Delays in Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) Are Putting Migrant Workers at Risk
At Tulia Group CIC, we are increasingly seeing the impact of serious and unpredictable delays in Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) across the UK. These delays are affecting both employers and migrant workers and are creating unnecessary risk, anxiety, and vulnerability.
What Is Happening?
Many employers are experiencing longer-than-expected waiting times for CoS allocations. Even where applications are submitted early or priority services are paid for, processing times are becoming unreliable.
In some cases, CoS approvals are only being issued days, or even one day, before a worker’s visa expires.
What the Rules Say vs the Reality
Home Office guidance states:
Standard CoS: up to 18 weeks
Priority CoS: approximately 5 working days
In practice, even priority CoS requests are being delayed, leaving employers and workers with very little margin for error.
Why This Matters
These delays are leading to:
Job insecurity for sponsored workers
Risk of overstaying through no fault of the individual
Severe stress and anxiety for families
Increased exposure to exploitation
When people are under pressure and fearful of losing status, they become more vulnerable.
Important Warning to Migrant Workers
We are aware of individuals demanding £14,000–£15,000, claiming they can “secure” a Certificate of Sponsorship.
This is a scam.
No individual can sell, guarantee, or fast-track a CoS allocation.
Certificates of Sponsorship can only be issued by licensed sponsors via the Home Office system.
If someone is asking for money to “guarantee” a CoS, please walk away.
What Employers Are Being Advised
Immigration specialists are advising employers to:
Apply for CoS allocations months in advance
Expect follow-up questions and delays
Plan for disruption—even when using priority services
These delays are systemic, not the result of employer error. However, proactive planning is now essential.
What Tulia Advises Migrant Workers to Do
Do not pay anyone who claims they can “secure” a CoS
Speak directly with your employer or a regulated immigration adviser
Seek advice early if your visa expiry date is approaching
Keep clear records of applications, timelines, and correspondence
Our Position at Tulia
This is not about blame.
It is about protecting people navigating a system under strain.
At Tulia Group CIC, we remain committed to:
Providing clear, honest immigration advice
Challenging exploitation and misinformation
Supporting employers and workers to navigate the system lawfully and safely
Information protects. Advocacy matters. Community is essential.
Please share this post to help protect others.
Where to Get Help
If you are unsure how these changes might affect you, seek immigration advice as early as possible.
Please use the following link to book a consultation with us CLICK HERE
At Tulia, we believe that everyone deserves to have a safe and welcoming place to call home. We are committed to helping migrants settle well in the UK and to achieve their full potential. Don’t forget to share this article!
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