Temporary workers - government authorised exchange
Withdrawing a certificate of sponsorship
This page explains how a certificate of sponsorship can be withdrawn by you, us or your sponsor under the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
What is a withdrawn certificate of sponsorship?
A certificate of sponsorship can be withdrawn at any time by your sponsor. Once the certificate has been withdrawn, it becomes invalid and cannot be used.
What is a cancelled certificate of sponsorship?
A certificate of sponsorship can be cancelled at any time by us. Once the certificate has been withdrawn, it becomes invalid and cannot be used.
How do I withdraw a certificate of sponsorship as I do not want to come to the United Kingdom?
If you want to withdraw a certificate of sponsorship because you do not want to come to the United Kingdom, you should ask your sponsor to withdraw the certificate of sponsorship. You do not need to contact the sponsor licensing unit as the certificate will automatically run out three months after it was assigned by the sponsor.
How do I withdraw a certificate of sponsorship as I want to take a different job with another sponsor?
If you do not want to take the job from one sponsor as you want to take a job from another sponsor, you must contact the first sponsor and ask them to withdraw the certificate of sponsorship. You must do this in writing or by email and give the sponsor five working days to withdraw the certificate.
If they do not withdraw the certificate within those five days, you should send a reminder to the sponsor, who has another five days to withdraw the certificate of sponsorship. If the sponsor still has not withdrawn the certificate of sponsorship in this time, you should contact the sponsor licensing unit in writing. They will contact the sponsor and get them to withdraw the certificate of sponsorship. You can find the sponsor licensing unit's contact details on the right side of this page.
When you contact the sponsor licensing unit, you must give the following information:
- your full name;
- your nationality;
- the name of the sponsor you no longer want to work for;
- the certificate of sponsorship reference number that you want withdrawn;
- the date you first got in touch with the sponsor to ask them to withdraw the certificate;
- the date you sent a reminder to the sponsor to withdraw the certificate;
- the name of the sponsor you want to work for;
- the reason why you want the certificate of sponsorship to be cancelled.
You must send a copy of any letters or emails you sent to the sponsor, which must show who it was addressed to in the organisation. You must also send any letters or emails you got from the sponsor, for example, an acknowledgment email or letter.