Visa Curtailment Issues
Curtailment is the Home Office shortening your leave before its original expiry date. You are usually given 60 days to leave the UK or apply for another visa, and 14 days if you want to challenge the decision by administrative review.
- 60 days
- Usual time to leave the UK or apply for another visa
- 14 days
- Deadline to challenge curtailment by administrative review
- Work rights
- You can keep working during the 60-day period if you had permission
- 10-year ban
- The risk if you do not act and become an overstayer
Specialist signposting — not a directly provided service
Wesbridge Associates is regulated at IAA Level 1 and does not provide this service. We can help you find a suitably authorised adviser. Wesbridge Associates is authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1. We do not conduct litigation, tribunal or court advocacy, or other work outside that authorisation. We can identify the type of help you may need and signpost or refer you to an appropriately authorised adviser, solicitor or barrister. A referral is not confirmation that the specialist will accept your case. If a deadline applies, seek authorised advice immediately. Read our regulatory disclosures.
What this means
Curtailment does not remove your status overnight. It sets a new, much shorter end date, and everything after that depends on what you do inside it.
Visa curtailment is when the Home Office shortens your leave to remain in the UK before its original expiry date. This is a serious matter that can happen for various reasons, and it requires immediate action to protect your immigration status and avoid becoming an overstayer.
Wesbridge Associates is regulated at IAA Level 1 and does not provide this service. We can help you find a suitably authorised adviser. For this type of matter that will usually be an IAA Level 3 adviser or a solicitor.
Deadline
Why curtailment happens
Six situations account for most curtailment notices.
Employment ended
You lost your job, or your employer withdrew the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Sponsor licence suspended
Your employer's sponsor licence was revoked or downgraded.
Relationship breakdown
Separation from a UK spouse or partner before 5 years.
Conditions breach
You worked more hours than permitted, or did the wrong type of work.
Course ended early
A Student visa is curtailed if you complete or withdraw from your course.
False information
The Home Office believes you provided false documents or information.
Your rights after curtailment
What the curtailment notice leaves intact.
60 days notice
You are usually given 60 days to leave the UK or apply for another visa.
Right to challenge
You can challenge the curtailment through administrative review or appeal.
Switch options
You may be able to switch to a different visa category within 60 days.
Work rights
You can continue working, if you had permission, during the 60-day period.
Your options
Three routes, and they are not mutually exclusive.
Challenge the curtailment
If the curtailment was wrongful or based on incorrect facts, you may be able to challenge it through administrative review or by providing evidence to the Home Office.
Switch to a different visa
Apply for a different visa category within 60 days, for example finding a new sponsor for a Skilled Worker visa, or switching to a Graduate visa.
Exceptional circumstances
If you have compelling compassionate grounds, you may be able to apply for leave on human rights or exceptional circumstances grounds.
The time limits
- To leave the UK or submit a new application
- 60 days
- To challenge by administrative review
- 14 days
What happens if you do not act
The consequences of letting the 60 days pass.
- You become an overstayer, with a 10-year ban from UK immigration applications.
- You face enforcement action, including detention and removal.
- You lose the right to work and access to the NHS and other public services.
- Your prospects of returning to the UK, or of applying for visas to other countries, are harmed.
Get urgent specialist help
If a deadline applies, contact us straight away with the date on your decision letter. Wesbridge Associates is regulated at IAA Level 1 and does not provide this service. We can help you find a suitably authorised adviser.
Related
Other routes worth checking
Specialist signposting
Curtailment starts a 60-day clock
Curtailment can involve urgent higher-level work. We can signpost or refer you to an appropriately authorised specialist.