Employees: if your visa sponsor loses their licence
You’ll have to leave your job and leave the UK if your employer loses their sponsor licence - unless you make a new visa application to stay in the UK.
You could also be affected if:
- their licence is suspended
- they’re taken over
- they don’t renew their licence
What happens to you depends on whether you’re already in the UK when your employer’s sponsor licence changes.
If you’re already in the UK
When your sponsor loses their licence your:
- certificate of sponsorship is cancelled
- visa is limited to 60 days (or however long you have left on the visa if it’s less than 60 days)
You’ll have to leave your job and leave the UK unless you make a new visa application within that time - check your eligibility for visas.
If you’re involved in the reasons why your sponsor lost their licence, your visa will be withdrawn and you’ll have to leave the UK immediately.
If your sponsor’s licence is suspended
| Your circumstances | What will happen |
|---|---|
| Travelled to the UK but haven’t started work | You can start work |
| Already working | You can keep working |
| Applied to extend your visa | Your application won’t be processed until the suspension ends |
If you’re outside the UK
Check the status of your sponsor’s licence on the register of sponsors before you travel - your sponsor won’t be listed if they’ve lost their licence or it’s suspended.
If your sponsor loses their licence
| Your circumstances | What will happen |
|---|---|
| Applied for a visa | It will be refused |
| Have a visa but haven’t travelled to the UK | Your visa will be cancelled - you won’t be allowed to enter if you travel to the UK |
If your sponsor’s licence is suspended
| Your circumstances | What will happen |
|---|---|
| Applied for a visa | Your application will be put on hold until the end of the suspension |
| Have a visa but haven’t travelled to the UK | You’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) |
If your sponsor’s business is taken over or they don’t renew their licence
Your visa will be limited to 60 days (or however long you have left on the visa if it’s less than 60 days) if:
- your employer doesn’t renew their sponsor licence
- following a takeover of your old employer’s business, your new employer doesn’t apply for a sponsor licence within 28 days
You’ll have to leave your job and leave the UK unless you make a new visa application within that time - check your eligibility for visas.
Your visa will be cancelled if you have permission to come to the UK but haven’t travelled yet. You won’t be allowed to enter if you travel to the UK.