What happens to my visa if my sponsor company closes?

If your sponsoring employer closes, they must report this to UKVI. Your sponsorship will be curtailed, and you will typically have 60 days from the date of curtailment (or until your visa expires, whichever is sooner) to find a new sponsor, apply to switch to a different visa, or leave the UK.

How long do I have to find a new sponsor?

You have 60 days from the date your leave is curtailed, or until the expiry of your original visa, whichever comes first. During this period, you can work for a new employer who holds a sponsor licence and can issue you a new Certificate of Sponsorship.

Can I switch to a different visa type within the 60 days?

Yes. You can apply to switch to another visa category within the 60-day period, provided you meet the requirements of that visa. For example, you might switch to a different Skilled Worker sponsor, a family visa, or a student visa. Your new application must be submitted before the 60 days expire.

What if I cannot find a new sponsor within 60 days?

If you cannot find a new sponsor or switch visas within 60 days, you must leave the UK. Remaining beyond the 60-day period without valid leave makes you an overstayer, which can result in a ban on future UK visa applications.

Company Closure and the 60-Day Rule for Sponsored Workers

When a sponsoring employer closes, revokes your CoS, or stops sponsoring you, your visa is typically curtailed and you have 60 days to find a new sponsor, switch visas, or leave the UK. Acting quickly is essential. This guide covers the 60-day rule, your options, and how to protect your status.

When the 60-Day Rule Applies

The 60-day rule applies when your sponsored visa is curtailed. This can happen when:

Your sponsoring employer closes or goes into administration
Your sponsor's licence is revoked by the Home Office
Your employer ends your employment and reports it to UKVI
Your employer decides to stop sponsoring you

In all cases, the Home Office sends you a curtailment letter giving you 60 days to regularise your status or leave the UK. The 60 days run from the date stated in the letter, not from when you receive it.

Your Options

Option 1: Find a New Sponsor

The most common option is to find a new employer with a sponsor licence. The new employer must assign you a new Certificate of Sponsorship, and you must submit a new visa application before the 60 days expire.

Option 2: Switch Visa Categories

You may be able to switch to a different visa category, such as:

A family visa (if you have a British or settled partner)
A student visa (if you have a place at a licensed institution)
A graduate visa (if you recently completed a UK degree)

Option 3: Leave the UK

If you cannot find a new sponsor or switch visas, you must leave the UK before the 60 days expire. Leaving voluntarily protects your ability to apply for future UK visas.

What to Do Immediately

If your sponsorship ends, take these steps immediately:

Read your curtailment letter carefully. Note the exact deadline
Start job searching. Focus on employers with sponsor licences
Seek immigration advice. Understand all your options
Do not overstay. Plan your departure if needed

Can You Work During the 60 Days?

During the 60-day curtailment period, your ability to work depends on your specific circumstances. If your visa has been curtailed, you may not have permission to work for a new employer until a new visa application is submitted (which grants you the right to continue working under Section 3C leave if submitted before your current leave expires).

Seek specific legal advice on your situation, as the rules are complex and depend on the exact wording of your curtailment notice.

Consequences of Overstaying

If you remain in the UK beyond the 60-day period without submitting a new application or having valid leave, you become an overstayer. This can result in:

A ban on re-entry to the UK (typically 1 to 10 years depending on circumstances)
Difficulty obtaining visas for other countries
Potential removal or deportation
Impact on future immigration applications worldwide

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have duties when they stop sponsoring a worker. See our guides on employer responsibilities and employer sponsor duties for details on what employers must do when ending sponsorship.

For information on the costs employers face when sponsoring workers, see our dedicated guide.

Protecting Your Future

While you cannot prevent your employer from closing or revoking your sponsorship, you can prepare:

Keep your CV updated and maintain professional networks
Know which employers in your sector hold sponsor licences
Save enough to cover living expenses during a potential transition period
Consider whether pursuing ILR sooner rather than later would provide security

Further Resources

Check the register of licensed sponsors at GOV.UK. See also our guides on citizenship requirements, English for ILR, and community support.