Sponsor Licence Revoked

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Sponsor Licence Revoked

A Sponsor Licence allows UK employers to legally hire foreign workers under routes such as the Skilled Worker visa. However, the Home Office can revoke a sponsor licence if the employer fails to comply with the strict duties and responsibilities attached to it.

Revocation means the employer immediately loses the right to sponsor overseas workers. Any employees currently sponsored under that licence will have their visas curtailed, usually to 60 calendar days, unless their visa is due to expire sooner.

Key Points:

A revoked sponsor licence means an employer can no longer sponsor foreign workers.

Sponsored employees may lose their right to work in the UK within 60 days.

Revocation is more severe than suspension (where issues may still be corrected).

Often linked to non-compliance, fraud, or employing illegal workers.

Employers must apply for a brand-new licence if they wish to sponsor again in the future will have to go through a cooling off period- usually 12 months but could be longer depending on why it has been revoked.

In many cases, sponsor licences are revoked following an unannounced Home Office compliance visit. Employers often underestimate these inspections, but they are one of the main ways the Home Office uncovers breaches in record-keeping, illegal employment, or misuse of the Skilled Worker visa route.

Common Reasons for Licence Revocation

The Home Office monitors sponsors closely, and licences may be revoked for several reasons, such as:

Employing workers illegally or without the correct visa.

Submitting false or misleading information to the Home Office.

Failing to keep proper records of sponsored workers (e.g., right to work checks, absences).

Non-compliance with salary thresholds or job role conditions.

Serious breaches such as facilitating illegal immigration or criminal activity.

Key Points:

Even a single serious breach can lead to revocation.

Minor compliance issues that are repeated or ignored can escalate into revocation.

Employers are expected to maintain robust HR systems to monitor sponsored staff.

Impact on Sponsored Workers

When a sponsor licence is revoked, it affects both the employer and the migrant workers.

Workers’ visas are typically curtailed to 60 days (or until visa expiry, whichever is sooner).

Key Points:

Sponsored employees should act quickly if their employer’s licence is revoked.

If they cannot find a new sponsor, they may have to leave the UK.

Legal advice is strongly recommended to explore visa switching options.

Options After Revocation

If a sponsor licence is revoked, employers have limited options:

Appeal or challenge – There is no formal right of appeal, but judicial review may be possible if the decision is unlawful.

Reapply for a licence – The employer may apply again, but usually only after a “cooling-off” period (often 12 months).

Correct compliance issues – Employers should take legal and compliance advice to ensure future applications are stronger.

Key Points:

Judicial review is complex and should be handled by a specialist.

Future applications may be scrutinised more heavily after a revocation.

Employers must demonstrate strong HR and compliance systems in place.

Contact our team today to discuss your situation in confidence.

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Sponsor Licence Revoked