Skilled Worker Curtailment after Sponsor Revocation in the United Kingdom
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UK Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
If your sponsor has had their licence revoked or surrendered, UKVI will typically curtail your Skilled Worker / Health & Care Worker visa with a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor. In practice many workers face two compounding problems at once: a visa cliff edge, and unlawful fees paid to the now-revoked sponsor.
From 31 December 2024, the Sponsor Guidance Part 3 §C9 makes it a hard rule that sponsors cannot pass on:
- The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee
- The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
- The sponsor licence application contribution
Breach of these prohibitions grounds licence revocation. If your ex-sponsor charged any of those, you can recover them through Acas Early Conciliation and an Employment Tribunal claim under ERA 1996 s.13 — even after the licence is gone.
Note: Skilled Worker visa holders are subject to No Recourse to Public Funds — UC, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction are not available. The wages claim is therefore disproportionately important.
When does it apply?
- You hold (or recently held) a Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visa.
- Your sponsor's licence has been suspended, revoked, or surrendered.
- You paid the sponsor for CoS, ISC, sponsor licence contribution, or training charges that should have been the employer's cost.
- You have outstanding wages or notice pay from the sponsor.
What to Do If Your UK Sponsor's Licence Has Been Revoked
- Document everything — payslips, bank transfers, the CoS, the contract, the date the licence was revoked, the UKVI curtailment notice if received.
- Send the wages-recovery letter to the ex-sponsor invoking ERA 1996 s.13 + Sponsor Guidance Part 3 §C9 — 14-day demand window.
- If you have made a valid application to vary leave before your current leave expires, Immigration Act 1971 s.3C preserves your status while the application is decided.
- File a parallel UKVI exploitation report with the Sponsor Compliance Enforcement team — this can support the licence-revocation evidence base.
- If exploitation indicators are severe (forced labour, document withholding, threats), call the Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700.
- Free specialist help: Work Rights Centre (workrightscentre.org), ATLEU, JCWI (0207 553 7470).
What should you NOT do?
- Don't leave the UK if you have a valid leave-to-remain application pending — s.3C protects your status only if you stay.
- Don't sign settlement papers waiving wages or fee recovery without independent legal advice.
- Don't assume the new sponsor will reimburse you — your claim is against the old sponsor, not the new one.
Common Questions
When does skilled worker curtailment after sponsor revocation apply?
You hold (or recently held) a Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker visa.Your sponsor's licence has been suspended, revoked, or surrendered.You paid the sponsor for CoS, ISC, sponsor licence contribution, or training charges that should have been the employer's cost.You have outstanding wages or notice pay from the sponsor.
What should I do if my Skilled Worker sponsor has had their licence revoked?
Document everything — payslips, bank transfers, the CoS, the contract, the date the licence was revoked, the UKVI curtailment notice if received.Send the wages-recovery letter to the ex-sponsor invoking ERA 1996 s.13 + Sponsor Guidance Part 3 §C9 — 14-day demand window.If you have made a valid application to vary leave before your current leave expires, Immigration Act 1971 s.3C preserves your status while the application is decided.File a parallel UKVI exploitation report with the Sponsor Compliance Enforcement team — this can support the licence-revocation evidence base.If exploitation indic...
What mistakes should I avoid with skilled worker curtailment after sponsor revocation?
Don't leave the UK if you have a valid leave-to-remain application pending — s.3C protects your status only if you stay.Don't sign settlement papers waiving wages or fee recovery without independent legal advice.Don't assume the new sponsor will reimburse you — your claim is against the old sponsor, not the new one.