COS Salary Rate & Allowed Allowance

[Retro4rocket]

A new employer has issued a contract of employment for a Tier 2 visa.

To quality for the experienced rate of pay, I need a gross salary of £33,300. The employer has have indicated a basic salary of £27,500 with an allowance of £5800 in which will be deducted each month pro rata from me to cover the cost of visa sponsorship. I have asked my employer whether my pay slip will say the deductions or whether it is done behind the scenes (which I'm not comfortable with).

In the Guidance document found on gov.co.uk it says they will not consider:
"any payments for which you need to reimburse the sponsor"
"one-off payments, such as those linked to the cost of relocation, which do not form part of your regular salary package"

Does anyone have any advice as to what the allowance I have described above falls into?

[CR001]

Is it an umbrella company??

[Retro4rocket]

No it is not an umbrella company.

[CR001]

Very unusual for a sponsor to charge migrants for sponsoring them, hence the question.

[Retro4rocket]

This is what I thought as well. I thought the sponsorship licence fee is incurred by the employer no matter what.

I'm now wondering whether they are using the "allowance" as a way to ensure my salary is at the appropriate level. Which again, I'm not okay with. What constitutes an allowance isn't 100% clear online. But it seems to be this will read as a reimbursement and/or allowance that UK/EU citizens would not be entitled to.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

[iworker]

how has he calculated the £5800. Over how long will this be reimbursed.
Since u will not pay tax on this amount, it will show in your hmrc record that your salary is lower.
When u come around applying for next visa, this will show up and u will be the one in trouble.

[Retro4rocket]

He hasn't told me how he has calculated that amount nor do I think he will itemize calculations on the COS.

There are bonuses attached with the role but these are not guaranteed so of course cannot be considered with the COS appropriate salary.

I suppose it's the case of is this allowance is included in my basic and if I will be taxed on it (which doesn't seem fair as it's not money I've necessary earned)? And is this "reimbursement for costs of visa" considered within the correct allowances. So confusing so any thoughts are appreciated!!

[iworker]

IMO, this is a dodgy employer. I would find someone else or stick with current employer