Assigned SOC 3544 (on Temporary Shortage List) – ILR Clock Concern, CoS Not Yet Used, and Feasibility of Reassignment

Hi all,

I’ll soon be applying for a Skilled Worker visa with a new employer who has agreed to sponsor me and cover all the visa-related costs (for which I’m super grateful!). I’d prefer to complete the actual online visa application form myself on the gov.uk website. The reason is that the form includes some personal information (such as immigration history, dependants, financial info, etc.) that I don’t necessarily want to share with the company or their legal team.

However, at the final step of the form, you’re required to pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) before you can submit it.

My question is: if the employer is covering the cost of the visa, does that mean they have to fill in the application on my behalf in order to make the payment? Or is there a way for me to complete and control the form myself and still have the company pay the fees?

Has anyone had experience with this? Is there a workaround, like getting reimbursed later, or can they pay directly without accessing my full application?

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

For someone else to pay they need to access your application and then be transferred to the payment portal.

If you don't want the employer to do this, the only way is completing yourself everything and then they reimburse the money - provided they offer this option (some companies in the UK do). Again, this is something more related to company hiring policies, you need to discuss with them.

JANESMITH023 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 08, 2025 1:14 pm

Hi all,

I’ll soon be applying for a Skilled Worker visa with a new employer who has agreed to sponsor me and cover all the visa-related costs (for which I’m super grateful!). I’d prefer to complete the actual online visa application form myself on the gov.uk website. The reason is that the form includes some personal information (such as immigration history, dependants, financial info, etc.) that I don’t necessarily want to share with the company or their legal team.

However, at the final step of the form, you’re required to pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) before you can submit it.

My question is: if the employer is covering the cost of the visa, does that mean they have to fill in the application on my behalf in order to make the payment? Or is there a way for me to complete and control the form myself and still have the company pay the fees?

Has anyone had experience with this? Is there a workaround, like getting reimbursed later, or can they pay directly without accessing my full application?

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

You can complete the application yourself, make the payment and the claim it back from the company. Speak with the company and let them know that's your preferred option. Alternatively, you can complete the form and then ask the person in charge to complete the payment section. i.e you log in to your account so the person in charge ( accountant or HR) can just use company card to make the payment right there in your presence. With this, you don't need to give them access to your application form. It's probably easier to make the payment yourself and then claim it back. It all depends on how the company operates.

Hi all,

I’m currently preparing to change employers under the Skilled Worker visa route, and my new sponsor has already issued my Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). However, I’ve noticed the Job Type listed is SOC 3544 – Data Analysts, which is now RQF Level 4 and has recently been added to the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) under the new July 2025 rules (HC 997).

⸻

My Situation:
• I am still working in my current job, which is classified under SOC 2431 – Management Consultants and Business Analysts (RQF Level 6);
• I have not yet started my new job – I’m currently working with the new employer to prepare and submit the Skilled Worker visa application;
• We are planning for me to start the new job at the end of next month (August 2025);
• Most importantly, I’m aiming to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in early November 2025, so immigration stability is crucial for me right now.

⸻

My Concerns:

1. RQF Level Downgrade

Moving from an RQF 6 role (2431) to an RQF 4 role (3544) may affect my long-term visa stability and settlement path.

2. Placement on Temporary Shortage List (TSL)

SOC 3544 is now on the TSL. Under HC 997, this means:
• No dependants allowed (unless previously sponsored under that role before April 2024);
• TSL status expires by 31 Dec 2026, with no guarantee of extension;
• Subject to early removal if abuse or non-compliance is detected;
• Employers must prove ongoing domestic recruitment attempts;
• Some roles (e.g. certain care roles) no longer eligible for out-of-country sponsorship.

⸻

Concern: ILR Clock Not Counting?

There are multiple claims circulating in Chinese immigration circles that time spent on a TSL-listed SOC code (like 3544) does not count toward the 5-year ILR qualification period, unless the applicant later switches back to a non-TSL role. I haven’t found anything in the official HC 997 document, Appendix Skilled Worker, or the ILR rules confirming this. Has anyone seen an official policy statement from the Home Office on this point?

⸻

My Questions:
1. Does time under a TSL code (like 3544) count towards ILR?
2. Has anyone successfully requested a reclassification from a TSL SOC code (3544) to a higher-level code like 2431?
3. Since my CoS is already issued (but visa not yet applied), how feasible is it for the sponsor to reassign the SOC?
• Would it require cancelling and reissuing the CoS?
• Would it create extra administrative burden or cost to the sponsor?
4. Would staying on 3544 risk resetting or jeopardizing my ILR eligibility this November?

Any insight or advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Djsuccess wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 12, 2025 2:02 pm

JANESMITH023 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 08, 2025 1:14 pm

Hi all,

I’ll soon be applying for a Skilled Worker visa with a new employer who has agreed to sponsor me and cover all the visa-related costs (for which I’m super grateful!). I’d prefer to complete the actual online visa application form myself on the gov.uk website. The reason is that the form includes some personal information (such as immigration history, dependants, financial info, etc.) that I don’t necessarily want to share with the company or their legal team.

However, at the final step of the form, you’re required to pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) before you can submit it.

My question is: if the employer is covering the cost of the visa, does that mean they have to fill in the application on my behalf in order to make the payment? Or is there a way for me to complete and control the form myself and still have the company pay the fees?

Has anyone had experience with this? Is there a workaround, like getting reimbursed later, or can they pay directly without accessing my full application?

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

You can complete the application yourself, make the payment and the claim it back from the company. Speak with the company and let them know that's your preferred option. Alternatively, you can complete the form and then ask the person in charge to complete the payment section. i.e you log in to your account so the person in charge ( accountant or HR) can just use company card to make the payment right there in your presence. With this, you don't need to give them access to your application form. It's probably easier to make the payment yourself and then claim it back. It all depends on how the company operates.

Thanks very much for your advice mate! It's very useful!