
Sponsor Licence Refused?We Can Help You Reapply
Expert refusal appeal and reapplication support with 95%+ success on reapplication. Turn your refusal into approval.
Can reapply IMMEDIATELY (no waiting period). Must address ALL refusal reasons. Administrative Review within 28 days if caseworker error. Success rate: 85-90% if properly prepared.
*Success rates based on properly prepared reapplications addressing all refusal reasons. UKVI makes final decisions.
Free Refusal Analysis
Expert refusal review • Immediate reapplication strategy
What Happens After Sponsor Licence Refusal?
A refusal is not the end. You have clear options to challenge the decision or reapply with a stronger application. Understanding why you were refused and how to address it is key to success.
Reapply Immediately
NO waiting period required. Can reapply the next day if you wish. Must pay fee again (£536-£1,476) and address ALL refusal reasons for success.
Administrative Review
Request within 28 days if caseworker made an error. £80 fee. Limited to procedural errors, cannot submit new evidence. 10-15% success rate.
High Success on Reapplication
85-90% success rate when refusal reasons properly addressed. Expert preparation and comprehensive improvements essential for approval.
Common Refusal Reasons (Loading...)
Not Genuine Trading Business
Insufficient trading history, unclear business model, no genuine need for overseas workers, or business appears created for sponsorship purposes only.
Inadequate HR Systems
No proper systems to monitor workers, insufficient record-keeping, lack of attendance tracking, or payroll systems inadequate for compliance.
Premises Concerns
Residential address used, premises too small for operations, no evidence of genuine business activity, or shared offices raising legitimacy questions.
Key Personnel Issues
Authorising Officer or Level 1 User don't meet eligibility criteria, same person for both roles, or insufficient understanding of sponsor duties demonstrated.
Previous Immigration Violations
History of illegal working, past civil penalties, no evidence of right to work checks, or previous sponsor licence revoked.
Insufficient Evidence
Missing documents, contradictory information, poor quality evidence, or unable to verify business legitimacy from materials provided.
How to Succeed on Reapplication
Addressing ALL refusal reasons comprehensively is essential. Here's what successful reapplications include.
Comprehensive Refusal Analysis
Read your refusal letter carefully (5+ times) and identify EVERY reason stated, including subtle points. Create a detailed plan addressing each issue point-by-point.
- List all refusal reasons (main and supporting points)
- Understand what evidence Home Office wanted but didn't see
- Map each refusal reason to specific improvement action
- Get expert legal analysis to identify implicit concerns
Strengthen Business Evidence
Build stronger trading history (2-3 months minimum), improve business legitimacy, and gather comprehensive evidence of genuine commercial operations.
- Generate invoices, contracts, and customer records showing trading activity
- Demonstrate revenue growth and expanding customer base
- Evidence genuine business need for overseas workers (why UK can't fill roles)
- Professional business plan showing growth trajectory justifying recruitment
Implement Robust HR Systems
Create comprehensive HR policies, implement attendance tracking, establish payroll systems, and document compliance procedures with evidence they're actually in use.
- Written HR policies (10-20 pages covering recruitment, monitoring, reporting)
- Attendance tracking system (software or robust manual process)
- Payroll system with documented procedures and salary records
- Screenshots/evidence showing systems are implemented (not just planned)
Improve Premises and Infrastructure
If premises were an issue, obtain commercial office space appropriate for your operations. Provide comprehensive evidence of genuine business presence at the location.
- Commercial lease or property ownership (not residential address)
- Photos showing genuine business activity and appropriate size for operations
- Business signage, utility bills, business rates demonstrating presence
- Space suitable for claimed number of workers and business type
Ensure Compliant Key Personnel
Appoint Authorising Officer and Level 1 User who fully meet eligibility criteria. Provide comprehensive documentation proving their suitability and understanding of duties.
- Both must be British citizen or have settled status/ILR (prove with documents)
- Different people for AO and Level 1 roles (cannot be same person)
- Comprehensive CVs (2-3 pages), employment contracts, proof genuinely working for business
- Evidence of understanding sponsor duties (training, statement of responsibilities)
Reapplication Process and Timeline
Typical timeline for successful sponsor licence reapplication is 4-6 months. Don't rush - thorough preparation leads to approval.
Refusal Analysis (Weeks 1-2)
Carefully analyze your refusal letter, identify ALL reasons stated, and determine whether to pursue Administrative Review or proceed directly to reapplication.
- Read refusal letter multiple times and list every refusal reason
- Consult immigration lawyer for comprehensive refusal analysis
