Sponsor Licence Refusal
Why AY&J Solicitors For a Refusal
- Error correction is narrow. Most refusals are not caseworker errors, and a request that argues the wrong thing is likely to fail.
- We tell you honestly which situation you are in before you spend anything. If a fresh application is the better route, we say so.
Why A Y & J Are Your Ideal Sponsor Licence Solicitors
- First need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
Our story in numbers
First, which one are you?
Rejected
- Invalid, not considered, usually the wrong fee or a missing mandatory document
- Your fee is refunded
- You can reapply straight away
- Error correction does not apply, and you do not need it
Refused
- Considered and declined
- Your fee is not refunded
- A cooling-off period may apply
- Error correction is available, and you have 14 calendar days
5 steps to your sponsor licence.
A free 15-minute call with our client team to check your business is eligible for a sponsor licence and spot anything that could rule an application out. This is a screening call, not legal advice, so there is no fee.
You receive: a clear view of whether we can help, and your fixed fee.
Once the client care agreement is signed, a solicitor reviews your business, the roles you want to fill and your key personnel, then confirms the right licence type and the documents you need.
You receive: a written eligibility position and a document checklist.
We audit your HR systems against sponsor duties, fix any gaps, draft the policies you need and build your Appendix A document bundle.
You receive: a compliance-ready application bundle.
A senior associate reviews the file independently before we complete the online application, pay the Home Office fee and send your supporting documents within 5 working days.
You receive: submission confirmation and updates on a set schedule.
We prepare your team for any Home Office compliance visit and handle queries until the decision, then help you assign Certificates of Sponsorship and stay compliant.
You receive: a licence ready to use and a compliance plan.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
British citizenship eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We read the refusal and confirm you have a right of appeal.
You receive
A quick standing check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We confirm your ground, appeal or JR, and protect your 3C leave.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We draft the grounds and build the bundle and skeleton argument.
You receive
A complete appeal bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We serve the bundle and represent you at the hearing.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and advise on any onward appeal.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Individual eligibility assessment
A phone or video call, wherever you are in Edinburgh, to check for issues.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
A solicitor maps your options on a video call, at a time that suits you.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We gather your documents and build the evidence bundle for you.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
A senior associate reviews, then we submit and deal with the Home Office.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the decision and your next steps by video.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Family dependant eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We check both tests, the relationship and the finances.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We map the right financial category and the risk.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We build the relationship evidence and draft the application.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We submit online, book biometrics, and monitor the decision.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and plan extension and settlement.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Costs & Processing Times
In our clients' own words.
“After our ILR rejection, AY&J pursued our case through Administrative Review and Judicial Review. The team was open, honest, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. They kept us informed at every stage, supported us throughout an extremely difficult journey and helped us regain confidence in our case.”
Send us the refusal letter
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs and next steps
On these matters, the same day where we can. The deadline does not move, so neither do we.
Costs and next steps
Yes. Error correction or reapplication, we can prepare either. We also set up the compliance systems the Home Office will expect.
Costs and next steps
We read your refusal letter and tell you whether there is an arguable caseworker error. We also confirm how long you have left to request an error correction. If there is no case, we say so.
Costs and next steps
Not for the error correction. If it succeeds and you reapply, you pay the Sponsor Licence fee again. It is refunded once the new application is received.
Reapplying
It can be taken into account, particularly if the reasons are not fixed. That is why the reapplication has to address the refusal head on.
Reapplying
A Worker licence for long-term employment such as Skilled Worker, or a Temporary Worker licence for short-term routes. It must match the route you intend to use.
Reapplying
You can submit, but the Home Office will refuse it automatically. Use the time to fix what caused the refusal.
Reapplying
Six months for most refusals. Twelve months where a civil penalty was involved, from the date it was paid. Some refusals carry none. Serious cases can reach five years, and where more than one applies, the longest governs.
Reapplying
If the Home Office agrees an error occurred, you reapply and pay again. That fee is refunded once the new application is received. It does not depend on the outcome.
Your refusal
Then error correction will fail, and the refusal will stand. A fresh application usually has to wait until any cooling-off period ends, which is six months for most refusals. We tell you which one you have before you commit.
Challenging it
The Home Office aims to reply within 28 working days of receiving the form.
Challenging it
Your Authorising Officer. The Home Office also sends the decision to them.
Challenging it
No. Anything not available when you first applied will not be looked at. If your case needs new material, a fresh application is the route.
Your refusal
There are four. Evidence you sent not being considered. A genuine document treated as false. The guidance not applied correctly. An application wrongly refused as out of time. The guidance's own example is a cooling-off period applied incorrectly.
Your refusal
Rejection and refusal lead to different next steps. Error correction only applies to a refusal. Sorting that out first saves you time and a wasted fee.
Challenging it
Error correction is then closed. Judicial Review may still be open in narrow circumstances, and a fresh application can be made once any cooling-off period has ended. Take advice quickly either way.
Challenging it
14 calendar days from the date on the refusal letter. Not working days, and not from the date you received it.
Your refusal
No. There is no statutory right of appeal against a Sponsor Licence refusal, or against an error correction outcome. Judicial Review is available on narrow legal grounds, and normally starts with a pre-action protocol letter to the Home Office.
Your refusal
The letter will say. Rejected means invalid, usually the wrong fee or a missing mandatory document, and your fee is refunded. Refused means considered and declined, and it is not.