Sponsor Licences
Skilled Worker and UK Expansion Worker sponsor licences, applications, renewals, refusals, suspensions, and revocations with compliance-focused support for employers.
Applying for, renewing, or maintaining a Sponsor Licence carries real compliance risk: errors or missed obligations can lead to refusal, suspension, or revocation. Our immigration specialists guide UK employers through the full process, from first application to ongoing compliance, so your licence stays secure.
- Skilled Worker & UK Expansion Worker licences: applications, renewals, refusals, suspensions, and revocations
- SRA-regulated specialists with sponsor licences secured
- Response within 24 hours
Already suspended or revoked? Call us now on 020 3633 0909 — every hour counts once UKVI has started your deadline.
Who it is for
UK employers hiring overseas or non-settled workers who need sponsorship (Skilled Worker, UK Expansion Worker, and other sponsored routes).
What we handle
Sponsor licence applications, renewals, and responses to refusals, suspensions, or revocations with compliance guidance.
Outcome we target
Approved licences, uninterrupted sponsorship capability, and safeguarded hiring with timely remedies if issues arise.
Sponsor licence services we cover
Sponsor licence pathways and remediation across Skilled Worker, UK Expansion Worker, applications, renewals, and enforcement actions.
Sponsor Licence Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker route offers an opportunity for skilled overseas nationals with a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor. To obtain the Skilled Worker visa, you must be sponsored for a specific job that meets skill and salary criteria, by an employer holding a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
UK Expansion Worker
The Global Business Mobility - UK Expansion Worker visa is designed for overseas businesses aiming to set up a branch or subsidiary in the UK. This route lets eligible businesses sponsor senior managers or specialists temporarily assigned to expansion work.
Sponsor Licence Applications
If you plan to employ an overseas worker without UK work permission, you must apply for a sponsor licence. The licence type depends on the worker's immigration route, and most EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals now require sponsorship to work in the UK.
Sponsor Licence Renewals
Sponsor licences are initially granted for 4 years. Renewal before expiry extends your sponsorship privileges for another 4 years so you can continue employing overseas workers.
Sponsor Licence Refusals
If the Home Office refuses your sponsor licence application, there is no right of appeal, but options like Administrative Review or Judicial Review may be available. We help you explore and pursue remedies.
Sponsor Licence Suspensions
If UKVI suspects breaches of sponsorship duties, they can suspend your licence while investigating. Compliance is critical to avoid suspension; we help remediate and respond during this period.
Sponsor Licence Revocations
For serious or repeated breaches, or if a sponsor ceases UK operations, UKVI can revoke the licence, ending sponsorship rights. We advise on prevention and next steps if revocation is threatened.
Already dealing with a compliance action?
Tell us where you are and we'll point you to the right next step.
My licence has been suspended
Your sponsorship activity is paused while UKVI investigates. You'll typically have 20 working days to respond — we help you meet that deadline.
My licence has been revoked
Revocation ends your right to sponsor and can trigger curtailment for your sponsored workers. Options may still exist.
My licence has been downgraded to a B-rating
A downgrade means UKVI isn't satisfied with your response — your licence stays valid, but you're placed on a paid Action Plan and can't assign new Certificates of Sponsorship until you're reinstated to A-rating.
My application was refused
No right of appeal on refusal, but Administrative Review or Judicial Review may be available depending on the reason.
How we respond — from your letter to your outcome
We review your letter within hours
Deadline (typically 20 working days), allegations, and what's actually at risk for your business and your sponsored workers.
We review the evidence with you
SMS records, HR files, right-to-work checks, and reporting history — built on what UKVI will actually test.
We prepare your representations
Every allegation answered, with evidence, not a general explanation that raises new questions.
We advise on your workforce
Guidance on your sponsored staff's status alongside the legal response, not as an afterthought.
Meet your sponsor licence suspension & revocation specialists
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority — SRA firm no. 8003128.
Nadia Riaz
Solicitor
Sponsor licence suspension and revocation defence, administrative reviews, appeals, and judicial review applications.
Book with Nadia
MD Ziaul Alam
Solicitor
Former Home Office Immigration Officer, now advising on sponsor licence suspension and revocation defence.
Book with MDReserved Legal Activities
As an SRA-regulated law firm — not just an immigration adviser — WPC Lawyers can represent you in Judicial Review litigation if it comes to that, including rights of audience and conduct of litigation, both Reserved Legal Activities under the Legal Services Act 2007. Many immigration specialists can advise up to that point but can't litigate on your behalf; we can.
Sponsor licence suspension and revocation — common questions
What happens to my sponsored workers if my licence is revoked?
UKVI can curtail their permission to stay, typically giving a limited period — commonly around 60 days — to find another sponsor or leave the UK. Identifying every affected worker and their key dates is one of the first things we help with.
Can I appeal a revocation?
There's no general right of appeal against revocation. Administrative Review or Judicial Review may be available in limited circumstances depending on how the decision was reached — this needs assessing case by case.
How long is the cooling-off period before I can reapply?
It depends on the reason for revocation and current Home Office guidance. Some circumstances are treated differently, so don't assume a standard waiting period applies to your case.
What happens if my sponsor licence application is refused?
There's no right of appeal against a refused sponsor licence application. Administrative Review or Judicial Review may be available depending on the reason given — we review your refusal letter to identify the strongest route and advise on reapplying.
What's a B-rating and how do I fix it?
A downgrade can happen after a compliance visit or as an outcome of a suspension review if UKVI isn't fully satisfied by your response. It means your licence stays valid but moves to a B-rating with a paid Action Plan attached — you can't assign new Certificates of Sponsorship until you're reinstated to A-rating. We advise on satisfying the Action Plan and getting back to full sponsorship.
How long do I have to respond to a suspension letter?
Typically 20 working days from the date of your suspension notice, though always check the exact deadline stated in your letter. Preserve the letter and your records and get advice immediately — this isn't a deadline to sit on.
Will contacting you cost me anything upfront?
An initial consultation starts from £50 + VAT. If you're suspended, our fee for representations starts from £1,500 + VAT. If you've been revoked, we start with a Pre-Action Protocol letter (from £750 + VAT), moving to Judicial Review (from £2,000 + VAT) only if needed. You'll always get a written estimate before further work begins.
What a suspension or revocation response will cost
All prices exclusive of VAT. Written estimate always provided before further work begins.
| Situation | Service | Fee (Excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| First conversation, any situation | Initial Consultation (up to 15 min) | From £50 |
| Suspended | Sponsor Licence Suspension — review, advice & representations | From £1,500 |
| Revoked | Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) letter | From £750 |
| Revoked, if PAP unresolved | Judicial Review | From £2,000 |
For particularly complex cases or where urgent turnaround is needed, bespoke pricing may apply. See the full fees page for further detail.
Need sponsor licence support?
We handle applications, renewals, and responses to refusals, suspensions, and revocations to keep your sponsorship compliant and secure.