- Decide on Administrative Review (if caseworker error) or reapplication
- Create improvement plan with specific actions for each refusal reason
Business Improvements (Weeks 3-12)
Implement comprehensive improvements to address ALL refusal reasons. This period is critical - rushing leads to second refusal, patience leads to success.
- Build trading history (2-3 months minimum for meaningful evidence)
- Implement robust HR systems with documented policies and procedures
- Obtain commercial premises if needed (lease, setup, evidence gathering)
- Appoint compliant Key Personnel and gather comprehensive documentation
Don't rush this phase: 8-12 weeks for real improvements is typical. Better to succeed in 6 months than fail again in 2 months.
Application Preparation (Weeks 11-14)
Prepare comprehensive reapplication addressing EVERY refusal reason explicitly. Professional presentation and organization essential for Home Office confidence.
- Gather all supporting documents and evidence of improvements made
- Draft cover letter explicitly addressing each refusal reason point-by-point
- Organize evidence professionally with tabs/sections cross-referencing refusal
- Immigration lawyer final review and submission (pay fee £536 or £1,476)
Home Office Processing (Weeks 15-26)
Home Office reviews your reapplication with higher scrutiny than first applications. Compliance visit more likely on reapplications - be prepared.
- Standard processing time: 8-12 weeks (no priority option available)
- Case worker examines improvements claimed and evidence provided
- Possible compliance visit to verify business legitimacy and systems
- Respond to any additional information requests within 10 days
Approval and Start Sponsoring (Week 27+)
If properly prepared (addressing all refusal reasons), 85-90% success rate on reapplication. Receive A-rating or B-rating and begin sponsoring workers immediately.
- Receive approval notification and access to SMS system
- Granted A-rating (full status) or B-rating (probationary with upgrade path)
- Begin assigning Certificates of Sponsorship to workers
- Start recruiting and sponsoring international talent for your business
Turn Your Refusal Into Approval
850+ refusal appeals successful. 98%+ success rate on properly prepared reapplications. Expert support from refusal analysis to approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from UK businesses about sponsor licence refusals and reapplications.
Urgent Refusal Support
Just received your refusal? Get immediate expert advice on your options and next steps. 28-day deadline for Administrative Review.
Call 0121 271 0499First-Time Application?
Don't have a refusal yet? Learn about sponsor licence requirements and avoid refusal with expert preparation.
98%+ Success Rate on Reapplications
Our specialist knowledge has helped 850+ UK businesses successfully overturn refusals with Loading... requirements. From refusal analysis to approval, we guide you through comprehensive reapplication process with 85-90% success rate when properly prepared.
Don't Let Refusal Stop Your Business Growth
Join 850+ UK businesses who successfully overturned sponsor licence refusals with our expert support. Reapply immediately (no waiting period) and achieve 85-90% success with proper preparation.
Immediate refusal analysis available. Administrative Review deadline: 28 days from refusal.
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it. See what thousands of satisfied clients say about our immigration services.
How We Compare to National Average
Value for Money
Would Recommend to Friend
Satisfied With Outcome
"Sponsor licence granted at the first attempt with zero compliance issues."
"Renewal completed before expiry so our Skilled Worker visas stayed valid."
"Mock compliance audit kept us safe from Home Office visits."
Outstanding Client Satisfaction – 4.7/5 Rating
Trusted by clients worldwide with 251 verified Google reviews. BSB-regulated immigration specialists helping thousands achieve their UK visa goals.
Google Maps - 4.7 Rating with 251 Google reviews →Dated: 04 April 2025
Meet the Specialists Behind Your Success
Our experienced team of immigration professionals is dedicated to helping you navigate the UK visa process with confidence.

Ian Henery
Solicitor

Malik Ansar
Immigration Consultant

Saima Kauser
Head of Administration

Alybah Fatima
Admin

Mohamed Mohamed
Immigration Case Worker

Safwan Shah
Legal Assistant

Musa Babal
Immigration Consultant
With decades of combined experience, our team has successfully helped thousands of families reunite in the UK.
Our Offices
Nationwide coverage via our offices plus secure remote representation worldwide
Get In Touch Today
Ready to start your UK visa journey? Contact our expert team for personalized guidance and professional representation.
How to Reach Us
Email Enquiry
info@ukmigrationsolicitors.co.uk
Send your questions via email
Response within 24 hours
Send email →Online Assessment
Free consultation
Get started with our online form
Available 24/7
Emergency & Urgent Cases
Facing detention, deportation, or time-sensitive deadlines? Call us immediately for priority assistance.
Emergency Line: 0121 271 0499Send Us a Message
Ready to Start Your UK Visa Journey?
Get a free online assessment and speak to a solicitor today.