If your employer's sponsor licence is revoked, your Skilled Worker visa will be curtailed. The Home Office will notify you, and you will have 60 days to find a new licensed sponsor and apply for a new Skilled Worker visa. If you do not find a new sponsor within 60 days, your leave ends.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happens to your visa | Curtailed — a notice is issued with an end date |
| Time to find a new sponsor | 60 days from curtailment notice |
| Can you keep working for the same employer? | Yes — during the 60-day period if employer continues to operate |
| Does it affect your ILR qualifying period? | Curtailment period may count — get advice if close to qualifying date |
| Right of appeal | Limited — curtailment decisions can be reviewed |
| Notification method | Letter from the Home Office |
Quick Overview
✅ You receive a 60-day grace period to find a new licensed sponsor
✅ During the 60 days, your leave continues and you remain lawful in the UK
✅ You can start working for a new employer once you have a new Skilled Worker visa
⚠️ The 60-day clock starts from the date of the curtailment notice — not when you find out about the licence revocation
⚠️ If you do not find a new sponsor within 60 days, your leave ends
📌 Your employer is responsible for telling you — but the Home Office will also notify you
📌 Curtailment is different from your visa simply expiring — it is an active shortening of your leave
💡 Start looking for a new sponsor immediately — 60 days is not long in the context of a visa change
A sponsor licence revocation is one of the most stressful situations a Skilled Worker visa holder can face. The 60-day window is tight. Acting quickly is essential.
See how to change employer on a Skilled Worker visa for the full process of moving to a new sponsor.
What Is a Sponsor Licence Revocation?
A sponsor licence authorises an employer to hire international workers on sponsored visa routes. The Home Office can revoke this licence if the employer:
- Fails to comply with sponsor duties (record-keeping, reporting changes, etc.)
- Provides false or misleading information
- Is no longer operating as a legitimate business
- Receives a civil penalty for illegal working
- Is subject to a criminal investigation involving immigration offences
When a licence is revoked, the employer can no longer sponsor new workers — and existing sponsored workers are affected immediately.
What Happens to Your Visa When a Licence Is Revoked?
When your employer's licence is revoked, the Home Office curtails the leave of all currently sponsored workers.
Curtailment means your visa is shortened. Instead of running until your original expiry date, your leave is cut to 60 days from the date of the curtailment notice.
You receive a letter from the Home Office informing you of:
- The curtailment
- The new end date of your leave (60 days from notification)
- Your options
What Can You Do During the 60 Days?
During the 60-day curtailment period, you can:
- Continue to work for your existing employer — if they continue to operate, your employment contract may remain valid even though the sponsor licence has been revoked
- Look for a new licensed sponsor — search the GOV.UK register of licensed sponsors
- Accept a job offer from a new licensed sponsor — the new employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Apply for a new Skilled Worker visa — once you have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer
You should begin the job search on day one of the 60-day period. Time passes quickly, and the Skilled Worker application process takes time.
How to Switch to a New Sponsor
Within the 60-day period:
- Check the GOV.UK register of licensed sponsors to identify employers
- Apply for jobs and get an offer from a licensed sponsor
- The new employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Apply for a new Skilled Worker visa before the 60 days expire
- Pay the application fee and IHS
If you submit your new application before the curtailment date, you remain on lawful status while the application is processed (Section 3C leave extends your stay).
If the 60 days expire before you submit a new application, your leave ends.
Does This Affect Your ILR Qualifying Period?
This depends on your situation.
If you are curtailed and switch to a new employer on a new Skilled Worker visa, your continuous qualifying period is not automatically broken — provided you act within the 60-day window and maintain continuous lawful status.
If your leave lapses (the 60 days expire without a new visa), your continuous residence is broken. This means the 5-year ILR qualifying period may need to start again from the date of your new visa.
If you are close to your 5-year ILR qualifying date when the curtailment happens, get legal advice immediately. The stakes are high.
Common Mistakes
❌ Waiting to see how the situation develops before acting 60 days is not long. Finding a new job, securing a Certificate of Sponsorship, and processing a new visa application can take most or all of those 60 days. Start acting on day one.
❌ Not reading the curtailment letter carefully The letter gives you the exact end date of your leave. Know that date. Count down from it. Missing the date means your leave lapses.
❌ Assuming you cannot continue working during the 60 days You can continue to work for your employer during the curtailment period if they continue to operate and your employment contract is still valid. The employer's immigration licence is revoked — not your employment rights.
❌ Not checking the register of licensed sponsors The GOV.UK register is public and searchable. Use it to confirm any new employer is currently licensed before accepting a job offer. A new employer whose licence has also lapsed or been suspended cannot sponsor you.
❌ Not getting legal advice if you are close to your ILR qualifying date A curtailment when you are 3 years into a 5-year qualifying period is serious but manageable. A curtailment with 2 months to go could affect whether the qualifying period is met. Get specialist advice if your situation is time-sensitive.
Expert Tips
1. Start the job search immediately. Do not spend the first week in shock or waiting for your employer to resolve the situation. The curtailment clock runs regardless of what your employer does.
2. Check the register of licensed sponsors before every application. Not every employer that claims to be a sponsor actually holds a current licence. Verify at GOV.UK before investing time in an application process.
3. Keep all documentation of your lawful status during the curtailment period. Your curtailment letter, your new application confirmation, and any bridging evidence should be kept carefully. You may need to prove continuous lawful residence for future ILR or citizenship applications.
4. If you are close to your ILR qualifying date, consider whether an emergency ILR application is an option. Depending on your exact dates, applying for ILR before the curtailment takes effect may be possible. Get urgent legal advice if this applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my Skilled Worker visa if my employer's licence is revoked?
Your visa is curtailed. The Home Office will notify you and give you 60 days to find a new licensed sponsor and apply for a new Skilled Worker visa. If you do not find a new sponsor within 60 days, your leave ends.
How long do I have to find a new sponsor if my employer's licence is revoked?
60 days from the date of the curtailment notice. This period is fixed — it does not extend if your job search takes longer.
Can I still work during the 60-day curtailment period?
Yes — you can continue working for your current employer during the 60-day period if they are still operating and your employment contract remains valid. The licence revocation affects sponsorship rights, not employment contracts.
Does a sponsor licence revocation break my ILR qualifying period?
Not automatically — if you act quickly and maintain continuous lawful status throughout the 60-day period and into a new Skilled Worker visa. If your leave lapses before you secure a new visa, your continuous residence may be broken. Get legal advice if you are close to your qualifying date.
What should I do first if I find out my employer's licence has been revoked?
Read the curtailment letter carefully to identify your leave end date. Start looking for a new licensed sponsor immediately. Check the GOV.UK register of licensed sponsors. Get legal advice if you are close to your ILR qualifying date.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
The 60-day curtailment period following sponsor licence revocation is set out in Home Office guidance on sponsor compliance. The process for finding a new sponsor and applying for a new Skilled Worker visa is published on GOV.UK.
Official Resources
- Skilled Worker visa — GOV.UK — conditions and what happens when a sponsor licence ends
- Register of licensed sponsors — GOV.UK — check whether an employer is licensed
Our Free Tools
The Life in the UK test is required for ILR. Use the free practice questions to prepare while you navigate the sponsor change process. The ILR checklist covers what you will need once your qualifying date arrives.
Last reviewed: May 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest sponsor licence guidance and curtailment procedures.