Knowledge Base · Scam Prevention
UK Sponsorship Scam Guide
UK sponsorship scams typically follow a pattern: a fraudster offers a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker job with sponsorship, requests upfront payment described as a visa fee or CoS deposit, then provides a forged Certificate of Sponsorship referencing a real licensed employer's name. Victims often lose £5,000–£25,000 before discovering the document is fake. Never pay for a CoS, and verify any document independently before sending money.
How the scam typically unfolds
- A job offer arrives via social media, a messaging app, or an unsolicited recruitment agency, often promising fast-track UK sponsorship.
- The "employer" or recruiter requests an upfront fee — described as a visa processing charge, CoS deposit, or recruitment cost.
- A document resembling a Certificate of Sponsorship is provided, frequently using the name of a real, UKVI-licensed company to appear credible.
- Further payment requests follow — accommodation deposits, "insurance", or additional processing fees — before the victim realises the offer was never genuine.
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Start a free checkWhy this is illegal under UK sponsorship rules
UKVI rules prohibit licensed sponsors from passing the cost of the Certificate of Sponsorship and Immigration Skills Charge to the sponsored worker. An employer who does this — genuine or not — is breaching the conditions of their licence. This means any request for payment tied to a CoS is a red flag, even if the company genuinely holds a sponsor licence.
Protecting yourself before you commit
Before sending money, personal documents, or accepting a job offer involving sponsorship: confirm the employer on the UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors, cross-check the company on Companies House for registration history and filing activity, and independently verify any CoS document you receive.
See our fake CoS checker guide for the specific document-level warning signs, and our sponsor licence guide for how to verify an employer.
If you believe you are a victim
Stop all payments immediately. Report the fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk — this is the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, run by the City of London Police. See our common scam patterns page for more on how this fraud typically presents, and consult an OISC-registered immigration adviser before taking any further immigration action.
SponsorShield is an independent verification support service. We are not OISC-regulated and do not provide immigration or legal advice. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to UKVI, GOV.UK, the Home Office, or any UK government body. This guide is general information only — always consult an OISC-registered immigration adviser before making immigration decisions. Never pay anyone for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-19. Data sources: UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors (gov.uk), Companies House public register, published Home Office salary thresholds. This page is informational only and does not reflect real-time UKVI data — always cross-check current status on gov.uk before relying on it.
Published by SponsorShield. Reviewed for verification accuracy against current UKVI and Companies House data. Not immigration or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do victims typically lose to sponsorship scams?+
UK fraud reports document losses ranging from £5,000 to £25,000 or more per victim, usually paid in instalments framed as "visa fees", "processing costs", or "CoS deposits". Scammers often request payment via bank transfer or money service to make it difficult to trace or recover.
Who do sponsorship scammers usually target?+
Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa applicants overseas, particularly in roles with high UK demand (care work, IT, healthcare, hospitality), where the promise of fast sponsorship and relocation is especially attractive.
Is it illegal to charge a worker for a Certificate of Sponsorship?+
Yes. Under UK sponsorship rules, passing the cost of the Immigration Skills Charge and CoS to the sponsored worker is a prohibited practice that can result in the employer losing its sponsor licence. A genuine licensed employer will not ask you to cover these costs.
What should I do if I have already paid?+
Stop all further payments immediately. Gather all communications, payment receipts, and the CoS document. Report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and contact your bank to ask about a chargeback or fraud claim. Consult an OISC-registered immigration adviser before taking any visa-related action.
How can I check a job offer is genuine before engaging further?+
Verify the employer on the UKVI Register of Licensed Sponsors, cross-check the company on Companies House, and run any CoS document you receive through an independent check like SponsorShield before sending any money or personal documents.
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