How to Use the Sponsor Management System as a UK Sponsor
If you’re a UK sponsor looking to use the Sponsor Management System (SMS) to manage and monitor your sponsored migrants, this article is for you! Here, we’ll provide a detailed guide on how to use the SMS so you can stay on top of your sponsorship responsibilities. We’ll cover everything from the initial registration process to key features and functions to keep you up to date with your sponsored migrants. So if you’re a UK sponsor ready to get started with the Sponsor Management System, keep reading!
What is the Sponsor Management System?
The Sponsor Management System (SMS) is a web-based platform developed by the UK Home Office to help sponsors manage their licence and employee details. The system is designed to help organisations comply with their sponsorship obligations.
Sponsors are required to ensure that their employees have the right to work in the UK, as well as provide evidence of their eligibility for the position. This can be a daunting task for sponsors, as it requires careful documentation and tracking. The SMS was created to make this process easier by providing a secure platform for managing employee details and records.
The SMS helps sponsors to:
• Monitor sponsored employees and ensure they are following their sponsor’s requirements
• Manage applications and documents related to sponsorship
• Verify sponsored employees’ right to work in the UK
• Track any changes to employee details
• Maintain records of sponsored employees
• Receive notifications when an employee’s status changes
The SMS also helps sponsors comply with the rules and regulations set out by the UK Home Office. It is an essential tool for UK sponsors, as it simplifies the process of managing employee information.
What Does the SMS do?
The Sponsor Management System (SMS) is an online portal designed to help UK sponsors manage their visa and immigration obligations. It’s a secure system used by sponsors, applicants and the Home Office to manage sponsorship and related information. The SMS allows sponsors to:
• Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a potential migrant employee
• Manage CoS allocations
• Monitor visa applications
• Track migrant employees
• Upload compliance documentation
• Submit reports and notifications
• Set up multiple users within the organisation
• View sponsorship related news and announcements
The Sponsor Management System helps organisations stay compliant with the UK immigration regulations, enabling them to remain on the approved list of sponsors. By using the SMS, sponsors can be assured that their migrants are staying within the terms of their visa, while also keeping track of their progress throughout their time in the UK.
How Do I Access the SMS?
If you are a UK sponsor looking to use the Sponsor Management System (SMS), the first step is to register for an account. You can do this by visiting the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website and clicking on ‘Register’ in the top right corner. From here, you can create a new account or log in with an existing one.
Once you have created an account, you will be prompted to complete a form which will enable you to access the SMS. This includes entering details such as your company name, registered address, contact number and email address. Once these have been provided, you will be asked to provide an answer to a security question. Upon completion of this form, you will then be granted access to the SMS.
Once logged in, you will be able to begin using the system. The homepage of the SMS gives a brief overview of what is available. This includes links to the different modules within the system, a list of recent activities and notifications from the UKVI. In addition, you can also view your licence status and any upcoming tasks that need to be completed.
By accessing the SMS, UK sponsors will be able to easily manage their sponsored workers and stay compliant with UKVI requirements. This system allows for easy communication with the UKVI and makes it easier to track progress and ensure compliance.
Navigating the SMS
The Sponsor Management System (SMS) is designed to make the process of sponsoring workers and carrying out immigration compliance obligations easier. It is an intuitive system that allows sponsors to quickly and easily access the information they need. In order to get the most out of the SMS, it is important to understand how to navigate its various sections.
The SMS can be accessed via the UK Visas and Immigration website. Once you have logged into your account, you will be directed to the Home page. Here you will find a list of available tasks such as creating a new application, checking the status of an existing application, and managing sponsored workers. You can also find the resources you need to fulfil your sponsorship duties, including guidance on complying with sponsor duties and on how to support migrants during their stay in the UK.
To manage sponsored workers, select the ‘Manage Sponsored Workers’ option from the Home page. This will take you to the ‘Sponsor Summary’ page, which provides an overview of your sponsorship activity. From here, you can view all your sponsored workers, check the status of each one, and view any actions you need to take. You can also add new sponsored workers and review their applications.
If you need to make any changes to an existing sponsored worker’s record, select the ‘Manage’ option next to their name on the Sponsor Summary page. This will take you to a page where you can update their details, as well as making changes to their immigration status or adding additional information.
You can also use the SMS to review and assess applications for potential new sponsored workers. To do this, select ‘Applications’ from the Home page. Here you will be presented with a list of pending applications and you can review each one before deciding whether or not to grant them sponsorship.
By following these steps, you can easily navigate the Sponsor Management System and make use of its many features. The SMS allows sponsors to easily manage their immigration compliance obligations and ensures that all sponsored workers meet the requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration.
Features of the Sponsor Management System
The Sponsor Management System (SMS) provides a range of features that can help UK sponsors to streamline their sponsorship processes, increase their efficiency, and ensure compliance with relevant UK regulations.
The SMS provides a range of features to help sponsors meet their obligations, including:
- Registration: Sponsors can create an SMS account and register as a sponsor by providing information about their business or organization.
- Issuing a certificate of sponsorship: Sponsors can use the SMS to issue a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) to a migrant and assign the appropriate number of points based on the migrant’s qualifications and experience.
- Managing leave to remain: Sponsors can use the SMS to manage their migrants’ leave to remain in the UK, including reporting any changes to the migrant’s circumstances.
- Paying the Immigration Skills Charge: Sponsors can use the SMS to pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), a fee that is used to fund training and education for UK workers.
- Viewing sponsorship duties: Sponsors can view their sponsorship duties and make sure that they are meeting all of their obligations as a sponsor.
- Storing and managing sponsorship information: Sponsors can use the SMS to store and manage all of their sponsorship information in one central location.
- Tracking migrant information: Sponsors can use the SMS to track the status of their migrants’ applications and view their contact and employment information.
- Reporting and compliance: Sponsors can use the SMS to report any changes to their business or organization and to comply with their sponsorship obligations.
- Support and guidance: The SMS provides support and guidance to sponsors to help them understand their obligations and comply with the points-based immigration system.
Which persons in an organisation can have access to and use the SMS?
In an organization, access to and use of the Sponsor Management System (SMS) is typically granted to key personnel who are responsible for managing sponsorship obligations. This may include HR managers, immigration managers, or other designated staff members who have been trained to use the SMS.
Only authorized personnel should have access to the SMS. Access to the SMS is granted through the creation of user accounts, which are linked to the sponsor’s organization. Each user account is assigned a unique email address and password, which the user must use to log in to the SMS.
Sponsors are responsible for managing user accounts and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the SMS. Sponsors can add, delete, or deactivate user accounts as needed to manage access to the SMS. It is important for sponsors to carefully manage user accounts to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive sponsorship information.