TIER 2 (GENERAL) CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP INITIAL APPLICATION FORM
Please complete this form when applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship and return it to the Staff
Immigration Team along with the necessary supporting documents listed at the end of the form.
Signed applications should be sent via email to the Staff Immigration Team at:
lisa.crook@admin.ox.ac.uk / david.richardson@admin.ox.ac.uk
It is important that the information provided on the Certificate of Sponsorship application is
accurate since this information must match the information provided by the applicant on their
visa/leave to remain application.
It is not possible for the Staff Immigration Team to consider incomplete applications. Therefore,
please ensure that you provide all of the required information.
Eligibility
Will the migrant apply for their visa overseas, or for leave to
remain from within the UK?*
* Note that migrants can only apply from within the UK if they hold a valid visa in a category that is eligible to switch
into Tier 2. See http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/permits/status/ for further information.
For migrants applying from overseas only:
Has the migrant held any Tier 2 visas (with any employer)
within the past twelve months?**
** Note that under the Tier 2 ‘Cooling Off Period’ rules migrants applying from overseas who have held a Tier 2 visa
within the past twelve months will not be eligible to return to the UK on another Tier 2 visa for at least twelve months
after either their previous visa expired, or the earliest date from which they can provide evidence that they had left the
UK and have not since returned.
Similarly, migrants applying from within the UK who have held a Tier 2 visa within the past twelve months but switched
out of Tier 2 into a different immigration category (e.g. Tier 1 or Tier 4) will not be eligible to switch back on to a Tier 2
visa for at least twelve months after they switched out of Tier 2.
For migrants applying from within the UK only:
Has the migrant held any Tier 2 visas (with any employer)
within the past six years?***
***Note that the maximum permitted time on a Tier 2 visa is six years. Tier 2 migrants wishing to stay in the UK longer
than six years should apply for settlement, if they are eligible to do so.
Updated January 2016
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English Language requirement
Delays can be encountered when an applicant needs to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to
meet the English Language requirement. Please confirm how the applicant will meet this requirement by
listing the relevant number (1 – 4):
1. National of English speaking country,
2. Has an academic qualification recognised by the Home Office as having been
taught in English and equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or above (the Home
Office’s Points-based calculator should be used to verify that the qualification is recognised),
3. Has passed an with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking & listening
(see the Home Office’s website for the list of approved English language tests), OR
4. Has met the English language requirement when applying for previous leave (visa)
(such as a Tier 1(General), Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), Tier 2 (General) after 6 April 2011, or
Tier 4 where the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) was assigned after 21 April 2011).
Further information on the English Language requirement and the list of English speaking countries whose
nationals automatically meet the requirement can be found on the Home Office website at:
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/knowledge-of-english
Maintenance Requirement
Departments/ colleges should normally certify the maintenance requirement on behalf of the applicant and
their dependants in order that they do not have to submit bank statements with their visa application.
By doing so, the employing department/ college is certifying that they will, if necessary, maintain and
accommodate the applicant (to a minimum value of £945) and their dependants (to a minimum value of
£630 each) for the first month of employment. Please confirm how the applicant will meet the maintenance
requirement by listing the relevant number (1 – 3):
1. Department/ college intends to certify maintenance on behalf of the main applicant
(£945) AND dependants (£630 each);
2. Department/ college intends to certify maintenance on behalf of the main applicant
(£945) but NOT for their dependants;
Bank statements will be submitted by the applicant to evidence that £630 for each
dependant has been held for a consecutive 90 day period ending no more than 31 days
before the visa application is submitted.
3. Department/ college does NOT intend to certify maintenance on behalf of neither the
main applicant NOR their dependants.
Bank statements will be submitted by the applicant to evidence that £945 plus £630 for
each dependant has been held for a consecutive 90 day period ending no more than 31
days before the visa application is submitted.
Updated January 2016
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Passport Information
Please complete the following personal information in full.
appear in the migrant’s passport, where applicable.
Please complete personal details as they
Title (e.g. Dr, Mr, Mrs)
Last name
First name(s) – [incl. middle name(s)]
Other name(s) – [i.e. previous name(s)]
Nationality
City of birth
Country of birth
Date of birth
Gender
Passport number
Passport issue date (DD/MM/YYYY)
Passport expiry date (DD/MM/YYYY)
Passport place of issue (city / country)
Migrant contact details
Country of residence
This must be the country in which the migrant will
apply for their visa/leave to remain.
Full residential address including post code /
zip code / area code
This must be the country in which the migrant will
apply for their visa/leave to remain.
