Cover note (application clarifications)
Keep cover notes short and factual. Use them to resolve small inconsistencies so a reviewer doesn’t have to guess. If you’re explaining something complex or borderline, consider tailored advice.
When to include a cover note
- Minor name formatting differences across documents.
- Passport change after booking or during the route (old vs new numbers).
- Salary figures that look different due to rounding or hour pro-rating.
- A large bank deposit that needs a one-line explanation and receipt/letter pointer.
- A small travel-history correction or added ticket evidence.
- Brief context on a past refusal that’s already been resolved.
Good practice
- 1 page max. Use bullet points, not essays.
- Reference the exact file names you uploaded (e.g.,
bank-2025-07-09.pdf). - Avoid quoting rules or arguing eligibility — stick to facts and pointers to evidence.
Common pitfalls
- Over-explaining: long narratives hide the key point. Keep each item to 1–2 lines.
- New contradictions: ensure dates, names, and numbers exactly match your form and CoS.
- No evidence: if you explain a deposit or trip, include the document that proves it.
Fill in details
Preview
Subject: Skilled Worker application — cover note
Applicant: Jane Maria Smith (DOB: 12 March 1993, passport: 123456789)
Application reference: GWF-001234567
Country of application: United States
Sponsor/employer: Acme Ltd{{#cos}}, CoS: A1B2C3D4E5{{/cos}}
Date: 3 October 2025
Purpose of this note
This brief note highlights small clarifications so the application and uploads are consistent.
Clarifications
• Name variance — My English test shows 'Jane M Smith'. My passport and application show 'Jane Maria Smith'. This is a formatting difference only; all biographical data match.
• Passport renewed/changed — I renewed my passport on 15 Aug 2025. New passport number is listed on the form; scans of both passports are provided. eVisa/UKVI account updated.
• Salary rounding / hours — Base salary is £58,000 for 37.5 hours per week. The CoS and contract match; monthly payroll figures show standard rounding.
• Large bank deposit — A one-off £3,000 credit on 05 Sep 2025 is employer relocation reimbursement (see payslip and HR letter).
• Travel history — A short trip to Ireland in May 2023 is reflected in the uploaded travel tracker; tickets attached.
• Past refusal (context only) — A 2019 Schengen visa was refused due to incomplete bank statements; a later application was granted after providing full evidence.
• Dependants — My spouse applies as a dependant; finances and address are shared. See marriage certificate and joint statements.
• Other — If any scan appears low-resolution, a higher-quality version is included in the combined PDF bundle.
Attachments referenced
• Passport (old & new)
• CoS summary
• Payslips (3 months)
• HR letter
• Bank statements (3 months)
• English test / ECCTIS
• Travel tracker (CSV/PDF)
Thank you for considering my application.Checklist (copy/paste)
- [ ] Each clarification is ≤ 2 lines and points to an uploaded document
- [ ] File names in the note match the actual uploads
- [ ] Dates/numbers align with the application and CoS
- [ ] Irrelevant detail removed; total length ≤ 1 page
Information only — not legal advice. If your situation is complex or borderline, speak to an OISC-registered adviser before relying on a cover note.