How to Spot Fake Visa Sponsorship Scams

Do not pay for a job offer or CoS

The single most important warning is this: do not pay anyone for a job offer or Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Sponsors must pay their own sponsor-licence costs, CoS assignment fee and any Immigration Skills Charge due; sponsor guidance prevents those costs being passed to the sponsored worker.

Applicants can still have legitimate costs of their own, such as visa application fees, an approved English test, tuberculosis testing where required, document services or regulated professional advice. Verify who the payment is legally owed to, use the official payment channel and never transfer money to “release” a job or CoS.

For Skilled Worker sponsorship, verify the employing entity and recorded route in the official GOV.UK register. A licensed organisation's name can still be used by an impersonator.

Common Red Flags of a Sponsorship Scam

• Payment for a job or CoS: You are asked to pay an employer, recruiter or intermediary to secure the job, obtain a CoS or cover sponsor-side licence, assignment or Immigration Skills Charge costs.
• Guaranteed job offers without interviews: You receive a high-paying UK job offer with no formal interview process (video call, skills assessment, or similar). Legitimate employers conduct proper, rigorous hiring processes.
• Agents selling guaranteed sponsorship: Do not assume an intermediary can secure a job or CoS. Verify the actual employer independently and establish what any payment is for. A promise of guaranteed sponsorship is a warning sign, not evidence of a genuine vacancy.
• The company is not on the official register: If the company offering you sponsorship does not appear on the GOV.UK Register of Licensed Sponsors, first check the exact employing name and latest source date. Do not proceed on an unverified promise; ask the employer to explain any mismatch.
• Generic or unofficial email addresses: A misspelled domain or unexpected address is a reason to verify the sender independently. A corporate domain does not prove authenticity, and a free email address alone does not prove fraud.
• Pressure to act urgently: Scammers often create artificial urgency, claiming the "visa slot" will be taken or the offer expires in 24 hours. Legitimate sponsorship involves proper HR and legal processes that take time.
• Guaranteed visa approval: No private individual, agency, or lawyer can guarantee that the Home Office will grant a visa. Anyone making this promise is being dishonest.

The "Ghost Company" Scam: A Specific Threat to Watch For

A particularly dangerous scam involves fraudsters impersonating a real company that genuinely holds a sponsor licence. They use the company's name, logo, and even job descriptions to build trust. However, all communication is controlled by the scammer, and any money paid goes directly to them — not the real company.

Always verify a job offer by contacting the company directly through their official website. Search for the company on a search engine independently; do not use contact details provided in the suspicious communication itself. Cross-reference the email domain carefully.

How to Verify Any Employer: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Before sending any personal documents (passport, qualifications) or committing to any offer, complete these verification steps:

1. Check the official sponsor register. Go to gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers and confirm the company name appears on the list. You can also use FindMySponsor's Visa Sponsorship Checker.
2. Check Companies House. Look up the company at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Compare the legal name and company details. Registration or company age does not prove that a job offer is genuine.
3. Contact the company independently. Find the company's official website and contact their HR department directly using the contact details on that website. Ask them to confirm the job offer is genuine.
4. Never pay fees. If at any stage you are asked to pay a fee to secure your job offer, CoS, or sponsorship, stop all communication immediately.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

If you believe you have been targeted by a fake sponsorship scam:

1. Stop all communication immediately. Do not send any more money or personal documents.
2. Do not send money even if you are told it will be refunded or is a "deposit".
3. Follow GOV.UK’s reporting instructions. In England or Wales, report to Report Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland.
4. If you have already sent money or documents, contact your bank immediately and consider reporting to the police.