Email address
Tuberculosis (TB) pre-screening
There are a growing number of countries considered to have a high incidence of tuberculosis and if the
applicant is resident in one of these countries and coming to the UK for longer than six months they must
provide a valid medical certificate issued by a Home Office approved medical practitioner confirming that
they have undergone screening for and have been diagnosed as being free from active pulmonary
Updated January 2016
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tuberculosis (TB). The list of countries affected and country-specific guidance in relation to the testing
process is found on the Home Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa
It is important that applicants from countries where TB pre-screening is required are tested as soon as
possible in advance of their application it can be difficult to obtain an appointment. If additional tests and/or
treatment is required this will significantly delay their application to come to the UK.
Will the applicant be required to provide a medical certificate confirming they have been
screened for and are free from active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) (please confirm Yes/No)
Identification numbers
UK National Insurance number (if applicable)
National ID card number (if applicable)
Employment details
Start date (DD/MM/YYYY)
The start date of the COS must be the start date of
the job (except where the migrant is switching from
Tier 4 and has already commenced the employment).
Please give a date in the future. It is not possible to
backdate a COS.
Required COS end date (DD/MM/YYYY) *
Note that for a standard 3 year application a COS
can only be issued for three years, or the length of
the contract, whichever is the shorter period.
For an over 3 year application a COS can be issued
for five years, or the length of the contract, whichever
is the shorter period.
Please indicate the end date accordingly.
* NB the maximum permitted time on a Tier 2 visa is six years for those who entered Tier 2 on or after 6 April 2011.
Tier 2 migrants wishing to stay in the UK longer than six years should apply for settlement, if eligible to do so.
I confirm that this applicant has been made aware that they and their dependants will have
to pay the ‘NHS Surcharge’. As this is a significant addition to the visa fee, based on the
duration of the visa, it may affect the decision of the length of visa applied for.
For further details, see:
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/permits/tier2/overseas/costandpaymentofapplications/
Does the migrant require multiple entry to the UK for work purposes?
Migrants who will be required to travel overseas for work purposes (such as to attend conferences or
conduct fieldwork) will require a multiple entry visa. Those who will only travel overseas for domestic and
leisure purposes do not require a multiple entry visa.
Updated January 2016
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Total weekly hours of work
Full work address in the UK including
postcode
Other regular UK work address(es)
Job title (must match the advertised job title
and contract)
Main duties e.g. conducting experiments,
analysing and publishing results, teaching
(maximum 700 characters)
The Home Office does not view University research
and University teaching as the same profession.
Therefore, if a research post requires the holder to
teach, or a teaching post requires the holder to
conduct research, this must be noted in the job
description on the COS.
Give registration details if there is a legal
requirement for the migrant to be registered
with a professional or other official
organisation in the UK (e.g. GMC
membership).
Is the applicant a ‘New Entrant’ or
‘Experienced Worker’? † (This determines the
relevant salary threshold as specified in the Codes of
Practice)
Gross annual pay
£
Gross annual allowances
£
Description of allowances (e.g. £1000 per
annum travel, £5000 per annum
accommodation)
†
‘New Entrants’ are:
 graduates switching from Tier 1 (Post-study Work), Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) or Tier 4 into Tier 2
under the post-study provisions; and

anyone aged 25 or under on the date of their Tier 2 visa application.
‘Experienced Workers’ are:
 anyone not switching into Tier 2 under the post-study provisions and aged 26 or over on the date of their
Tier 2 visa application;
 where a Tier 2 CoS is to be issued for longer than 3 years 1 month the ‘Experienced Worker’ threshold
must be used even if the applicant would otherwise be considered as a ‘New Entrant’
Updated January 2016
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Switching from Tier 4 into Tier 2
Is the applicant a Tier 4 student visa holder who has successfully
1.
completed and passed a UK recognised bachelor or postgraduate degree OR
2.
completed a minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD,
and who will apply from within the UK? (please confirm Yes/No. If Yes list 1 or 2)
If Yes, please remember to:
 Provide a copy of a qualification certificate, academic transcript or academic reference, on the official
headed paper of the awarding institution that confirms that the migrant has fully completed their
studies (or for PhD students, that they have completed at least one academic year of their studies),
and that their course was/is more than one academic year in length.
 Remind them that they must inform their Tier 4 sponsor that they will be changing immigration status,
i.e. switching to a Tier 2 visa.
Was the applicant sponsored by an overseas Government or international scholarship
agency within the past 12 months? (please confirm Yes/No)
If Yes, they must provide the agency’s unconditional consent in writing, giving permission for
them to remain in the UK.
