Sponsor Licence Revocations: What You Need to Know
If UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) determines that your business is failing to meet its sponsorship duties in a significant way, or if you cease operations in the UK, your sponsor licence may be revoked.
What Happens When a Sponsor Licence is Revoked?
When your sponsor licence is revoked, the consequences can be severe:
Curtailed Leave for Sponsored Migrants: Any migrants you sponsor will have their leave curtailed. They will be given 60 calendar days to either find a new sponsor or leave the UK. If their visa has less than 60 days remaining, they must secure alternative sponsorship or depart the UK before it expires.
Impact on Business Operations: You will lose the ability to sponsor any new migrants, and this can have a significant impact on your business operations, especially if you rely on skilled workers from abroad.
Common Reasons for Sponsor Licence Revocation
There are several reasons why UKVI might revoke a sponsor licence, including:
False Information: Providing false or misleading information in your Sponsor Licence Application.
Non-Compliance with Job Requirements: Employing a migrant in a role that does not meet the required skill level or using a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to fill a different vacancy than the one specified.
HR Policy Failures: Inadequate human resource policies, such as poor record-keeping or failing to comply with right-to-work checks, are common reasons for licence revocation.
What You Need to Know About Sponsor Licence Revocations
No Right of Appeal: There is no right of appeal against a sponsor licence revocation. This means that once a decision has been made, it is final, and you cannot challenge it through the usual appeal processes.
Judicial Review: Although there is no appeal, you may still have legal options. If you believe the decision to revoke your licence was unlawful, unreasonable, or procedurally improper, Linleite Law's expert immigration barristers can assess the merits of applying for a Judicial Review and provide representation in these proceedings.
Re-Application: After the cooling-off period, it is possible to submit a new Sponsor Licence Application. However, you must address the reasons for the previous revocation thoroughly in your new application to stand a chance of approval.
How Linleite Law Can Assist
At Linleite Law, we understand that the revocation of a sponsor licence can be a significant disruption, affecting both your business and your employees. Our team of immigration barristers is here to help you navigate this challenging situation:
Judicial Review Representation: If your licence has been revoked, we can guide you through the process of seeking a Judicial Review, should there be grounds to challenge the decision.
Fresh Sponsor Licence Applications: We also assist in preparing and submitting new Sponsor Licence Applications after a revocation, ensuring that all previous issues are addressed to improve your chances of success.
We pride ourselves on being approachable, proactive, and deeply committed to meeting the needs of our business clients. At Linleite Law, we provide clear, reliable, and professional immigration advice, helping UK employers maintain compliance and protect their businesses from further complications.