For companies aiming to employ skilled migrant workers, a rejected or refused sponsor licence application can present a substantial hurdle to workforce expansion and operational continuity. Beyond losing the application fee, you’ll be unable to employ foreign workers without a valid licence.

Immigration Secure is here to assist you in avoiding pitfalls that could lead to the rejection or refusal of your sponsor licence applications. We’re also available to guide you on the best steps to take if your application is rejected or refused. You can always reach out to us for assistance through online channels, by phone, or in person. For immediate help or assistance, contact us.

When you submit a sponsor licence application to the United Kingdom Immigration and Visas (UKVI), you typically receive one of three possible responses: approval (resulting in an A-rated licence), rejection, or refusal.

In the case of a rejected application, a company can reapply immediately. A rejected application is essentially invalidated by the UKVI, with the application fee usually

refunded. In contrast, a refused application is often more complex and carries more significant consequences. The application fee is forfeited, and the company is barred from immediate reapplication.

Rejected sponsor licences, referred to as “invalid applications” by the UKVI, often result from errors and omissions in the application process. The Home Office may reject your application for various reasons, including:

Avoid these pitfalls by seeking professional assistance with your application process. Immigration Secure possesses expertise in UK immigration regulations and can ensure your sponsor licence application is error-free.

A refused sponsor licence application presents more significant challenges than a rejected one. The application fee is non-refundable, and an administrative review cannot be pursued. The Home Office refuses an application when it identifies severe and fundamental issues.

You will need to wait for a cooling-off period of 6 to 12 months before reapplying, depending on the reason for the refusal. In extreme cases, this cooling-off period can extend to 5 years.

Several factors can lead to the refusal of a sponsor licence application. Common reasons include:

Incorrect Supporting Documents: Failure to provide the correct supporting documents is one of the most frequent causes of sponsor licence refusals. Organizations applying for a sponsor licence in the UK must furnish at least four supporting documents from Appendix A to prove their legal and lawful operation in the UK.

Late Submission of Supporting Documents: Supporting documents must be mailed to the UKVI office within five working days of online application submission. Failure to adhere to this timeline can result in refusal.

Failed Genuineness Test: To approve your application, the Home Office must believe that you genuinely require a sponsor licence. You must demonstrate that the position you’re sponsoring a migrant worker for meets the required skill level and cannot be filled by a UK resident.

Submission of False Documents: The Home Office will refuse your application if it discovers that you submitted false documents. You will forfeit the application fee and face a cooling-off period before reapplication.

Failed Home Office Compliance Visit: Home Office officials conduct a compliance visit to your business premises before deciding on a sponsor licence application. If they believe your HR systems are inadequate for fulfilling sponsor duties, they may refuse your application.

Key Personnel Issues: Personnel appointed to carry out sponsorship duties must meet specific criteria, and background checks are conducted on each member of the sponsorship team. Your application may be refused if any key personnel or company directors/partners have violated immigration policies or have unspent criminal convictions.

Previous Immigration Offences: An organization will not receive a sponsor licence if it has been charged with an immigration offence within the last 12 months.
Revoked Licence: An organization’s sponsor licence can be revoked if it fails to comply with Home Office sponsorship guidelines or doesn’t fulfill sponsorship responsibilities. This may lead to a cooling-off period before reapplication.

Caseworker Error: A caseworker error occurs when there is a processing error on the part of UKVI. For example, if relevant documentation is overlooked during your application review, it can lead to refusal.

When UKVI refuses a licence application, you do not have the right to appeal for an administrative review. Instead, you can either accept the decision and reapply (following a cooling-off period where applicable) or explore alternative ways to challenge the decision. There are two methods to challenge a licence refusal:

This option is applicable when the refusal results from a caseworker error. It is the most effective route for challenging a refusal decision due to such an error. A caseworker error can occur when the reviewing officer overlooks a relevant supporting document or misclassifies an original document as false, resulting in application refusal.

If your sponsor licence application is refused due to a caseworker error, you should submit a “Caseworker Error Correction Request” to the Home Office. The error correction request form can be sent via email and must be signed by the authorizing officer. You must send the correction request within 14 days of receiving the refusal letter.

The authorizing officer will receive the Home Office’s decision via email within 28 working days. If the request is successful, you can reapply online, and the second licence fee will be refunded in full upon approval.

If you believe the Home Office’s decision is unlawful, you can request a judicial review. A judicial review application must be submitted within three months of the refusal date. This process involves a judge thoroughly reviewing the application process and how UKVI reached its decision.

However, a judicial review is a complex procedure that requires expert assistance. You must demonstrate to the court that the Home Office’s decision is unlawful and improper, and that no reasonable body could make such a decision based on verifiable evidence. Success rates for judicial reviews are generally low.

While you cannot appeal for an administrative review, you may be permitted to reapply for a licence immediately, depending on the reasons for the refusal. Immediate reapplication is typically allowed if your licence was refused due to an inability to provide supporting documents within the specified timeframe.

In the case of a caseworker error issue, you can reapply once your error correction request is approved. If a cooling-off period applies to your refused application, you will need to wait for the period to elapse before reapplying. Cooling-off periods usually range from 6 to 12 months.