How Long Does It Take to Get a Sponsorship Visa UK?

Most employers in the UK today are often looking to hire individuals who are skilled from outside the country. Obtaining a sponsorship visa in the UK goes through a process that is defined by time which is why today’s piece is titled “How long does it take to get a sponsorship visa UK?”

Of course, you know the time it takes is not constant for all roles. For an applying employee, it might take longer. On the other hand, it might not take much time for an employee who is receiving their visa. Other factors including visa type, employer readiness and the duration of processing can influence the time.

In today’s blog post, we will break down the entire process and explain the duration involved. This article will also offer necessary perspectives on what employees and employers can expect.

Let’s dive in!

Source: Freepik

How Long Does it Take to Get a Sponsorship Visa UK?: An Overview

A UK sponsorship visa allows you to move from your country of residence to the UK on a job basis. It is a given benefit that comes based on what your employer wants. However, your employer must have been first approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Once it is written that they have been approved then they can promise visa sponsorship and offer it. After that, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is assigned to you which you’ll need for your application. All these are important stages in the application of the sponsorship visa. They all have their various processing times, which we will examine in detail

How Long Does it Take to Get A Sponsorship License?

Any UK employer looking to hire workers from outside the country must firstly obtain a sponsorship license from UKVI. The time duration for this step varies depending on the complexity of the business and the nature of the sponsorship appeal.

Application submission: Once the employer submits their application for a sponsorship license online and provides the necessary documents required, they are in the queue for review. UKIV processes sponsorship license applications in about 8 weeks. However, employers can opt for a Priority Service, which increases the decision making process to 10 working days for an additional fee.
Delays and Rejections: Processing times may also be delayed if the employer fails to provide the required information or if UKVI raises any concerns about the business’s eligibility. While if an application is rejected, the applicant may need to reapply, which could add months to the required process.

Assigning A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once an employer has obtained the sponsorship license, the next step is to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the foreign worker.

The CoS is an important part of the visa application, as it provides the UK government with details about the job offer, salary, and other necessary information. There are two types of CoS, each of them with different processing times:

Undefined CoS: for workers who are already in the UK and are changing to a Skilled Worker visa or similar category, the employer can give an undefined CoS almost immediately through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). This process is relatively fast and can be completed as soon as all required details are entered into the system.
Defined CoS: For workers applying from outside the UK, the employer must appeal for a defined CoS. UKVI typically processes defined CoS requests within 1-2 weeks. However, if the role require more scrutiny (such as in highly skilled or sensitive fields), this time duration may be extended.

How Long Does it Take to Apply for A Visa?

Once the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is issued, the worker can move forward with their visa application. How long it takes to get a decision on a UK visa can vary. It depends on things like where the application is submitted and whether the applicant chooses any priority processing options.

Standard Visa Processing Times

Standard Processing: for most work visas, including the skilled worker visa, the standard processing time is about 3 weeks from the date the biometric information is submitted a the visa application center by the applicant. This applies to both applicant from within and outside UK.

Priority Service: For an additional fee, applicants can opt for a Priority Service, which reduces the time for processing to 5 working days.

Super Priority Service: Some visa application centers offer a Super Priority Service, which gives a guaranteed decision within 24 hours of submitting biometric data. This service is the fastest option but comes at a greater cost.

Applicants should be aware that not all visa application centers offer priority or super-priority services, especially those applying from outside the current country (UK). Availability differs depending on the location and current demand.

Factors that Affect Visa Processing Times

Various factors can influence the duration it takes to obtain a sponsorship visa:

Complexity of the Role: Highly specialized roles or positions in sectors that require increased vetting (such as healthcare or technology requiring Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance) can take longer to process.
Peak Periods: Visa application times can be extended during peak periods, such as summer or the end of the calendar year, when there are more applications than usual.
Completeness of the Application: Errors or mistakes in the visa application or missing documents can cause major delays. UKVI may also appeal for additional information, which can extend the duration it needs to receive a decision.
External Factors: Factors such as changes to immigration laws. Global pandemics or other unforeseen situations or circumstances can also slow down visa processing.

Source: Freepik

Total Time to Obtain a Sponsorship Visa

Sponsorship License Application: 8 weeks (or 10 working days with Priority Service).

Assigning a CoS: Immediate for undefined CoS; 1-2 weeks for defined CoS.

Visa Application Processing:

3 weeks for standard processing
5 working days with Priority Service
24 hours with Super Priority Service (where available).

Total Time Estimate:

In an ideal scenario with standard processing, the duration from the employer applying for a license to the worker receiving their visa can take around 12 to 14 weeks.

With Priority and Super Priority options at various stages, this duration can be shortened to around 4 to 6 weeks.

Post-Visa Approval

These are the necessary steps for both the employers and the workers. Once the visa has been approved the worker can travel to or remain in the UK to start their new role. However, both the employer and the worker have responsibilities to ensure compliance with immigration laws.

For Employers: They must continue to monitor their sponsored employees and report any changes in employment status to the UKVI. Employers are required to also keep detailed records of their sponsored employees, including proof of their right to work in the UK.

For Employees: They must ensure they comply with the conditions of their visa, including maintaining the role for which they were sponsored and notifying the UKVI of any changes in their circumstances.

Failure to comply with these necessary obligations can lead to penalties, including the UKVI revoking the sponsorship licence for employers and cancelling the visa for employees.

Wrap-Up: How Long Does it Take to Get A Sponsorship Visa in the UK?

The process of obtaining a sponsorship visa in the UK is very detailed but if planned correctly can be manageable. Employees should be aware of the stages involved, and the same goes for employers.

The stage includes the total duration required to obtain a sponsorship license, and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. You also need to consider the time it takes to process the visa application.

The standard time ranges from 12 to 14 weeks. However, you can speed up the process by using priority services where necessary. Understanding the factors that influence each step is important for ensuring a smooth and timely application process. This makes it possible for skilled individuals to join the UK workforce without delays.