UK Immigration Glossary
Key terms explained in plain English.
- A Rating / B Rating
- Sponsor licence ratings. A means the employer meets all Home Office requirements. B means there are compliance concerns and the employer is on an action plan.
- ASHE
- Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings — an ONS survey that provides UK salary data by occupation. Used to set Going Rates.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- An electronic reference number issued by a licensed employer. You need a CoS to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. It's not a physical document.
- Global Business Mobility (GBM)
- A visa route for overseas businesses transferring employees to a UK branch. Includes Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, and other sub-routes.
- Going Rate
- The minimum annual salary required for a specific occupation on a Skilled Worker visa. Set by the Home Office based on SOC code. Check Going Rates →
- Home Office
- The UK government department responsible for immigration, security, and law enforcement. They manage the sponsor licence system and visa applications.
- ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
- Permanent residence status in the UK. Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous lawful residence.
- Immigration Salary List
- Formerly the Shortage Occupation List. Occupations on this list have reduced salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas. View current list →
- Register of Licensed Sponsors
- An official list maintained by the Home Office containing every employer with a valid sponsor licence. Published as a CSV file and updated weekly. Search the register →
- Scale-Up Visa
- A visa for workers recruited by a qualifying scale-up company. After 6 months, the worker gains flexibility to change employers without further sponsorship.
- Skilled Worker Visa
- The main work visa for foreign nationals coming to the UK. Requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor at or above the Going Rate. Replaced Tier 2 (General) in 2020.
- SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification)
- A 4-digit code used to classify occupations in the UK. The current version is SOC 2020. Each Skilled Worker visa is tied to a specific SOC code. Browse all SOC codes →
- Sponsor Licence
- Permission granted by the Home Office for an employer to hire foreign workers on sponsored visas. Employers must apply, pay fees, and demonstrate compliance to obtain and maintain a licence.
- Temporary Worker Visa
- A category of visas for short-term work in the UK, including Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Religious Worker, Seasonal Worker, and others.
- UKVI
- UK Visas and Immigration — the division of the Home Office that processes visa applications and manages the immigration system.