What happens if my CoS is withdrawn before my visa is decided?

If the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is withdrawn before your visa is granted, your application is normally refused. A valid CoS is a core requirement, so without it the Home Office cannot grant a Skilled Worker visa. You would usually need a new job offer and a new CoS to apply again.

Will I get my visa fee back if the job offer is withdrawn?

It depends on the stage. If you have not yet enrolled your biometrics, you may be able to withdraw and claim a partial refund. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is usually refunded if the visa is refused or withdrawn. Check the refund rules on GOV.UK, as they change.

I am already in the UK and my sponsor withdrew my CoS. What now?

If you already hold the visa, losing your sponsorship usually means your visa is curtailed (cut short). The Home Office often gives you 60 days to find a new sponsor, switch to another route, or leave the UK. Act quickly, because the clock starts from the date on the curtailment letter.

Can I switch to another visa route instead of leaving?

Sometimes. If you qualify, you may be able to switch to another route, such as a partner route or a different work route, from inside the UK. Whether you can switch depends on your circumstances and the specific rules for each route. Get advice before your current leave runs out.

Does a withdrawn job offer count against me in future applications?

A withdrawn job offer on its own does not usually count against you. A refusal because there was no valid CoS is different from a refusal for dishonesty. Keep your paperwork, because a clear record helps show the withdrawal was outside your control.

Job Offer or CoS Withdrawn Before You Travel

If your Certificate of Sponsorship is withdrawn before your visa is granted, your application is normally refused. If you are already in the UK, your visa may be curtailed, often to 60 days. This guide explains both situations and your options to find a new sponsor or switch route.

What a Certificate of Sponsorship Does

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record. Your employer creates it to confirm they are offering you a specific job. You cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa without one. You can read more about how it works in our guide to the Certificate of Sponsorship.

The CoS is the link between you and your sponsor. If that link is broken, the basis for your visa is also broken. This is why a withdrawn CoS has such a direct effect on your application.

If the CoS Is Withdrawn Before Your Visa Is Granted

If the CoS is withdrawn before the Home Office decides your application, the application is normally refused. The Home Office cannot grant the visa because a core requirement is no longer met.

You may see one of these outcomes:

Your application is refused because there is no valid CoS.
You withdraw your application yourself once you learn the job offer has gone.

In both cases, you have not entered the UK on this route. You are free to apply again later with a new job offer and a new CoS.

If You Are Already in the UK

The situation is different if you already hold the visa and are living in the UK. If your sponsor withdraws sponsorship, they must tell the Home Office. Your visa is then usually curtailed, which means it is cut short.

In many cases the Home Office gives you 60 days from the date of the curtailment letter. You can use this time to find a new sponsor, switch to another route, or make plans to leave the UK. The exact period can vary, so always check the dates in your own letter.

Option 1: Find a New Sponsor

The most direct option is to find another employer who holds a sponsor licence and is willing to sponsor you. They assign you a new CoS, and you apply for a new visa. Our guide on changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa walks through this process step by step.

Do not delay. If you are inside the UK on a 60-day window, you need enough time to receive the new CoS and submit your application before your leave runs out.

Option 2: Switch to Another Route

You may be able to switch to a different route from inside the UK if you qualify. For example, if you have a UK partner, you might explore a partner route. Whether you can switch depends on your circumstances and the rules for that route.

Check the official rules on the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa pages and get advice before you commit to a switch.

Option 3: Leave and Reapply Later

If you cannot find a new sponsor or switch route in time, leaving the UK before your leave expires keeps your record clean. Overstaying can cause problems for future applications, so it is better to leave on time and reapply when you have a new job offer.

What This Means for Your Money

A withdrawn job offer can affect your fees. If you have not yet enrolled your biometrics, you may be able to claim a partial refund of the visa fee. The IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) is usually refunded if the visa is refused or withdrawn.

Refund rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK and keep receipts for everything you have paid.

Your Rights and Next Steps

If you were already working in the UK, your employment rights are the same as any other worker. You may be entitled to notice or redundancy pay, depending on your situation.

Practical next steps:

Read your curtailment letter carefully and note every date.
Start your search for a new sponsor straight away.
Keep copies of all letters and emails about the withdrawal.
Get advice from a regulated adviser if you are unsure.

Your Job Offer or CoS Is Withdrawn Before You Travel