Enquire today: 0207 836 8505
  • UK Business Immigration
    • Employing Overseas Workers
      • Skilled Worker Licence
      • Certificate of Sponsorship UK
      • Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Renewal
      • Global Business Mobility Licence
    • Which UK Business Visa is right for you?
      • UK Skilled Worker Visa Application
      • Sole Representative Visa
      • The UK Innovator Visa
      • The Global Talent Visa UK
    • Assurance
      • Sponsor Licence Compliance Audit
  • Personal Immigration
    • UK Visa Services
      • Spouse Visa UK
      • UK Ancestry Visa
    • Settlement
      • Indefinite Leave to Remain
    • Nationality
      • Naturalisation
  • About Us
  • News
  • Contact Us
Enquire today: 0207 836 8505
  • UK Business Immigration
    • Employing Overseas Workers
      • Skilled Worker Licence
      • Certificate of Sponsorship UK
      • Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Renewal
      • Global Business Mobility Licence
    • Which UK Business Visa is right for you?
      • UK Skilled Worker Visa Application
      • Sole Representative Visa
      • The UK Innovator Visa
      • The Global Talent Visa UK
    • Assurance
      • Sponsor Licence Compliance Audit
  • Personal Immigration
    • UK Visa Services
      • Spouse Visa UK
      • UK Ancestry Visa
    • Settlement
      • Indefinite Leave to Remain
    • Nationality
      • Naturalisation
  • About Us
  • News
  • Contact Us
Explore
Sponsor management system

Inheriting Responsibility of the Sponsor Management System

Jul 05, 2018

Inheriting Responsibility of the Sponsor Management System (SMS)

If you have recently been appointed a Human Resource Manager or you are inheriting responsibility of the immigration department of your firm, here are some useful tips to get you started on the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

The Sponsor Management System gives the Sponsor (company you work for)  the ability to provide the Home Office with regular updates regarding key contact details, and  Tier 2 sponsored migrants.  This is also where applications for Certificates of Sponsorship are managed.

Top 3 tips for understanding the Sponsor Management System you have just inherited:

  1. You must login to gain access to the SMS. The Level 1 user should have a unique ID (a jumble of letters and numbers that the Home Office assign) along with a password.
  2. Once you are in the system check that the Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User are up to date on the licence. Look on the Licence Summary tab in order to check the names are up to date: if anyone is listed on this page that no longer works for the company, updating this should be a first priority.
  3. There is no list of the migrants you currently sponsor on the system. You will need a list of employees you believe you sponsor under Tier 2. You can check the details of these employees using their surname and passport number or date of birth. On the SMS this information is held under the workers tab, then View CoS tab, then Search for CoS. Salary and job title for the employee should be accurate.

The following is an explanation of the key roles on a Sponsor Management System, all of which are specified when a business applies for the licence. The names need to be updated if these people cease working for the company:

  1. Authorising Officer: has ultimate responsibility with the Home Office for staying compliant with the immigration rules. The Authorising Officer must be the most senior person responsible for the recruitment of all migrant workers and be a paid member of staff.
  2. Key Contact: will be contacted by the Home Office regarding the licence application and any documentation. The Key Contact must be a paid member of staff.
  3. Level 1 User: Level 1 Users can manage the Certificates of Sponsorship on your licence, and update work addresses etc. They are essentially the HR of the Sponsor Management System.

On occasion and depending on which one of the Key Personnel you have been appointed as. The Home Office will send reminder emails, some of which are set out below:

  1. Applications for certificates of sponsorship in the un-restricted category. Applications must be receive by 05 April for the next financial year. The Authorising Officer on the licence receives reminders about the deadline for the applications in the new year. These applications are free of charge.
  2. Licence renewal: Three months before the end of your licence the Home Office remind you that you will need to renew in order to continue to sponsor any employee holding a visa to work.

Taking over the responsibility of the Sponsor Management System can be a daunting task. It is advisable to get initial advice from a regulated Advisor or Solicitor so you understand fully the responsibilities set out by the UKVI.

We pride ourselves on our reliability.

We are accredited by the following professional bodies:

  • London Office

    Hudson House, 8 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7PP

  • 0207 836 8505
  • Somerset Office

    2nd and 3rd Floors, Northgate House, Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG

  • 01225 256 800
  • contact@visa-office.com

How can we help?

  • About Us
  • UK Business Immigration
  • Personal Immigration
  • UK Immigration News

Useful Information

  • Contact Us – 020 7836 8505
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions – UK Immigration Advisers

Follow our journey

© 2023 The Visa Office | Registered in England address: 7-9 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YA | Registered in England 04011191 | OISC Regulation number: F200400098

Modal Test

Just testing the modal plugin. Integer tincidunt. Cras dapibus. Vivamus elementum semper nisi. Aenean vulputate eleifend tellus. Aenean leo ligula, porttitor eu, consequat vitae, eleifend ac, enim.