A UK Sponsor Licence Suspension is a temporary measure by UKVI where employers lose the right to sponsor new overseas workers due to suspected breaches of compliance and sponsorship duties. After having your sponsor licence suspended, you cannot issue new Certificates of Sponsorship, but your existing sponsored workers can continue working.
Our lawyers have won appeals in hundreds of Sponsor Licence suspension cases. We close compliance gaps and liaise with the Home Office on your behalf. We act swiftly to protect your business and get your sponsorship licence back to its A-rating. Whether facing a Sponsor Licence Suspension or risk of downgrade, our team ensures prompt response and representation to protect your Sponsor Licence Number and future visa allocations.
Pinpoint the serious breaches or omissions that may lead to the suspension of a licence and resolve them fast before any action can be taken.
Pursue legal strategies to dispute the suspension notice and restore your eligibility to sponsor.
Follow a clear roadmap for appeals, corrective actions, and engagement with the Home Office in support of restoring your licence.
Our senior immigration lawyers deal directly with UKVI decision-makers to obtain the quickest possible reinstatement of your licence.
The Home Office suspends licences of companies that breached their sponsorship duties, but hasn't found evidence that would trigger immediate revocation. These common breaches for a suspension often decide the fate of your licence:
Failing to verify and record a worker's immigration status before employment is a violation of your core duty. Even one missed right-to-work check can trigger enforcement action.
Failure to maintain complete records of the employees, including their contact details or attendance logs, results in compliance issues.
Incorrect entering of start dates or job codes into the SMS makes it difficult for the Home Office to track the staff you have sponsored.
Reporting changes in employment, salary, or contact details will have to be submitted to the Home Office within a given timeframe. Otherwise, penalties will be imposed.
All Certificates of Sponsorship must be correctly assigned, activated, and recorded. The absence or incorrect records will all lead to disbelief from the Home Office.
Using systems that do not keep track of sponsored workers or that do not preserve the required documents exposes you to risks of non-compliance.
Sponsor Licence suspensions can be triggered by pay discrepancies, such as paying staff below the required salary threshold or not meeting minimum working hours.
If job roles don’t match the actual duties (failing the genuine vacancy test), the Home Office may question the validity of your sponsorship.
Poor oversight of subcontractors and migrant workers on site can quickly lead to compliance failures and licence suspension.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we have successfully guided numerous clients. We’ve helped them navigate the complexities of a suspended or a revoked Sponsor Licence. Additionally, we provided them with effective solutions and peace of mind during challenging times. Moreover, our immigration solicitors are ready to answer your questions and review your processes. We will set up your business for long-term success.
When your sponsor licence is suspended, time is limited. You have 20 working days from the Home Office notice to act. Every day lost reduces reinstatement chances. There is no formal appeal process, so the right legal strategy in these crucial early days can make the difference between a swift reinstatement and a prolonged disruption.
Our 4-Step Response Plan
We move quickly to assess your case in full. Acting early gives us the best chance to clarify any issues with UKVI and keep your business on track.
Our team carries out a detailed review of your HR records, right-to-work checks, and compliance systems. We conduct compliance audits that help us pinpoint exactly what needs to be addressed so we can build the strongest possible response.
We prepare a clear, well-evidenced response tailored to your situation — designed to resolve concerns effectively and position your business for a positive outcome.
We stay in close contact with UKVI throughout the process, ensuring your case receives the attention it needs. Our goal is always to secure the fastest possible reinstatement so your business operations can continue with confidence.
Suppose your Sponsor Licence was rejected, suspended, or downgraded. In that case, we help prepare for compliance inspections, manage COS allocations to Skilled Workers, and support reinstatement or reapplication for both Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker Licences.
Getting your sponsor licence suspended triggers immediate risks that extend well beyond the hiring restrictions. Understanding these will be key to protecting your business.
A complete inability to issue new Certificates of Sponsorship will put a stop to all international hiring plans.
Your licence drops from A to B rating, which is a direct result of a Sponsor Licence downgrade.
Critical roles requiring overseas talent cannot be filled, stalling business efforts.
Emergency legal costs are incurred in addition to civil penalties of £45,000 to £60,000 per compliance breach. Check our civil penalty guide.
Notice of suspension may well be made public, damaging client and partner confidence.
The Home Office will revoke your Sponsor Licence if the suspension issues are not addressed.
With every single day of getting your sponsor licence suspended, your operations are at increasing risk, and your competitive advantage to access global talent is being eroded.
Applying for a UK Sponsor Licence can be complex without robust HRMS, but we make it simple. Maximise compliance and efficiency with our cutting-edge HRMS. Moreover, you get yours absolutely free when you hire us for your sponsor licence application. We also offer pre-licence priority service. Here’s what our powerful HRMS offers:
Prevention is more effective than cure. Strong compliance systems will protect your licence and keep the flow of overseas workers continuing.
Ensure right checks before the commencement of work by any worker (this includes Identity Service Provider (IDSP) check and verifying the share code)
Records must be maintained with current contact details, attendance data, and immigration documents for all foreign workers. Maintaining audit-ready documentation ensures readiness for unannounced visits.
Changes that need to be reported to the Home Office must be reported within the stipulated time frame (in most cases, within 10-20 working days)
Conduct periodic internal audits, at least on a quarterly basis, to ensure that gaps are identified and patched up before they set off investigations or Home Office site inspections.
Ensure that the Authorising Officer and the HR team is aware of all the sponsorship compliances, so your business can flag any issues ahead of time
Constantly monitor the SMS and respond to all requests from the UKVI without delays. Respond fast, and use automated alerts to prevent missed deadlines.
Our comprehensive guide to civil penalties and digital audits helps sponsors avoid issues before they arise, keeping your Sponsor Licence Number secure and your place on the Register of Licensed Sponsors intact.
Creating these defences ahead of time will safeguard your sponsorship rights and guarantee the uninterrupted ability to utilise the international talent pool.
Updates to the UK’s immigration rules now mean higher Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds, stricter digital audit standards, and tougher civil penalty regimes for breaches. The Register of Licensed Sponsors is also updated regularly, so businesses must maintain compliance to remain listed. These rule changes make expert guidance essential. Get in touch so we can help you stay ahead of the latest UKVI requirements.
When your sponsor licence is on the line, you need a team that moves fast and knows UKVI inside out.
We deliver a 24-hour emergency response to protect your business with legal action.
Challenging more than 500 sponsor licence suspension cases, our team boasts a 95% success rate.
We give clients direct access to senior immigration lawyers negotiating with Home Office decision-makers.
Our tried-and-tested compliance frameworks will free you from this suspension trigger and keep you safe in the future.
Service packages are offered with a fixed fee with no hidden costs and clear pricing systems.
Clients benefit from over 15 years of business immigration expertise in sponsor licence and over 5,000 successful immigration cases.
Yes, organisations can voluntarily surrender their licence by notifying UKVI. They may also revoke a licence for serious breaches of sponsor duties.
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Business Relationship Manager
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