occupation code cannot be assigned from 4 April 2024. This is because they will have the incorrect occupation code, which cannot be amended.
If you have been granted any DCoS with a SOC 2010 code, and you intend to assign them to a worker, you must do this before 7 pm on 2 April 2024. If you do not, the DCoS will be cancelled and you will need to make a new application for a DCoS after 9 am on 4 April 2024 based on the relevant SOC 2020 occupation codes and revised salary thresholds.
UCoS allocations
You will be unable to request an increase to your UCoS allocation, or apply to renew your allocation, between 7 pm on 2 April 2024 and 9 am on 4 April 2024.
If you made your request before 7 pm on 2 April 2024, we will consider it as normal but if your request is not decided (or you do not assign any CoS allocated to you) before 7 pm on 2 April 2024, you will need to ensure any CoS you assign after that date meets the new requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Existing UCoS allocations are not affected by these changes. However, if you wish to sponsor a worker under a SOC 2010 occupation under the existing Immigration Rules, you must assign a CoS to the worker before 7 pm on 2 April 2024.
If you have any UCoS with the status of ‘work in progress’ or ‘ready to go’ and have not assigned them by 7 pm on 2 April 2024, you will need to update them with the relevant SOC 2020 occupation code and ensure they meet the revised salary thresholds before you can assign them to a worker.
CoS assigned before 7 pm on 2 April 2024
DCoS or UCoS which have been assigned to workers before 7 pm on 2 April 2024 will not be cancelled. They will remain valid for the normal 3-month validity period
Applications for entry clearance or permission made using these CoS will be considered with reference to the salary thresholds and SOC 2010 occupation codes under the Immigration Rules in place before 4 April 2024, even if the worker applies on or after that date.”
In light of these imminent changes, it's crucial for sponsors and sponsored workers to act swiftly and diligently.
For assistance with CoS applications, Sponsor License, and Compliance Audit, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Our team is here to provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition in compliance with the new Immigration Rules.
Also Read:
Exciting Update for Skilled Worker Visa Holders: Expanded Opportunities for Supplementary Employment
YOGA Teachers Welcomed to the UK: Eligible for Skilled Worker Visas 
