Sponsor License Suspension
Sponsor Licence Suspension: A Complete Guide for UK Employers
If your organisation holds a UK Sponsor Licence, maintaining compliance with all UKVI requirements is critical. Failure to meet your sponsor duties can lead to your licence being suspended — a serious matter that requires urgent attention.
At UK Immigration Consultant, we help businesses respond effectively to suspension notices and take immediate steps to protect their ability to sponsor overseas workers.
What Does Sponsor Licence Suspension Mean?
When UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) suspends a sponsor licence:
You cannot assign any Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) under any visa category.
Your business is removed from the Register of Sponsors during the suspension period.
Existing sponsored employees may continue working unless UKVI later revokes the licence.
You must continue to comply with all sponsor duties even during the suspension.
If your licence is due for renewal, you should still submit your renewal application on time.
Why Does UKVI Suspend Sponsor Licences?
Suspension usually follows a UKVI compliance inspection. Common reasons include:
Resident Labour Market Test issues (for pre-December 2020 hires)
Underpayment of sponsored workers
Weak HR systems and internal processes
Inaccurate record-keeping or reporting failures
Failure to monitor sponsored workers or prevent illegal working
How to Challenge a Sponsor Licence Suspension
You have 20 working days to respond to the suspension letter. Your written response (called representations) must:
Address each allegation in detail
Include supporting documents and evidence
Be submitted within the deadline to avoid escalation
How We Can Help You
We offer specialist support to help your organisation challenge a suspension effectively and strengthen compliance:
✅ Professional Guidance: Clear advice tailored to your case
✅ Document Review & Response Drafting: Address every UKVI concern with solid evidence
✅ HR & Policy Audit: Spot gaps in your processes before UKVI does
✅ Mock UKVI Audits: Be fully prepared for any inspection.
Don’t Let a Suspension Put Your Business at Risk
A sponsor licence suspension can impact your recruitment and reputation. Get expert help now to protect your licence and your workforce.
📞 Contact UK Immigration Consultant today for urgent assistance and practical solutions.
