LS Legal News Bulletin
Sponsor Licence: New Requirement for SMS Level 1 Users
Friday 15th September 2023
The Home Office has implemented a significant change in its Sponsorship Management System (SMS) that affects Level 1 users. This update, introduced on 19th June 2023, now mandates Level 1 users to provide their National Insurance number (NINO) or a valid reason for exemption when making any amendments to their details within the SMS.
It is essential to understand who qualifies as a Level 1 user in the sponsor licence context. When organisations apply for a sponsor licence, they are required to nominate specific individuals for key roles and responsibilities related to the ongoing management of the licence. These individuals, known as "key personnel," have four roles:
- Authorising Officer: This person assumes overall responsibility for the sponsor licence, ensuring all sponsor duties are met.
- Key Contact: The Key Contact acts as the primary liaison between the sponsor and the Home Office.
- Level 1 User: Level 1 users handle day-to-day sponsorship activities using SMS.
- Level 2 User: These users have fewer permissions than Level 1 users.
If you provide your NINO and no other changes require manual intervention, the update will be immediately applied.
If you indicate that you do not have a NINO and provide exemption details, a request will be generated and subject to casework consideration before implementation.
To stay compliant and ensure their records are kept up to date, sponsors are strongly advised to regularly log into the SMS and check for any messages or updates from the Home Office. Level 1 users should access their SMS accounts at least once a month.
For assistance regarding SMS updates and sponsorship management, feel free to contact our legal team. We are here to support you throughout the process.
