Fraud Alerts & Enforcement
Official sources · VerifiedAction Fraud warns of rise in fake UK job sponsorship scams
Action Fraud UK reports continued reports of individuals being contacted via social media and messaging apps with fake job offers requiring upfront payment for a Certificate of Sponsorship. No legitimate UK employer charges a candidate for sponsorship.
Action Fraud UK
1 min read
UKVI revokes hundreds of care sector sponsor licences
UK Visas and Immigration has carried out enforcement action across the care sector, revoking or suspending sponsor licences where employers failed to meet compliance standards. Workers with CoS from revoked sponsors face automatic visa refusal.
UKVI enforcement reports
2 min read
The "phantom company" tactic: how fraudsters exploit Companies House
Scammers register companies on Companies House to create an appearance of legitimacy. They then issue forged CoS documents using the real company name. The company itself has no knowledge and no sponsor licence.
Documented fraud pattern • Action Fraud UK
3 min read
Policy Updates & Guides
What to know · How to protect yourselfUK Skilled Worker salary threshold raised to £38,700
The Home Office increased the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024. Some roles have lower thresholds based on SOC codes. Your CoS must reflect the correct figure for your occupation.
GOV.UK • Home Office policy change
2 min read
How to verify your employer is a licensed UK sponsor
The UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors is public and free to search. This guide covers how to check if your employer holds a valid sponsor licence, what A-rated and B-rated mean, and how to cross-reference with Companies House.
SponsorShield Verification Guide
4 min read
Understanding your CoS reference number
A genuine Certificate of Sponsorship has an 11-character reference number issued through the UKVI SMS system. Learn what the format looks like, where to find it, and how to verify it before submitting your visa application.
SponsorShield Verification Guide
3 min read
Stay informed. Stay protected.
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