A Complete Timeline for the Skilled Worker Sponsorship Process

November 7, 2024

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One of the most common questions we get at Borderless is, "How long will the Skilled Worker visa process take?" While many employers are familiar with the sponsor licence fees, timelines can be less clear. This guide outlines the timeline for each step of the Skilled Worker sponsorship process to help you plan accurately.

Step 1: Obtaining a Sponsor Licence

The first step in hiring Skilled Workers is securing a sponsor licence. Here’s how long this typically takes:
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Process	Standard Processing Time	Expedited Processing (Additional £500)
Sponsor Licence Approval	Up to 8 weeks	10 working days

For more on sponsor licences, read our article on how long does a sponsor licence take.

Step 2: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requests and Assignment

Once you have a sponsor licence, the next step is issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each candidate. There are two types of CoS with different timelines:

CoS Type	Typical Processing Time	Additional Details
Priority Undefined CoS	10 working days	For candidates applying within the UK; expedited for faster processing.
Standard Undefined CoS	4-8 weeks	Processing time may vary under standard processing.
Defined CoS	Government states 1 working day, but typically up to 4 weeks	Required for candidates applying from outside the UK; processing time can vary by case.

To learn more about the differences between Defined and Undefined CoS, check out our guide on Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship.

Step 3: Gathering Support Documents for the Visa Application

Candidates must gather specific documents to apply for the Skilled Worker visa. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline for these documents:

Document	Required If/When	Timeline
Passport	Only needed if their current passport is expired.	Up to 4 weeks
Tuberculosis Test Results	Required for candidates from specified countries.	Up to 1 week
PhD Confirmation from Ecctis	Required if PhD was awarded outside the UK.	Up to 4 weeks
Criminal Record Certificate	Needed for specified roles and each country lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years	Up to 4 weeks (may vary by country)
ATAS Certificate	Required for candidates conducting specific research in the UK.	Up to 3 weeks

Note: Tuberculosis tests must be conducted at Home Office-approved clinics. For more on document requirements, check out Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship.

Step 4: Proving English Language Proficiency

English proficiency is essential, and candidates typically choose from two options:

Method	Description	Timeline
English Test	Candidates take an approved test in their home country.	Up to 3 weeks (varies by location)
AQUALS and/or ELPS from Ecctis	For candidates with a degree taught in English outside the UK.	10–30 days

Step 5: Receiving a Visa Application Decision

The time to receive a Skilled Worker visa decision depends on the candidate’s location:

Application Location	Standard Processing Time	Expedited (Priority Service)
Within the UK	Up to 8 weeks	5 working days
Outside the UK	Up to 3 weeks	5 working days

For a closer look at government fees, try our visa fees calculator.

Step 6: TUPE Process (If Applicable)

If your organization is acquiring another business with sponsored employees, a TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) process may be necessary.

TUPE Process	Description	Timeline
Transfer of Sponsored Employees	Required for organizations acquiring employees sponsored under an existing licence	8–18 weeks, depending on specifics of the transfer

For more details, see our article on Sponsor Licence Change of Ownership.

Work with Borderless to Make Sponsorship Seamless

At Borderless, we simplify the sponsorship process for employers and candidates, offering:

Fast, efficient sponsor licence applications
Full support for CoS requests, assignments, and visa processing
Expert guidance on sponsor licence compliance

Ready to streamline your Skilled Worker sponsorship process? Get in touch with us to learn how Borderless can support your sponsorship needs and ensure compliance every step of the way.

Try out the calculator for yourself