Losing your sponsor licence can have serious consequences for your business and its sponsored employees. A suspension can halt your ability to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), while a revocation can mean immediate loss of your sponsored workers and long-term restrictions. At Stretton Solicitors, we assist UK businesses in responding effectively to Home Office action and protecting their sponsor status through fast, strategic legal support.
In the year ending June 2023, over 300 sponsor licences were suspended or revoked by the Home Office due to compliance failures.
Sponsor licence action often stems from compliance breaches — whether real or alleged. Common reasons include failure to keep proper records, not reporting changes in employee circumstances, employing workers outside visa conditions, or not conducting right-to-work checks. Even small administrative errors can lead to major consequences if not addressed promptly. The Home Office carries out compliance visits and can act quickly if your systems aren’t up to standard.
If your sponsor licence is suspended, you cannot assign any new Certificates of Sponsorship, and you may face scrutiny of your entire migrant workforce. However, your current sponsored workers can usually continue working unless the licence is later revoked. It’s essential to respond within the deadline provided by the Home Office, usually 20 working days, with a well-prepared explanation and any corrective actions taken.
A revoked licence is far more serious — it results in all sponsored visas being cancelled and your business losing the ability to sponsor workers for a significant period. In many cases, revocation cannot be appealed, which makes it vital to act early at the suspension stage. If you’re at risk of revocation, legal advice is critical to mitigate damage and explore alternative solutions.
At Stretton Solicitors, we provide urgent legal assistance to businesses facing sponsor licence suspension or revocation. Our team will review the Home Office allegations, gather supporting documentation, draft detailed legal representations, and advise you on compliance improvements to strengthen your case. With our support, many employers have successfully retained their licence or reduced penalties, avoiding costly disruption to their workforce.
Employers with legal representation during licence suspension proceedings are significantly more likely to retain their sponsor licence.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If your sponsor licence has been suspended or you’ve received a warning from the Home Office, speak to our expert immigration solicitors today. At Stretton Solicitors, we’ll act swiftly to protect your licence, your reputation, and your workforce. Contact us now for urgent, expert legal advice.