Is your UK visa at risk because your employer lost their sponsor licence?

If you are a sponsored worker or on a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, your immigration status is directly linked to your employer’s sponsor licence. But what happens if your employer has their sponsor licence suspended or revoked? This situation is understandably worrying, but knowing your options and acting quickly can make all the difference.

What happens when a sponsor licence is revoked?

When the Home Office revokes a sponsor licence, the business immediately loses its ability to sponsor workers. This has direct and serious implications for all employees currently on sponsored visas.

If your employer’s licence is revoked:

1. Your visa will no longer be valid for employment with that company.
2. The Home Office will typically curtail your visa, giving you 60 days (or until your visa’s expiry date, whichever is sooner) to either:
   • Find a new sponsor and submit a fresh visa application, or
   • Leave the UK.

In some cases, you may be notified of visa curtailment via email or post, but the countdown may start as soon as the revocation decision is made — even before you receive a formal letter.

What are your options if your employer’s sponsor licence is revoked?

If you find yourself in this situation, you will need to act quickly and strategically. Here are some of your potential next steps:

1. Find a new sponsor
   You may be able to secure a job with another UK-based sponsor. Once you have received a new Certificate of Sponsorship, you will need to apply for a new visa before your curtailment period ends.
2. Switch visa categories
   Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to switch to a different visa category (e.g. a Spouse visa or a Global Talent visa).
3. Return home voluntarily
   If you are unable to secure another visa, you should plan to leave the UK before your visa expires to avoid breaching immigration rules and potentially affecting future applications.

Conclusion

Having your visa status thrown into doubt due to your employer’s actions can be incredibly stressful. It is important to stay informed, act promptly and seek professional support where needed.

If your employer has lost their sponsor licence, your visa may well be at risk — but with the right advice and timely action, alternative routes may be available.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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