The UK immigration system is complicated, and can get even more confusing if you do not understand the terms used. This glossary is designed to help employers, HR teams and education providers make sense of sponsor licence and visa terminology.
Business Immigration Terms
Authorising Officer (AO)
An Authorising Officer is a senior employee or company officer who is responsible for the organisation’s sponsor licence compliance. They ensure that the business adheres to Home Office regulations when employing talent from overseas.
The AO acts as the main contact with the Home Office or UKVI. They are accountable for managing the Sponsorship Management System, ensuring that it is used correctly and securely.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship or CoS is an electronic record issued to a migrant worker. It is required for Skilled Worker Visa applications, and is assigned via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
There are two types, defined and undefined. Defined applies to workers applying from outside the UK, and undefined applies to workers already in the UK who are switching or extending their visa.
Going Rate
The ‘going rate’ is the minimum salary an employer must pay for a specific job to qualify for a sponsored work visa. Each SOC code has its own going rate, based on the standard rates in the UK job market, Specific rates can be found on the UK government website.
Employers must pay the higher of:
- The minimum salary threshold, or
- The required percentage of the going rate for the job
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a fee that employers pay when sponsoring workers. It applies to the majority of Skilled Worker Visas. The fee amount varies by organisation size and visa duration.
This must be paid by the employer, not the worker.
Some roles are exempt from the charge.
Level 1 User
A Level 1 User is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organisation’s licence using the SMS. They manage CoS assignments and the reporting of changes to the Home Office.
They can also be the AO.
Level 2 User
A Level 2 User is an optional user who has restricted access to the SMS. They can assign CoS, but with restricted permissions. A Level 2 User is often used for operational support.
Sponsorship Management System (SMS)
The Sponsorship Management System is a Home Office portal used to manage an organisation’s licence. It is essential for compliance and audit readiness.
The SMS is used to:
- Create and assign CoS for prospective employees
- Create and assign Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies(CAS) for prospective students
- Report changes of circumstances of your sponsored employees / students
- Report changes of circumstances of the organisation
- Renew or request annual CoS/CAS allocations
- Renew annual Basic Compliance Assessment
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code
A SOC code is a four-digit code that the Home Office uses to classify job roles based on skill level, content and responsibilities. Primarily, it is used to determine whether a job qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa and to set minimum salary requirements.
Get Clarity on Immigration With Holmes & Partners
At Holmes & Partners, we strive to make UK immigration as simple as possible. Whether you are an employer or an education provider, we can help you navigate the journey to getting the best people from anywhere in the world.
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