Is the applicant’s Tier 4 visa sponsored by the University of Oxford? (please confirm Yes/No)
If the applicant is switching from Tier 4 into Tier 2 they are exempt from the Home Office’s Tier 2
advertising requirements so please do not complete the Recruitment section of the form and continue to
the Record-keeping and Reporting Responsibilities section instead.
Other exemption from Tier 2 advertising requirements
Is the applicant any of the following? If yes, please indicate which by listing
the relevant number (1 – 3):
1.
A named researcher on a grant taking up a supernumerary position.
2.
A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa holder.
3.
Filling a post with an annual salary of more than £155,300 per annum.
If you have answered yes to any of the above other exemptions from the Home Office’s Tier 2 advertising
requirements please do not complete the Recruitment section of the form and continue to the Recordkeeping and Reporting Responsibilities section instead.
Updated January 2016
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Recruitment
Adverts used to support a Tier 2 COS application for University research and/or teaching posts, and
any post with an annual salary of £72,500 or more, must be advertised in TWO locations which both
meet the Home Office's criteria for suitable media, as a minimum. Please note that the two locations do
not need to be two different types of media and can be, for example, two different websites. Suitable
locations include the University’s main vacancies web page and the Jobs.ac.uk website. There is no
requirement to advertise these posts on JobCentre Plus.
All adverts used to support a Tier 2 COS application for other posts (e.g. administrative and IT posts) must
have been placed on both (i) JobCentre Plus and (ii) either the University’s main vacancies web page, or
one other place which meets the Home Office 's criteria for suitable media, as a minimum.
Further information on the advertising requirements can be found at
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/permits/tier2/overseas/advertisingrequirements/ .
Please give details of the recruitment exercise for this post below.
Advertisement 1:
Place of advertisement
Advertisement reference number
Date advert placed
Closing date
Advert contains (please tick to confirm):
job title
If the advert does not contain all of the required
criteria, a COS cannot be requested. Please contact
the Staff Immigration Team for further advice.
main duties and responsibilities of the job
location(s)of the job
salary range and terms on offer
qualification(s) required
skills and experience needed
closing date for applications
Advertisement 2:
Place of advertisement
Advertisement reference number
Date advert placed
Closing date
Advert contains (please tick to confirm):
job title
If the advert does not contain all of the required
criteria, a COS cannot be requested. Please contact
the Staff Immigration Team for further advice.
main duties and responsibilities of the job
Updated January 2016
location(s)of the job
7
salary range and terms on offer
qualification(s) required
skills and experience needed
closing date for applications
THIS QUESTION DOES NOT NEED TO BE ANSWERED FOR UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
AND/OR TEACHING POSTS, OR ANY POST WITH AN ANNUAL SALARY OF £72,500 OR
MORE.
Is the department/college satisfied that their recruitment search did not identify any
suitable resident workers for the post?
Is the department/college satisfied that they hold the following documentation on file?

All applications shortlisted for final interview in the medium in which they were
received (e.g. emails, application form, cv)

The names and total number of applicants short-listed for final interview

Notes from the final interviews conducted

Documented reasons why each rejected EEA national who attended a final interview
was not employed. Reasons must directly relate to the essential selection criteria for
the post.
Record-keeping and Reporting Responsibilities
Departments and colleges employing migrants on Tier 2 (General) visas have a number of record-keeping
and reporting responsibilities. The consequences of non-compliance with these duties, including reporting
details late, are potentially severe for the University.
Departments and colleges can view their record-keeping and reporting responsibilities at
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/permits/employresp/
Our Tier 2 & Tier 5 Changes & Leavers Form should be used to report any changes in circumstances for
Tier 2 and Tier 5 visa holders to the Staff Immigration Team within 5 working days after the changes take
effect in order that they can be reported to the Home Office as required.
Departments and colleges can view the consequences on non-compliance at
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/permits/noncompliance/
Has the department/ college has read and understood their record-keeping responsibilities
for Tier 2 migrants?
Has the department/ college read and understood their reporting responsibilities for Tier 2
migrants?
Has the department/ college read and understood the consequences of non-compliance
with their record-keeping and reporting responsibilities for Tier 2 migrants?
