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Guidance

PBS sponsor licensing – certificates: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on applications for defined certificates of sponsorship (DCoS) under the points-based system (PBS).

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
9 October 2015
Last updated:
16 April 2025
Show all updates

  1. This guidance has been changed to provide information on how to process SpAW submissions created on the new Sponsor UK platform and reflects changes to the Immigration Rules.

  2. This guidance has been changed to reflect Immigration Rules changes to salary minima and Standard Occupation Classification codes in force from April 2024.

  3. This guidance has been changed to reflect: Immigration Rules changes in force from March 2023 and March 2024, an added line regarding checking of salary, additional guidance about genuine vacancies. An accessible version of the guidance has been added.

  4. Updated guidance to reflect changes from 1 December 2020.

  5. Updated guidance document published.

  6. First published.

Documents

PBS sponsor licensing – certificates: caseworker guidance (accessible)

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PBS sponsor licensing: defined certificates of sponsorship

PDF, 324 KB, 26 pages

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance on how staff decide applications for DCoS under the PBS.

It contains details on:

  • how the sponsor applies for DCoS
  • the mandatory and optional checks you need to make
  • when it is appropriate to consider applying for urgent treatment
  • how to grant DCoS

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