Licence suspended?You usually have just 20 working days to respond.Book an urgent call
Sponsor licence suspended or revokedAct within the deadline, protect your licence and your workers.
A suspension letter usually gives you just 20 working days to respond. Send it to us and we'll tell you where you stand and what to do.
- We read the Home Office letter and confirm your deadline
- A written response that deals with every allegation
- Video call as standard, wherever you are
Immigration consultation (30 minutes)
£150+ VAT
£180 including VAT
- Not included
If your licence is downgraded, the Home Office charges a fee for the action plan.
- Typical timescale
- You usually have 20 working days from the date of a suspension letter to respond, and 20 working days to respond to a downgrade letter.
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- Clear feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
Every case is different, so we charge by the hour and give you a written estimate before we start. Start with a consultation, credited against our fees if you instruct us. If you challenge a revocation by judicial review, that is quoted separately: see the tribunal and court work on our fees page.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration consultation (30 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £150+ VAT£180 incl. VAT | £180 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Home Office fees, which you pay directly to the Home Office.
Other costs you'll pay
- Sponsor action plan (if your licence is downgraded)£1,579
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 11 November 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
If your licence is downgraded, the Home Office charges a fee for the action plan. Court fees and barrister's fees for a judicial review are extra, and we agree them with you first.
Key stages and timescales
- Urgent call: As soon as you contact us; tell us your deadline
- Responding to a suspension or downgrade: Usually within 20 working days of the Home Office letter GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
- Action plan, if your licence is downgraded: A fixed period of 3 months
- Re-applying after a revocation: Usually not for at least 12 months, or 24 months if revoked more than once
You usually have 20 working days from the date of a suspension letter to respond, and 20 working days to respond to a downgrade letter. Contact us as soon as the letter arrives.
Home Office sponsorship fees on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
| Senior partner | £450 + VAT |
|---|---|
| Solicitors with over 8 years' experience | £350 + VAT |
| Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years' experience | £250 + VAT |
| Other solicitors, legal executives and fee earners | £170 + VAT |
| Trainees and paralegals | £110 + VAT |
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- The Home Office has suspended your sponsor licence, or told you it plans to downgrade it.
- Your licence has been revoked and you want to know if anything can be done.
- You've had a compliance visit and you're worried about what happens next.
- Your sponsored workers are asking what this means for their visas.
How we help
Step 1: Check the letter and the deadline
We read the suspension or downgrade letter, the evidence the Home Office relies on, and your records, and confirm the date you must respond by.
Step 2: Find and fix the problems
We go through each allegation with you and gather the evidence that answers it. Where something has gone wrong, we help you put it right and show the Home Office you have.
Step 3: Prepare your written response
We prepare your formal response and supporting evidence, so the Home Office can see why the licence should not be revoked.
Step 4: If the licence is revoked
There is no right of appeal against revocation. The main way to challenge it is judicial review, which has strict time limits. We advise you on whether it's worth it, and on your workers' options.
Why a suspension needs a fast response
The Home Office suspends a licence when it has concerns about how you're meeting your sponsor duties, often after a compliance visit. The letter sets out its concerns and gives you a deadline, usually 20 working days, to respond. What you send in that time is your chance to persuade the Home Office not to revoke the licence.
A strong response deals with every allegation, with evidence, and shows what you've done to put things right. A late or incomplete response makes revocation much more likely.
What usually goes wrong
Most suspensions come down to records and reporting: missing right to work checks, changes in a worker's job or pay that weren't reported, workers not being paid or employed as the Certificate of Sponsorship said, or HR systems that can't show the Home Office what it needs. Many of these can be explained or put right if you act quickly.
If your licence has already been revoked
There is no right of appeal against a revocation. Depending on the reasons, a judicial review may be possible, but it must be started promptly. Your sponsored workers will usually have their permission shortened to 60 days, so they need advice too. We can advise you and your workers on the options.
Who will handle your case
Your matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors, with a caseworker preparing documents under their supervision. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
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I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process.
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I used Sony Law after a recommendation from a friend, and they didn't let me down. They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. There were no hidden charges, and they worked very hard throughout the case. I really recommend them, and the service was highly professional.
Would my business pass a Home Office visit?
15 quick questions to see whether your business would pass a Home Office visit. Free, with no sign-up.
Use the free sponsor compliance checklistNot sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to respond to a suspension?
Usually 20 working days from the date of the Home Office letter. If the Home Office raises more reasons during that time, you usually get another 20 working days to respond to those. Don't wait: a good response takes time to put together.
Can I still sponsor workers while my licence is suspended?
No. You can't assign Certificates of Sponsorship while the licence is suspended, and you're taken off the public register of sponsors. Workers who already have permission aren't affected unless the licence is revoked. You must keep meeting all your sponsor duties.
What happens to my workers if the licence is revoked?
Usually the Home Office shortens their permission so they have 60 days left, which gives them time to find a new sponsor or make another application. If a worker was involved in the wrongdoing, their permission can be cancelled straight away.
Can I appeal a revocation?
There is no right of appeal. The main way to challenge a revocation is judicial review in the courts, which must be started promptly. We'll tell you honestly whether it's likely to succeed and what it would cost.
What is a B-rating?
Instead of revoking, the Home Office can downgrade your licence to a B-rating. You must then follow a time-limited action plan, usually for 3 months, and pay a fee for it. You can't sponsor new workers until you're A-rated again.
When can we apply for a new licence after a revocation?
Usually not until at least 12 months after the revocation, or 24 months if you've had a licence revoked more than once. Longer periods can apply in some cases, for example after certain civil penalties or criminal convictions.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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