Thousands of job seekers have lost money to fake UK job offers and Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). The good news is that checking an employer takes about two minutes.
Step 1: Search the Register of Licensed Sponsors
The Home Office publishes the Register of Licensed Sponsors: workers on GOV.UK. It is updated regularly and lists every organisation that can sponsor workers, with:
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- the organisation name,
- the town or city,
- the route, such as “Skilled Worker”,
- the rating: “A rating” means fully licensed.
Open the file and search for the exact company name. If it is not there, the company cannot legally sponsor you.
Step 2: Match the details
Scammers often use names similar to real companies. Check that the town matches, and contact the company using the phone number or email on its own official website, not the one in the WhatsApp message.
Step 3: Know the money rules
- A CoS costs the worker nothing. It is illegal for a sponsor to pass the CoS fee or the Immigration Skills Charge on to you.
- You normally pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge directly to UK Visas and Immigration on GOV.UK, never to an agent’s bank account.
Red flags
- “Pay for your CoS and we’ll find you a job later.”
- No interview, or a 5-minute chat for a skilled job.
- Care worker visas offered to people overseas. That route closed on 22 July 2025.
- Salaries far below the UK thresholds.
2026 rules in brief: since 22 July 2025, most Skilled Worker jobs must be at graduate level (RQF 6) and pay at least £41,700 a year or the occupation’s “going rate”, whichever is higher. Some roles have lower rates, such as new entrants, Health and Care roles, and jobs on the Temporary Shortage List, which runs until at least the end of 2026. Always check the current figures on GOV.UK before you apply.
If you suspect fraud, you can report it to Action Fraud and the Home Office.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the sponsor register updated?
Regularly, usually every working day. Always check the latest version.
A company is on the register. Is the job definitely real?
Not definitely. Scammers impersonate real companies, so contact the employer directly through its official website.
Who pays the Immigration Skills Charge?
The employer. It is illegal to pass it on to the worker.
Information checked in October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official government website before applying or paying any fees.
