⏰ 1. Home Office Timing Requirement
For Skilled Worker visa renewals, the Home Office states:
Visa applications must be submitted within 2 months (60 days) before the current visa expires.
This means:
Sponsorship offers should not be submitted too early
Submitting outside the 2-month window may cause delays or complications
Correct timing ensures the candidate can apply smoothly
📤 2. When Employers Should Send Sponsorship Offers
For Skilled Worker Renewals:
Submit the sponsorship offer once the worker is within 2 months of their visa expiry date.
This allows:
Sufficient time for us to process the offer
Time to assign the CoS
Time for the worker to submit their application before expiry
For Candidates Approaching ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Workers may be nearing ILR eligibility. Before sending an offer:
Check if the candidate plans to apply for ILR instead of extending their Skilled Worker visa
If they still need a Skilled Worker extension, follow the same 2-month rule
Ensure sponsorship timing does not interrupt their qualifying ILR residency period
🚩 Please note that our immigration team isn’t able to advise on or support any ILR-related queries or applications.
📝 3. When We Will Process the Application
We only begin processing once the sponsorship offer is submitted on the portal. So:
Any delay in submitting the offer = a delay in the entire visa process
Please submit the offer as soon as the candidate is within the eligible timeframe
📅 4. Employer Best-Practice Checklist
✔️ Track visa expiry dates early
Set reminders at least 3–4 months in advance.
✔️ Confirm ILR plans with the candidate
Issuing an unnecessary Skilled Worker extension may:
Add costs
Impact their ILR timeline
✔️ Double-check job and salary details
Verify:
Salary meets Skilled Worker thresholds
SOC code is correct
Job description, hours, and locations are accurate
✔️ Ensure the role still qualifies under Skilled Worker rules
Requirements can change, so always check the latest guidance. Please see this support article for the updated July 2025 guidance on this.
💬 Need help or an update? - Open the Support tab at the bottom right of your screen to contact our team directly.