Plain-English definitions for CoS, occupation codes, salary thresholds, sponsor ratings, and common UKVI terms.
Sponsorship terms are easier to use when they are connected to the job search. A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record assigned by a licensed sponsor. A sponsor licence lets an employer sponsor eligible workers on the routes listed on its licence. A 4-digit SOC occupation code connects the role to eligibility and salary rules.
Use the glossary before shortlisting companies so you can check whether the employer, role, salary, route, occupation code, and timing line up before investing time in an application. Re-check live sponsor status and policy-sensitive numbers on GOV.UK before relying on them.
CoS means Certificate of Sponsorship. It is an electronic record, not a paper certificate, and the worker uses its reference number in the visa application.
A sponsor rating is part of the employer's licence status. For most new sponsorship, candidates should confirm the employer has the right route and a current A-rating on the GOV.UK sponsor register.