Updated January 2016
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Supporting documents – with naming convention (SURNAME,Initials-[document]-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
Please tick to confirm that the following documents are enclosed with this application:
 Copy of photo and personal information page(s) of a valid passport. (SURNAME,Initials-passport-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 For applicants not employed on a CMS contract (i.e. employed by Colleges or subsidiaries) - copy of
signed and dated Data Processing Consent form where applicant consents to the processing and use of
their personal data by the University. (SURNAME,Initials-declaration-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Copies of any qualifications the migrant holds to confirm that they meet the skill level specified in the
advert or job description (e.g. Masters, PhD). (SURNAME,Initials-qualification-dd-mm-yy.pdf) OR Copies of job
references or other evidence of their experience if the chosen candidate has 'equivalent experience'
instead of the requested qualification, and this was listed in Job Description/ Further Particulars as
acceptable. (SURNAME,Initials-references-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Copy of any registration or professional accreditation document(s) that a migrant requires in order to do
the job (e.g. GMC membership). (SURNAME,Initials-accreditation dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 For overseas applicants - copies of any current and previous Tier 2 visas held within the past twelve
months. (SURNAME,Initials-visa-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 For in-country applicants - copies of any current UK visas (under any category) and any previous Tier 2
visas held within the past six years. (SURNAME,Initials-visa-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Where advertisements were placed online [two acceptable locations for research / teaching roles,
JobCentre Plus (Universal JobMatch) and one other acceptable location for all other roles] – a printout from
the website of the advertisements placed showing the date of the first day that the advertisements
appeared/ the date the advertisements were printed, the name of the website and URL, the contents of the
advertisements and the closing date. (SURNAME,Initials-adverts-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Where advertisements were placed in a newspaper or journal advertisements – the original
advertisement as it appeared in the publication showing the title and date of the publication, the name of
the sponsor organisation and the closing date for applications should be kept and a copy provided.
(SURNAME,Initials-paperad-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Further particulars/ Job Description for the post. (SURNAME,Initials-jd-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 All applications shortlisted for final interview in the medium in which they were received (e.g. emails,
application form, cv). NB - where only one individual was shortlisted, applications for all candidates
must be provided (SURNAME,Initials-applications-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Completed Recruitment Summary Form (SURNAME,Initials-recsummary-dd-mm-yy.pdf) – NB not required for
named researchers on a grant.
 For named researchers on a grant – a copy of the grant application and a signed copy of the original
document from the funding body specifically naming the applicant as a researcher which confirms the start
date and starting salary. Where the grant covers other funding in addition to the migrant’s salary full
breakdown of the funding should be provided clearly showing the salary figures. (SURNAME,Initials-grant-ddmm-yy.pdf)
 For migrants switching from a Tier 4 student visa - a copy of a qualification certificate, academic
transcript or academic reference, on the official headed paper of the awarding institution that confirms that
the migrant has fully completed their studies (or for PhD students, that they have completed at least one
academic year of their studies), and that their course was/is more than one academic year in length. The
academic reference must show the migrant’s name, the course title/award and the duration of the course.
(SURNAME,Initials-academicref-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 For migrants switching from a Tier 4 student visa who have been sponsored by an overseas
Government or international scholarship agency within the past 12 months - the agency’s unconditional
consent in writing, giving permission for the migrant to remain in the UK. The evidence must be original,
Updated January 2016
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issued by an authorised official of the organisation on their official letter-headed paper or stationery.
(SURNAME,Initials-consent-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
 Evidence of the value of allowances where not stated in the contract (e.g. independent property
valuation). (SURNAME,Initials-valuation-dd-mm-yy.pdf)
Payment and Authorisation
The cost of each Certificate of Sponsorship is £199. Please give the full general ledger cost code that you
wish this fee and any in-country leave to remain application fee to be cross-charged to. We cannot crosscharge to project codes.
Cost codes should be in the format cost centre/natural account/ activity/ source of funds / organisation (e.g.
AX0000/85210/00/00000/10).
Cost code to charge application fee to:
8
55 2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
We are unable to cross-charge application fees to colleges. Therefore, Colleges should attach a cheque
made payable to the ‘University of Oxford’.
Please complete below to confirm that you are satisfied that the migrant named on this form meets the
necessary points requirements for a Tier 2 (General) Certificate of Sponsorship and that the department
has read and understood its reporting and record-keeping responsibilities.
By completing this declaration and submitting this form via email you, or the named individual, are
confirming that the information and supporting documents provided are, to the best of your knowledge,
complete, true and correct.
Print name
Position
Date
Department
Telephone
Email
Should you have any queries regarding Certificates of Sponsorship requirements, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
Thank you
Staff Immigration Team
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/permits/
Lisa Crook, 01865 289919, lisa.crook@admin.ox.ac.uk
Medical Sciences / Social Sciences / Colleges Q – W
David Richardson, 01865 289904, david.richardson@admin.ox.ac.uk
Humanities / MPLS / Colleges A–P
Updated January 2016
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