If a university withdraws sponsorship for a sponsored worker, it can have significant consequences for both the worker and their immigration status. Universities often act as sponsors for international students or academic staff who require sponsorship to study or work in the UK.

When a university withdraws sponsorship, it means that the university is no longer willing or able to continue sponsoring the worker. This can be due to various reasons, such as the completion of a course of study or changes in funding or staffing.

In such a situation, the sponsored worker will need to explore alternative sponsorship options or make arrangements to leave the UK. This may involve finding a new sponsor, such as an employer or another educational institution, who is willing to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or considering other immigration routes that allow them to remain in the UK.

It is crucial for sponsored workers to be proactive in addressing the withdrawal of sponsorship from their university and seeking alternative sponsorship or immigration solutions. Legal advice from an immigration lawyer can provide guidance on the available options and help navigate the complexities of immigration law.

There are several common reasons why sponsor licences can be revoked. These reasons often relate to non-compliance with sponsor duties and requirements set by immigration law.

One common reason for sponsor licence revocation is poor record keeping. Sponsors are required to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of their sponsored workers, including their personal information, contact details, and employment history. Failure to meet these record-keeping requirements can lead to a sponsor licence revocation.

Another reason for revocation is the employment of illegal workers. Sponsors must ensure that their sponsored workers have the appropriate permission and right to work in the UK. Employing workers
without the correct visa or work authorisation can result in a sponsor licence revocation.

Failure to meet other sponsor duties, such as reporting changes in circumstances or ensuring compliance with immigration rules, can also lead to revocation. Sponsors must notify the Home Office of any changes related to their sponsored workers or their business operations.

It is essential for sponsors to understand their duties and responsibilities and ensure ongoing compliance to avoid the revocation of their sponsor licences. Regular review and monitoring of HR policies, record keeping, and reporting procedures can help prevent the common reasons for revocation.

The consequences of sponsor licence revocation can be severe for both the company and its sponsored workers. The company will no longer be able to sponsor workers, impacting its ability to operate and potentially leading to reputational damage. The company will also be unable to reapply for a sponsor licence for one year, further impacting its business. Sponsored workers may face curtailment of their leave and will need to find alternative sponsorship or leave the UK.

If your sponsor licence is revoked, it means that you are no longer able to sponsor migrant workers.

This can have significant consequences for the workers you have sponsored, as their leave may be curtailed. They will be given a grace period of 60 days to find alternative sponsorship or leave the UK. During this period, they can apply for other types of permission to stay, but the timeframe may be challenging. If they remain in the UK beyond the grace period, they will be considered to be staying illegally and may face removal.

There is no right of appeal against a sponsor licence revocation. However, companies can pursue a judicial review if they believe that the Home Office decision was unfair or unlawful. A judicial review involves challenging the lawfulness or fairness of a decision made by a public body. It requires gathering evidence and presenting a strong case to the court. Seeking legal advice from an immigration lawyer specialising in sponsor licences can help companies understand their options and navigate the judicial review process. The court will make a final decision based on the evidence
presented.

Sponsor licence suspension and revocation are both actions taken by the Home Office in response to non-compliance with sponsor duties. Suspension occurs when the Home Office believes that a sponsor poses a threat to immigration control and needs further investigation. During suspension, a sponsor is temporarily unable to issue new Certificates of Sponsorship but can retain their sponsor’s licence. Revocation, on the other hand, is the permanent withdrawal of a sponsor’s licence due to serious or repeated non-compliance. Revocation means that the sponsor can no longer sponsor migrant workers and must cease their sponsorship activities. Both suspension and revocation can occur following compliance visits or as a result of other non-compliance issues identified by the Home Office.

A sponsor licence in the UK does not have a fixed expiry date. Previously, sponsor licences were valid for four years and required renewal. However, this requirement was abolished on April 6, 2024.

Instead, all sponsor licences now have an automatic extension, and their expiry dates have been extended to 10 years from the original date of issuance. During this extended period, sponsors must ensure that they continue to meet their sponsorship
duties and comply with immigration rules. The Home Office may conduct compliance audits to ensure ongoing compliance. If a sponsor fails to meet their duties or poses a threat to immigration control, their licence may be downgraded or revoked. Here is a summary of the key points regarding the duration of a sponsor licence:

Duration of Sponsor Licence

Expiry Date | Automatically extended to 10 years from original date of issuance

Renewal Requirement | No longer required

Compliance Audits | Conducted by the Home Office to ensure ongoing compliance