Revocation ends a sponsor licence. Section C10 and Annexes C1 to C3 of Part 3 of the sponsor guidance (version 08/26, valid from 28 August 2026) set out when the Home Office uses it and what follows. This guide summarises them, with paragraph references.
It explains the published rules. It does not assess any organisation or say why any organisation no longer appears on the register. The register itself gives no reasons. A sponsor facing revocation should speak to a regulated adviser about its circumstances.
The broad grounds
C10.1 gives examples of circumstances that can lead to revocation:
- the sponsor stops having, or never had, a trading presence
- it stops meeting the requirements of its routes
- a serious or systematic breach of sponsor duties
- it poses a threat to immigration control
- a relevant criminal conviction, or a specified civil penalty
- behaviour that is not conducive to the public good
C10.4 notes that grounds for revocation do not require breaches to be deliberate or knowing.
Three annexes, three levels
The detailed grounds sit in three annexes, each with a different weight.
Annex C1: the Home Office will revoke. These are the "mandatory" grounds (C10.5). The Home Office can revoke immediately and without warning. If it does not, it will normally suspend first. Examples include:
- knowingly giving false information in the licence application
- a role in practice that does not match the occupation code or job description on the CoS (C1(s))
- paying a sponsored worker less than stated on the CoS without reporting it, where the cut is not permitted (C1(aa))
- an SMS user assigning a CoS to themselves, a close relative or a partner (C1(o))
- failing a B-rating action plan, or not paying the action plan fee within 10 working days (C1(l) and C1(n))
- a role that is not genuine (C1(z))
Annex C2: the Home Office will normally revoke, unless there are exceptional circumstances (C10.6). Examples include failing any sponsor duty in section C1, lacking the processes to meet duties, failing to co-operate with a compliance check, and paying a worker in cash. Recovering the Immigration Skills Charge, CoS fee or licence fee from a worker is also listed, where the guidance prohibits it (C2(q), C2(cc) and C2(dd)).
Annex C3: the Home Office may revoke. Generally one C3 circumstance alone will not lead to revocation, but the more there are, the more likely it becomes (C10.7). An example is an SMS user sharing their password or multi-factor passcode (C3(f)).
For C2 and C3 grounds, the Home Office will normally suspend first if it suspects ongoing breaches, or may downgrade to a B-rating instead (C10.8).
What revocation does
When a licence ends through revocation (C10.2 and C10.3):
- it ends in every route on the licence
- the sponsor cannot sponsor any more workers
- the organisation no longer appears on the public register of sponsors
- the Home Office tells the sponsor in writing
- there is no right of appeal
GOV.UK's licence rating page also says you cannot appeal, but you can reapply after the waiting period.
Effects on sponsored workers
Any CoS the sponsor has assigned becomes invalid, so entry clearance applications based on it will be refused (C10.12). Entry clearance already granted but not yet used will be cancelled (C10.13).
For workers already in the UK, C10.10 sets out what normally happens:
- if the worker was knowingly involved in the reasons for revocation, their permission is normally cancelled outright
- if not, it is normally shortened to 60 calendar days, unless they already have 60 days or less left
The Home Office tells sponsored workers about the revocation promptly, without giving reasons (C10.15).
The cooling-off period
A new application cannot be made until at least 12 months after the date the Home Office gave notice of revocation (C10.16). This rises to at least 24 months if a licence has ended through revocation more than once (C10.3). Some civil penalty grounds carry their own longer periods, as the notes in Annex C1 show.
An application made inside the cooling-off period will be refused. The only exception is a revocation made in error, which the Home Office will reinstate.
Part 1 sets out one more exception. A revocation caused only by the inactive SMS user account process carries no cooling-off period (Part 1, L4.79).
The cooling-off period also applies to a sponsor that surrenders its licence while compliance action is under way (C10.17 and C6.7).
Reapplying
After the cooling-off period, a new application is treated like any other, with the full fee and documents (C10.18). The applicant must show it has dealt with every reason for the earlier revocation. Where the reasons involved dishonesty or deliberate misconduct, the Home Office will want compelling evidence of suitability. Part 1 adds that the end of the cooling-off period does not mean an application will be granted (L9.21).
The current application fees are £611 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for a medium or large sponsor (Worker licence, GOV.UK, 3 Oct 2026). The cost calculator adds certificate and Immigration Skills Charge costs.
Key Personnel and earlier revocations
Annex C2(i) says the Home Office will normally revoke a licence where its Key Personnel were named at another organisation whose licence ended through revocation within the last 12 months. The period is 24 months where it happened more than once, or across more than one organisation.
Common questions
Can we appeal a revocation?
No. C10.3 says there is no right of appeal. The only exception the guidance mentions is a revocation made in error (C10.16).
Do our workers lose their visas straight away?
Not always. C10.10 says workers who were not involved are normally left with 60 calendar days of permission, unless less remains.
Does the register say why an organisation was removed?
No. The register lists licensed sponsors. Our sponsor licence check shows whether an organisation appears on it today.
Can we talk to someone about our situation?
You can tell us about your situation. We do not assess cases or help with forms.