"You have a shortlist of international candidates ready to hire. Then you log into the Sponsor Management System and realise your CoS allocation has hit zero."
This can stall recruitment and derail academic timelines. Requesting an increase from the Home Office is a standard process. Here is exactly how to secure your additional allocation without the costly delays.
Understanding CoS and CAS Allocations
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital record issued via the SMS that allows a licensed UK employer to sponsor a non-UK worker for a Skilled Worker or other sponsored visa. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the equivalent record for licensed education providers sponsoring international students under the Student visa route. Both are allocated annually by the Home Office.
How the Home Office Assigns Initial CoS and CAS Allocations
- When you first obtain your licence, the Home Office grants an initial allocation based on the projections in your application.If your hiring or enrollment plans grow, you will almost certainly need to request an increase
- UKVI offers an automatic renewal system for eligible sponsors at the end of their CoS/CAS year. Check your SMS account up to three months before your allocation year ends to confirm if auto-renewal applies to you.
- If your account does not qualify for auto-renewal, or if your usage was zero but you plan to hire in the coming year, you must manually submit a renewal request through the SMS.
Who Needs to Request Additional CoS or CAS?
This is not just a problem for large organisations. Allocation shortfalls affect sponsors of all sizes. Common situations include:
- Businesses scaling international hiring beyond their initial projections
- Education providers with higher-than-expected international student enrolments
- Organisations entering new markets or expanding headcount rapidly
- Companies that underestimated hiring needs at the licence application stage
If any of these apply to you, submit your allocation request early. Waiting until you have zero CoS or CAS remaining is the single most avoidable mistake in this process.
How to Request Additional CoS: Step-by-Step Guide for Employers
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1
Review Current CoS Allocation
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Log into the Sponsor Management System (SMS) using Level 1 User credentials and check your current Certificate of Sponsorship allocation balance.
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2
Request Additional Undefined CoS
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Submit an allocation increase request through the SMS, specifying the number of additional Undefined CoS required and providing a clear business justification.
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3
Apply for Additional Defined CoS
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For overseas hires, submit a separate Defined CoS request including the role, occupation code, salary details, and evidence supporting the recruitment need.
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4
Prepare Supporting Evidence
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Compile documents demonstrating genuine hiring requirements, such as recruitment forecasts, growth plans, client contracts, payroll records, and role details.
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5
Await Decision or Use Priority Service
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Standard requests are typically processed within 18–26 working days. Eligible Undefined CoS requests may be expedited through the Home Office priority service for an additional fee. Slots are capped daily and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. To use the service, submit your SMS request first, then email [email protected].
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CoS Request Processing Times at a Glance
| Request Type |
Standard Timeline |
Priority Timeline |
Priority Fee |
| Additional Undefined CoS |
18–26 working days |
~5 working days |
£350 |
| Additional Defined CoS |
Variable (can be longer) |
Not eligible |
N/A |
How to Request Additional CAS: Step-by-Step Guide for Education Providers
The process for student sponsors follows the same SMS framework, but the evidence requirements and timing considerations differ significantly from employer CoS requests.
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1
Access the Sponsor Management System
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Log into the Sponsor Management System (SMS) as a Level 1 User and navigate to the CAS allocation increase request section under the Student route.
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2
Submit the CAS Increase Request
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Request the required number of additional CAS and provide a clear justification based on enrolment demand, compliance performance, and recruitment plans.
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3
Prepare Supporting Evidence
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Compile enrolment statistics, projected intake figures, market expansion plans, and partnership evidence to support the allocation increase request.
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4
Submit Well Ahead of Intake Periods
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Plan and submit requests several months before major enrolment cycles to allow sufficient time for UKVI review and CAS issuance.
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Common Mistakes That Delay Additional CoS or CAS Requests
Most delays are self-inflicted. Here is what to avoid them
| Common Pitfall |
Why It Matters |
How to Avoid It |
| Submitting Too Late |
Waiting until recruitment is already stalled means any processing delay
can directly affect hiring timelines, onboarding schedules, and business operations.
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Forecast CoS demand in advance and build at least a six-week buffer into workforce planning.
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| Weak Business Justification |
Generic statements about company growth rarely provide sufficient evidence
to support an allocation increase request.
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Include specific hiring plans, vacancy numbers, start dates, and evidence
of genuine recruitment needs.
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| SMS Submission Errors |
Incorrect routes, CoS types, or incomplete information can invalidate
the request or trigger additional compliance checks.
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Review all SMS entries carefully and verify that the selected route and
CoS type are correct before submission.
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| Compliance Issues on Your Licence |
Sponsors with compliance concerns may face increased scrutiny,
delayed decisions, or requests being placed on hold.
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Resolve outstanding compliance issues, maintain accurate records,
and ensure sponsor duties are fully met before requesting additional allocation.
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How an Immigration Specialist Can Help With Additional CoS or CAS Requests
| Consideration |
Key Insight |
| When DIY Allocation Management Becomes a Risk |
Sponsors with low hiring volumes and experienced Level 1 Users can often
manage allocation requests internally. As recruitment scales, however,
errors become more costly and a refused allocation request can disrupt
the entire international hiring pipeline.
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| How an OISC-Regulated Adviser Can Help |
Experienced advisers can prepare evidence-based justification letters,
manage priority requests, and respond quickly to UKVI enquiries.
Well-prepared applications are generally less likely to encounter delays
or evidential challenges.
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| The Commercial Case for Outsourcing |
The cost of a failed allocation request may include lost priority fees,
delayed onboarding, recruitment disruption, and potential candidate loss.
Professional allocation management can help reduce these risks and create
more predictable recruitment outcomes.
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| What to Look for in a Compliance Partner |
Look for OISC-regulated advisers or SRA-authorised solicitors with
hands-on SMS experience, sponsor licence compliance expertise, and a
proactive approach to CoS and CAS allocation planning.
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CoS and CAS Allocation Management Tips From Jobbatical's Immigration Specialists
After supporting thousands of UK sponsor licence holders, our immigration team recommends the following:
| Best Practice |
Recommended Action |
| Forecast Annually |
Map expected international hiring or student enrolment needs at the start
of each allocation year. Build a 15–20% buffer above forecast demand to
accommodate unexpected recruitment needs.
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| Review Allocations Before Peak Periods |
Check remaining CoS or CAS allocations at least eight weeks before major
recruitment or enrolment periods. Request additional allocation before
balances become critically low.
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| Keep Level 1 SMS Users Trained |
Provide regular training on SMS processes, allocation requests, and
supporting evidence requirements. Well-trained users help prevent errors,
delays, and compliance issues.
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| Work with an Experienced Adviser |
Organisations managing multiple immigration routes or large international
recruitment programmes should consider specialist support to strengthen
compliance, allocation planning, and sponsor licence management.
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🚀 Ready to review your current CoS or CAS allocation position?
Let our UK immigration specialists assess your allocation strategy before the next hiring or enrolment window.
Conclusion
Running out of CoS or CAS mid-cycle is a solvable problem. But it is one that demands lead time. The sponsors who manage allocations well are not the ones who react fastest when they hit zero. They are the ones who never get there. Build your request process into your hiring calendar, keep your SMS records clean, and get professional support if the volume or complexity warrants it.
For further guidance on UK sponsor licence compliance, see our guides on the UK Certificate of Sponsorship and the Health and Care Worker Visa CoS process.
Disclaimer: Immigration rules change quite frequently; please verify with official sources or contact us for the latest info before making any decisions.
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