Sponsor licence refusals
The current sponsor licence application system was designed over a decade ago. Questions are vague. Evidential requirements are scattered over a series of documents. The website is frustratingly clunky. It’s easy to make mistakes if you are unfamiliar with the process.
If your sponsor licence application has been refused, it is usually possible to make another application after resolving issues that were identified in the refusal.
Sponsor licence suspension and revocation
Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in your sponsor licence being suspended or revoked. Sponsor licence suspension is serious and will prevent your business from being able to sponsor new workers while the Home Office investigates.
Revocation of a licence has severe consequences and will result in the cancellation of sponsored workers’ visas. Suspension will, in most cases, lead to revocation – unless it is successfully challenged.
How we can help
If your application has been refused, our team of expert immigration lawyers are here to help. We will identify the reasons for refusal and work closely with you to make a strong fresh application or, where appropriate, challenge the decision. You can trust our expertise to guide you through the process from beginning to end.
If your licence is suspended or revoked, please get in touch with us at the earliest opportunity. We will review your circumstances and help you to respond to the notice.
We are experts in the field and can work with you proactively to avoid suspension or revocation altogether. We offer sponsor licence compliance training and carry out mock compliance audits with you and your team to make sure your business remains compliant.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are common reasons for sponsor licence application refusals?
Common reasons for refusal include:
- failing to provide the right documents;
- failing to demonstrate to the Home Office that you are a genuine sponsor;
- nominating unsuitable personnel as Authorising Officer, Key Contact, or Level 1 User;
- triggering a compliance visit which goes badly; and
- simple human case working error, where the Home Office has misunderstood or missed a key piece of evidence – these errors do happen, and they happen often.
2. What happens if my sponsor licence is suspended or revoked?
Suspension prevents sponsoring new workers during investigation. Revocation cancels existing workers' visas. Seek legal advice immediately to address these issues.
3. How can I prevent suspension or revocation of my sponsor licence?
Consequences of sponsor licence suspension or revocation are serious. Do your best to avoid this by following good practice:
- maintain good record-keeping;
- only employ individuals with the right to work;
- have appropriate key personnel in place;
- put in place appropriate HR policies and procedures;
- conduct regular audits to ensure compliance standards are maintained.
Our team works with sponsors of all sizes to ensure ongoing compliance with sponsor duties and avoid breaches that could trigger suspension or revocation. We are experts in challenging unfair Home Office decisions, and if there are grounds to do so, we can help you.
In addition to the ongoing advice we provide to sponsors, we conduct mock Home Office compliance audits at sponsor premises to ensure you remain on top of your compliance duties. We advise across all industries and have extensive experience working with the care sector and hospitality sector.
In the higher education sector, we regularly work with student sponsor universities to ensure compliance with strict student sponsorship duties, as well as their staff sponsorship obligations.
If you have received a sponsor licence application refusal letter or a sponsor licence suspension or revocation, contact us now for quick and comprehensive advice.
If you are interested in longer term compliance advice, or arranging a mock compliance audit and wish to find out more about your business’ sponsor compliance duties, please contact our immigration law team.
