Hiring talent from overseas has become an important way for UK businesses to diversify, grow and develop their teams. At Waterstone Legal guiding employers through the recruitment process is a field we thrive in. This makes us one of the best immigration law firms in London. Having a lawyer on board from the start of the process can often prevent delays and prevent refused applications. However, on the occasion a refusal is made we are experts at taking care of it. Read on to discover why sponsor visas or work visa sponsorships are refused and what to do to get it resolved as quickly as possible.
Why Do You Need To Apply For A UK Employee Visa?
An employee visa is a work permit that allows a foreign worker to legally work in the UK. This needs to be applied for to comply with UK immigration law and not doing so can result in fines and penalties. To qualify for this permit a worker must fulfil certain requirements such as having a job offer from an approved employer. For advice on whether an employee requires this visa it is recommended to speak to an immigration lawyer near you. You can contact us at Waterstone Legal for top immigration services to ensure compliance and put your mind at rest.
Why Would An Application For Sponsor Visa Be Refused?
There are several reasons an employee’s visa can be refused with some being more common and easy to avoid than others. Here are a few of the main culprits;
- Incomplete application– The most simple reason for visas being refused is the wrong application being made or not properly completing it. For example the applicant may not have attached the correct documents or fully answered all of the questions.
- Inadequate evidence – It is important that sufficient evidence is provided of a job offer and sponsorship to satisfy the Home Office and have them grant the visa. It could be a case of not having these documents in place at the time of applying which can cause a refusal.
- Lack of ties to the home country – The Home Office must be assured the employee will return to their home country when the sponsorship visa expires in order to give them the green light. This can be a vague requirement to fulfill and support from an immigration solicitor is recommended if you are unsure.
- Criminal record – If the applicant has a criminal record and received a custodial sentence of over 12 months or more they may have their application refused.
If you are in the process of handling a refused sponsor visa and do not feel any of these are the reasons, get in touch with an immigration law firm. This is not a complete list and there may be a more subtle or rare explanation of the refusal. At Waterstone Legal, our solicitors are among the leading immigration experts in London. They can provide you with a relaxed consultation over the phone to answer any questions.
What Do You Do When An Employee’s Visa Is Refused?
When an employee’s visa is refused it can of course be frustrating, to prevent any further delay here is the action you can take to resolve the case as quickly as possible.
- Ask the Home Office to reconsider – Think your case deserves a second chance? You can ask the Home Office to reevaluate your application if you truly feel you have completed it properly and provided all the correct documents.
- Apply for an administrative review – In some cases your refusal letter may offer the opportunity to appeal for an administrative review. Not sure? You can ask one of our immigration experts today.
- Re-apply- Sometimes the best action to take is to start again. This gives the employee the opportunity to make sure everything is completed correctly. Believe it or not this can actually prove to get a quicker result than appealing a decision.
- Speak to an expert- If you are unsure how best to handle a refused visa application, the good news is legal immigration services are a call away. Speaking to immigration lawyer can advise you on the next step forward. With this you can get back to focusing on the day-to-day routine of running your business.
The Wrap Up
For employers recruiting overseas, employee work visas are a common requirement. While in most cases they can be approved, if mistakes are made on the application they can be refused. The reasons for refusals vary, in certain situations you can appeal the decision however sometimes it is quicker to reapply. If in doubt, it is best to speak to an expert immigration lawyer who can put your mind at rest and guide you through the process in the most relaxed way possible.
