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Certificates of Sponsorship


What are Certificates of Sponsorships and why are they required?

The University of Dundee is an A-rated sponsor licence holder under the UK Points Based Immigration System for the Tier 2 category which covers skilled workers with a job offer.

A non EEA national* will need to pass a points-based assessment before being given permission to enter or remain in the UK and, if applying under Tier 2, will require a sponsor to do so.

The University will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to an applicant with a job offer when satisfied that there has been strict adherence to the sponsorship duties detailed by the Home Office UK Border Agency.

The appointee is then required to apply under the Sponsored Skilled Workers category (Tier 2 General) of the UK Points Based System to apply for 1) permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'Entry Clearance') or, 2) if they are already in the UK with permission to stay (known as 'Leave to Remain') in an immigration category that allows them to switch into the sponsored skilled worker category or, 3) if they are already in the UK as a sponsored skilled worker and want to extend their permission to stay within their existing category.

Further information on these requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website and its link to the Visa Services website, if the appointee is applying from outside the United Kingdom.

It is the appointee's responsibility to obtain this Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain as applicable.

Further advice and guidance on the issue of Certificates of Sponsorship can be sought from your College/SASS HR Officer.

*The European Economic Area Agreement gives nationals of other countries such as Iceland the same rights to enter, live in and work in the UK as EU citizens. If you are unsure about an appointee's status please contact your College/SASS HR Officer.

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Where can I find a list of EEA countries?

An up-to-date list of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) together with details of other citizens who do not need permission to work in the United Kingdom can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

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What are the criteria for issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship?

  1. The individual must be appointed to an advertised post demonstrating that the resident labour market test has been met for the category of post, as identified by the UK Border Agency's Occupation Codes of Practice. The advert for the post must be placed no more than 6 months prior to the date of issue of the Certificate of Sponsorship.
  2. Or the individual should hold their own Fellowship. The salary for the Fellowship must be administered through the University.
  3. The appointee must have a recognised qualification at or above SVQ level 3.
  4. The job must be paid at the minimum salary rate according to the identified Occupation code.

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How is the Certificate of Sponsorship issued?

If the appointee is a non EEA national, then please tick the appropriate box on the New Appointment Authorisation form. HR will then liaise with you, if necessary, to issue the Certificate of Sponsorship on behalf of the University.

The contract of employment will be prepared and issued clearly stipulating that the appointment is dependant upon the University being able to employ the individual without breaching UK immigration or other legislation. Under its sponsorship duties, the University is obliged to vet all new members of staff's identification and immigration status (if applicable) at the start of their employment and systems are in place to meet this requirement.

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What information is required for the Certificate of Sponsorship?

The HR Officer will contact the appointee directly with questions required of them for the Certificate of Sponsorship and will refer to the post file for all other details and as advised by the Recruiting Manager.

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What happens once the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued?

On receipt of the Certificate of Sponsorship number, the HR Officer will email the appointee advising them of the action they must now take. The action required differs depending upon whether the individual is already in the UK or in another country.

Further information on these requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website and its link to the Visa Services website, if the appointee is applying from outside the United Kingdom.

It is the appointee's responsibility to obtain this Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain as applicable.

(There is a tool on the UK Border Agency website which allows individuals to calculate how many points they have to see if they may be eligible to work in the United Kingdom under the Points Based system: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator)

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What about spouses and dependants of Sponsored Skilled Workers (Tier 2 category)?

Under immigration legislation, the spouse of a Tier 2 category worker is permitted to undertake paid employment. They may only be employed while their spouse is residing and working within the UK, and holds a valid visa.

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How long will the individual's application for Leave to Remain/Entry Clearance take?

Information about current timescales is updated regularly and can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

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What happens if the Tier 2 category visa application is refused?

The UK Home Office Border Agency will write to the individual detailing the reasons why their application for further Leave to Remain or Entry Clearance has not been granted. When advised of this, the HR Officer will then liaise with the Recruiting Manager to decide the best way to proceed.

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How do we request an extension to a Certificate of Sponsorship?

HR will contact departments approximately 4 months before the expiry date of the individual's work permit to establish if an extension to the Certificate of Sponsorship to enable the employee to apply to further extend their Leave to Remain will be required.

This usually coincides with the expiry of the individual's fixed term contract. An extension to a Certificate of Sponsorship will only be sought, if the individual's contract is being renewed.

How is a further Certificate of Sponsorship issued?

The procedure is similar to that of the initial issue of a Certificate of Sponsorship. HR will issue the Certificate once satisfied that we have met our sponsor obligations and in doing so will contact the individual to confirm personal details and the Recruiting Manager, to confirm the reasons as to why a further Certificate of Sponsorship is required

On receipt of the Certificate of Sponsorship number, HR will email the employee advising them of the action they must now take.

What about applying for Further Leave to Remain in the UK?

Further information on this requirement can be found on the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/

It remains the individual's responsibility to obtain permission for Further Leave to Remain.

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