The Home Office Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is an online portal for Tier 2 and Tier 5 employers and Tier 4 educators. Amongst other things, it allows the sponsors to manage the certificates of sponsorship (“CoS”) for Tier 2 and 5 workers and confirmation of acceptance of studies (“CAS”) for Tier 4 students. Only appointed Level 1 or 2 users can access the Sponsorship Management System to use any of the functions in the system. Misuse of SMS user IDs may lead to action being taken against the sponsor. Our business immigration solicitors in London specialise in sponsor licence applications and are familiar with the Home Office Sponsorship Management System. We offer a wide range of services and would be happy to assist and advice in regard to the Sponsorship Management System in order for sponsors to avoid being in breach of the strict SMS guidelines.
What is the Home Office Sponsorship Management System for employers?
The Sponsorship Management System allows Tier 2 and Tier 5 employers to fulfil their sponsorship duties. Only the level 1 and 2 users will have access to the SMS. Some of these duties that can be carried out via the SMS portal include:
- Changing details of the organisation such as the business address, name, details of existing key personnel i.e. adding new level 1 and 2 users;
- View the sponsor licence renewal date;
- View all CoS which have been assigned to migrant workers;
- Increase the number of CoS that can be assigned;
- Withdraw a CoS; and
- Report a worker’s activities in accordance with their sponsorship duties.
All new CoS must also be assigned to a migrant worker via the Sponsorship Management System. Details on the CoS include the migrant’s details (passport number, date of birth, nationality etc) and job details (job role, salary, start and end dates etc).
What is the Home Office Sponsorship Management System for educators?
As with Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsors, Tier 4 sponsors must also use the Sponsorship Management System to fulfil their duties. The Sponsorship Management System also has a message board where the Home Office post useful messages from time to time. It is important that sponsors access the Sponsorship Management System on a regular basis to review and update the sponsor licence details. The Home Office recommends that the Level 1 user accesses the SMS account at least on a monthly basis.
When an application for a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence is made, educators must give the Home Office an estimate of the number of CAS they would like to assign in each Tier 4 category in the first year of the Tier 4 licence. CAS allocations can be made up to 50% of the current student population. Once an educator has been granted a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence, the Home Office will add the CAS allocation to the educator’s Sponsorship Management System account. They will then have 12 months from the beginning of the Tier 4 sponsor licence to assign the CAS. After that time, any unassigned CAS will expire. The sponsor may not apply for additional CAS during this period.
Can I get assistance with the Home Office Sponsorship Management System?
There are many helpful guides published by the Home Office in order to assist employers and educators with using the Sponsorship Management System. There is also a Business Helpdesk and Educators Helpdesk which can be reached by sponsors via telephone and email. If the employer or educator needs to update any of their key personnel for example appointing a new level 1 user, then the Home Office should also be updated in this way.
Please note that the Business Helpline is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, emails can be sent for assistance. The aforementioned published guidance may also assist with queries. Our immigration solicitors in London specialise in sponsor licence and points-based system applications and have the knowledge and experience to advise. Therefore, if you are a business or educator and have any queries regarding the Home Office Sponsorship Management System or sponsoring a migrant worker or student, then please contact our team today to arrange a consultation.
Can I still see an Immigration Lawyer for Home Office Sponsorship Management System guidance given the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic?
Yes. We are a technologically advanced law firm and are well equipped for the current situation and have the resources and infrastructure to support you with any UK immigration issue.
We are actively monitoring and responding to the COVID-19 situation and will continue to follow advice and guidance issued by the UK Government, Public Health England and the NHS.
The well-being of our team and our clients is our priority. We are following the advice to maintain social distancing, therefore we will hold all meetings with clients via video conferencing or via our telephone conferencing facilities for the foreseeable future.
Please contact our Immigration Team to arrange a consultation with us so we can assess your case in more detail and give you advice specific to your individual circumstances.
Using our Immigration Solicitors in London to use the Home Office Sponsorship Management System
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to allocate a CoS or CAS through the Sponsorship Management System.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided.
This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your sponsor licence application meets the Immigration Rules and requirements.
Successfully use the Home Office Sponsorship Management System with our Immigration Solicitors in London
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.