A1.55 Employee: Sponsor License Revoked

If Your Visa Sponsor (Employer) Loses Their Sponsor Licence (September 2025)

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/employee-lose-sponsor-licence

If your UK work visa is dependent on your employer’s sponsorship, the status of your employer’s sponsor licence directly determines the validity of your visa and your right to work. If your employer loses their licence, you risk losing both your job and visa unless you take timely action.

If You Are Already in the UK

1. Sponsor Licence Revoked

Impacts on you:

• Your certificate of sponsorship will be cancelled.

• Your visa will be shortened to 60 days (or the remaining duration of your original visa, whichever is shorter).

You must:

• Leave your current job immediately.

• Either leave the UK or submit a new visa application (e.g., find a new sponsor, switch visa category, etc.) within the 60-day grace period.

Exception: If you were involved in the misconduct that led to your employer’s licence revocation, your visa will be withdrawn immediately, and you must leave the UK at once.

2. Sponsor Licence Suspended

• If you have arrived in the UK but not yet started work: You can begin your employment.

• If you are already working: You can continue in your role.

• If you have submitted a visa extension application: Your application will be put on hold until the sponsor’s licence suspension is lifted.

3. Business Takeover or Licence Not Renewed

Your visa will also be restricted to 60 days (or the remaining visa duration, whichever is shorter) in the following scenarios:

• Your employer fails to renew their sponsor licence in a timely manner.

• After your former employer’s business is taken over, the new employer does not apply for a new sponsor licence within 28 days.

In these cases, you must leave your job immediately and either depart the UK or submit a new visa application within the given timeframe.

If You Are Outside the UK

Before planning your travel, you must check your employer’s sponsor licence status on the official register [official register link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers]. If their licence has been revoked or suspended, the company will not be listed.

1. Sponsor Licence Revoked

• If you have applied for a visa but not yet received a decision: Your application will be refused.

• If you hold a visa but have not travelled to the UK: Your visa will be cancelled. You will not be permitted to enter the UK if you attempt to travel.

2. Sponsor Licence Suspended

• If you have applied for a visa but not yet received a decision: Your application will be put on hold until the suspension period ends.

• If you hold a visa but have not travelled to the UK: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will contact you to inform you of the next steps.

Summary of Scenarios, Sponsor Status and Requirements

Your Circumstances	Employer’s Licence Status	Consequences and Requirements
Already in the UK	Revoked	Visa shortened to 60 days. Must leave job immediately and either depart the UK or submit a new visa application within the timeframe.
Already in the UK	Suspended	Can continue working. Visa extension applications will be put on hold.
Already in the UK	Not renewed / Business taken over	Visa shortened to 60 days. Must leave job immediately and either depart the UK or submit a new visa application within the timeframe.
Outside the UK	Revoked	Visa application refused, or existing visa cancelled. Entry to the UK will be denied.
Outside the UK	Suspended	Visa application put on hold. Await notification from UKVI.

Recommendations

• Stay Vigilant: Regularly monitor your employer’s business status.

• Prepare a Contingency Plan: Keep informed of alternative visa routes and have your personal documents ready.

• Act Promptly: If an unexpected event occurs, make a decision and take action quickly within the 60-day grace period