Unrestricted CoS
A business must have an annual allocation of one or more unrestricted CoS in order to issue any. Generally, these may only be issued to:
- Any migrants already working for your business under Tier 2 (General) who will need to extend their stay in the UK to continue working for you;
- High earners (salary is £155,300 or more);
- Migrants who are already lawfully in the UK and changing employer or who have successfully applied to switch into the Tier 2 (General) category.
Restricted CoS
A restricted CoS, under Tier 2 General, is appropriate to issue to a migrant worker where the resident labour market test has been undertaken and no suitable settled workers have applied for the role.
On the 11th day of each month, UKVI decides how many applications made on or before the 5th of the same month can be approved.
