5 Steps to Take If Your Sponsor Loses Their License

The Home Office will formally notify you that your visa has been curtailed, which means it will expire earlier than the date on your Biometric Residence Permit. In 2026, this notification is primarily delivered through an update to your digital immigration status, accessible via the online service. It is absolutely critical to check your status online immediately if you suspect your employer's licence is gone, as the 60-day countdown begins from the date of the decision, not when you read the email. Relying solely on a letter in the post is a significant risk that can cost you valuable time.

This 60-day period is your only window to legitimise your stay in the UK by submitting a new, valid visa application. Your right to perform any work for your previous employer, including supplementary work, ceases immediately upon their licence revocation. Continuing to work is a criminal offence and will jeopardise your immigration future. The entire 60 days must be dedicated to either finding a new licensed sponsor or preparing an application for a different visa category to avoid overstaying.

Your most urgent priority involves finding a new employer with a valid sponsor licence who can assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The essential actions if your employer cannot sponsor you anymore revolve around a rapid and targeted job search. You must secure a new role that meets the Skilled Worker visa criteria, including the minimum salary threshold of £41,700 for most roles. A comprehensive UK sponsored work visas can provide foundational knowledge, but your focus must be on execution within the tight deadline. Using a verified database of sponsors can dramatically accelerate your search by connecting you directly with eligible companies.

Begin by immediately updating your CV to highlight your skills and your urgent need for sponsorship. Proactively reach out to recruiters who specialise in your sector and explicitly state your situation and timeline. Simultaneously, leverage professional networks like LinkedIn to identify opportunities with known sponsor companies. When you receive an offer, communicate clearly that they must assign a CoS promptly so you can submit your application before the 60-day curtailment period expires.

If securing new sponsorship within 60 days seems unlikely, you must explore alternative immigration routes immediately. The most common alternative is the Family Visa, provided you have a partner who is a British citizen, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain, or has status under the EU Settlement Scheme. This route has its own financial, relationship, and English language requirements that must be met independently of your previous employment. Another viable path for entrepreneurs is the Innovator Founder route, which requires a unique, scalable business idea and an endorsement from an approved body.

The Student visa presents another option to lawfully remain in the UK while you reassess your long-term plans. This requires securing an unconditional offer for a course from a university with a student sponsor licence and demonstrating you can pay for tuition and meet the maintenance fund requirements. While this path does not typically lead directly to settlement, it provides valuable time and prevents a period of overstaying. It is crucial to remember that you cannot switch from a Skilled Worker visa to a Student visa from within the UK if you have already been served a curtailment notice; you would need to leave and re-apply.

The financial pressures during this period are significant, as you are barred from earning an income. You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days to meet the maintenance requirement for a new application. The implications when a sponsor licence is revoked extend to your finances, as you cannot claim most benefits due to the 'No Recourse to Public Funds' condition on your visa. It is also vital to pursue any unpaid wages from your former employer through the proper legal channels, as this is a separate employment law matter.

From a legal standpoint, it is crucial to understand that an unfair dismissal claim does not stop the immigration clock. The Home Office's decision to curtail your visa is independent of any employment tribunal proceedings. The primary legal goal is to submit a valid in-time application to protect your continuous residence for future settlement applications. A new Skilled Worker visa UK application submitted before the deadline ensures you do not break the chain of lawful residence required for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

If you have dependants in the UK, such as a partner or children, their immigration status is directly linked to yours. When your visa is curtailed, their visas are curtailed for the same period, and they will be named in the curtailment notification. Any new application you make must include all your dependants to ensure they also maintain lawful residence in the UK. The financial requirement for a new application will also increase for each dependant you include, a factor you must budget for carefully.

Your path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can be protected if you act correctly. The 60-day curtailment period itself does not break the 'continuous lawful residence' required for a settlement application, provided you submit a new visa application before the period ends. However, if you miss the deadline by even one day, you become an overstayer. This will reset your five-year qualifying period for ILR and could lead to a refusal of future applications.

Losing your sponsorship is a critical event that demands immediate and focused action. The 60-day curtailment window is unforgiving, and success hinges on your ability to quickly find a new licensed sponsor and submit a flawless application. Meeting the £41,700 salary threshold and other strict eligibility criteria under pressure is the primary challenge you will face. Your entire focus must be on securing a new Certificate of Sponsorship to continue your journey in the UK.

Your next steps are clear. First, confirm your exact curtailment date by checking your digital immigration status. Second, launch an aggressive job search targeting employers who hold a sponsor licence. Third, simultaneously evaluate your eligibility for alternative visa routes like the Family or Innovator Founder visa. Proactive management and seeking professional advice if your case is complex are the only ways to successfully navigate this challenge and protect your right to remain in the UK.