Priority CoS request — sharing our format in case it helps someone else

Posting this to pay it forward because we got our priority CoS requests wrong a few times and were effectively ignored. Once we got the filename, capitalisation, punctuation, subject line, email body and timing consistent, we sent the request at 6:58, 6:59 and 7:00 and received an acknowledgement within a day.

This is our experience, not an official Home Office template or guarantee, but hopefully the format helps someone else.

1. PDF filename

We used:

Sponsor_Name_In-Year_CoS_Priority_Request.pdf

2. Email subject

We used:

Sponsor Name (Sponsor Licence Number) : In-year Certificate of Sponsorship allocation

3. Email body

Dear Priority Service Team,

Please find attached the completed Worker and Temporary Worker priority request form for the following request:

Sponsor Name: [Sponsor legal name]

Sponsor Licence Number: [Sponsor licence number]

Request Type: Inyear Certificate of Sponsorship allocation

SMS Request Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Justification for Priority:

We are requesting an increase of [NUMBER] Undefined Certificate(s) of Sponsorship to sponsor an existing employee currently working with us as a [JOB TITLE].

[Brief explanation of the employee's relevant qualifications, education, experience and current role.]

The employee is currently in the UK on a [CURRENT VISA ROUTE] which expires on [DATE] and will be switching to the Skilled Worker route under the [RELEVANT PROVISION, IF APPLICABLE]. The proposed sponsorship duration is [DURATION].

The role falls under SOC: [SOC CODE AND DESCRIPTION] and meets the required skill level. The employee will be paid £[SALARY] per annum based on a [HOURS]-hour working week, which meets the applicable Skilled Worker salary requirement [and New Entrant rate, if applicable].

We are a [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS]. We require highly skilled individuals with [RELEVANT SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS] to support [RELEVANT BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS].

This request is to ensure business continuity through [SPECIFIC BUSINESS REASON] and to retain [the relevant employee / a highly valued member of staff].

We confirm that this request is for Undefined CoS only and that all details provided match our sponsor licence records.

Kind Regards

[NAME]

[JOB TITLE]

[COMPANY]

4. Timing

Our successful attempt was sent thrice, at:

6:58 → 6:59 → 7:00

We then received an acknowledgement within a few hours.

I can't say that the timing itself guarantees anything, but it was part of what we did on the attempt that finally received an acknowledgement.