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Sanwar Ali comment:
As many people will know already the availability of Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship CoSs for employers with a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence remains good. Restricted CoSs are mainly used by employers who wish to employ Tier 2 visa applicants who are resident outside the UK. It is also needed to employ those who are switching from a Tier 4 Dependent visa to a Tier 2 visa. Since 6 July 2018 doctors and nurses applying from abroad no longer need a Restricted CoS. Since this time there has not been a shortage of Restricted CoSs.
One source of confusion has been the increase in the points requirement since 2 June 2019. Due to the changes in the way that points are awarded now it has not really made much difference. In addition, in recent months there have been lengthy delays in announcing the Restricted Certificate of Sponsorship allocation. Too busy dealing with Brexit related issues?
Following the September Tier 2 visa allocation of restricted certificates of sponsorship meeting, held on the 12th, all valid applications received by 5 September were successful if they scored at least 40 points, while 2,107 certificates were made available for allocation in October.
Tier 2 Visa Restricted CoS October Allocation Meeting
The most recent Tier 2 visa allocation of restricted certificates of sponsorship meeting, held in October, specified that the number of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) available for November 2019 stands at 2,031, according to UK Visas and Immigration data.
An employer with a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence needs to apply for Certificates of Sponsorship for immigrants they wish to employ. Under the current UK immigration system, unused Tier 2 restricted CoS to employ people who are currently based outside the UK, can be reclaimed after three months. This increases the availability of restricted CoS.
The number of certificates reclaimed as not used within three months for the month of October, totalled 188.
The latest, Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship allocation meeting took place on 11 October, 2019. All valid applications lodged by 5 October were successful, provided they scored a minimum of 40 points.
The breakdown of Tier 2 CoS for the month of October looks like this:
Number of Tier 2 Certificates of Sponsorship from annual limit set aside for allocation meeting in October. | 1,500 |
Balance of Certificates of Sponsorship carried over from previous month (September). | 343 |
Number of certificates returned during previous month (September). | 0 |
Number of certificates reclaimed as not used within three months. | 188 |
Number of certificates granted by exceptional consideration outside of monthly allocation during previous month (September). | 3 |
Total number of Certificates of Sponsorship available for allocation in October. | 2,031 |
Minimum point score for successful applications in October. | 40* |
Total number of Certificates of Sponsorship granted in October. | 1,500 |
Tier 2 (General – New hires under £159,600). | 1,481 |
Tier 2 (General – Tier 4 dependant switching to Tier 2). | 19 |
Balance of certificates of sponsorship carried over to November 2019. | 531 |
Number of certificates of sponsorship available for allocation in November 2019. | 2,031 |
* Applications received from 2 June, 2019 required a minimum points score of 40 to be successful. However, the new points system makes little difference.
The next UK Visas and Immigration allocation meeting is due to take place on 11 November, 2019. Once details of the meeting are published, they will indicate the number of Tier 2 CoS that will be available for the month of December, 2019.
Workpermit.com can help with Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship Licences and Tier 2 Visas
If you need help with a Tier 2 visa, or a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence, including help with complying with your Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence obligations, workpermit.com can help.
Many employers face sudden, unannounced onsite inspections. Contact us for a copy of our free Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence Compliance guide.
For more information and advice on UK immigration law and UK visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
