Mismatched Dates and Licence Revocation: What Happens When Nothing Lines Up

Inconsistent dates on a worker's CoS, contract, and actual start date are a major red flag for the Home Office. This final guide covers mismatched dates and what happens after revocation.

You've meticulously prepared your sponsorship application, navigated the complexities of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and finally brought a much-needed care worker to the UK. But what happens when the paper trail of dates—from the CoS to the contract to the actual first day of work—becomes a tangled mess? In the eyes of the Home Office, inconsistent dates are a major red flag. It suggests you're either disorganized or, worse, dishonest. Neither perception ends well.

A Quick Recap: Our 7-Day Compliance Crash Course

• Day 1: The Right Documents (And Why You Need Them)
• Day 2: Reporting the Wrong Job (Or No Job at All)
• Day 3: When a Worker Leaves (And You Don't Tell UKVI)
• Day 4: The Salary on the CoS vs. Reality
• Day 5: Unreported Changes in Circumstances
• Day 6: Missing or Incomplete Right to Work Checks
• Day 7: Mismatched Dates & The Aftermath of Revocation

Part 1: When the Dates Don't Match Up

The Home Office demands a clean, consistent paper trail for every sponsored worker. The date on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) sets the expectation. The employment contract must mirror it. And the day the worker actually starts their duties must align with both.

We recently saw a case where a worker's CoS was assigned in September 2023, with a note requesting a change to October. The contract was for October. The visa was issued in October. But the worker didn't actually start until August 2024—a ten-month gap with zero explanation on the file.

What You Should Do

The solution is simple but requires discipline. Before you even think about assigning a CoS, confirm the start date with the worker and ensure it matches the employment contract you are preparing. If circumstances change—as they often do—you must update both the CoS (via sponsor notes in the Sponsor Management System) and the contract itself.

The key is to maintain a single source of truth. For each sponsored worker, you should track every critical date in one central place: CoS assigned, CoS start date, any amendments, contract date, visa issued, and the actual start date.

Part 2: What Happens After You Lose Your Licence

Losing your sponsor licence is a devastating blow, but it's not the end of your business. Once your licence is revoked, you can no longer sponsor anyone or assign new Certificates of Sponsorship. There is no right of appeal. Your existing sponsored workers will typically have their permission to stay in the UK curtailed to just 60 days.

The Cooling-Off Period and Getting Back on Your Feet

After a revocation, you are barred from reapplying for a new sponsor licence for a minimum of 12 months. This is known as the "cooling-off period."

1. Conduct a Full Review — Perform a deep, honest audit of what went wrong.
2. Implement Robust Systems — Put proper, auditable systems in place.
3. Get Professional Help — Appoint a responsible person for compliance.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and should not be treated as legal advice.