Guidance

SMS guide 2: manage your sponsorship licence (accessible)

Updated 10 July 2024

Additional SMS manuals

There are 12 SMS user manuals available, plus a supplementary policy guide for completing a CAS. The guides are grouped into three categories: common, CAS and CoS. The table below describes the purpose and audience of each manual.

You should read all manuals applicable to your licence before contacting the relevant helpdesk.

Manual reference	Manual title	Type	Purpose	Audience
Manual 1	Introduction to SMS	Common	Use this manual to log into SMS, change your password, manage SMS users and view important messages posted by the Home Office. In addition, this manual explains who should use SMS and for what purpose. The manual features a full introduction to SMS as well as a comprehensive troubleshooting section.	All sponsors
Manual 2	Managing your licence	Common	To help sponsors manage their key personnel, change their licence details, manage PAYE references, and apply for allocations of CoS/CAS.	All sponsors
Manual 3	Apply for Premium customer service, Basic Compliance Assessment and manage Action plans	Common	To help sponsors apply for Premium customer service, Basic Compliance Assessment and manage action plans.	All sponsors
Manual 4	Creating and assigning CAS	CAS	To help sponsors create and assign individual and batches of CAS.	Sponsors licensed in the Student Route
Manual 4a	Creating a CAS – guide for education sponsors	CAS	This manual contains supplementary information on completing a CAS. Use this guide to determine what information is necessary in each field of the CAS.	Sponsors licensed in the Student Route
Manual 5	Reporting student activity	CAS	To help sponsors report student activity, for example if a student’s circumstances change or submitting a graduate notification. This manual also contains help with reporting fee updates and adding sponsor notes to CAS that have already been assigned.	Sponsors licensed in the Student Route
Manual 6	Miscellaneous CAS functions	CAS	To help sponsors complete all other functions of CAS, such as managing batches of CAS, managing pre-stored addresses for use when creating CAS, transferring ownership of CAS, printing CAS and exporting CAS.	Sponsors licensed in the Student Route
Manual 7	Bulk Data Transfer of CAS	CAS	To help sponsors use the bulk data transfer (BDT) functions of SMS, including graduate notifications. You must have a bespoke IT system in place to use BDT.	Sponsors licensed in the Student Route
Manual 8	Creating and assigning CoS	CoS	To help sponsors create and assign individual and batches of CoS.	Sponsors licensed in any Worker or Temporary Worker route
Manual 9	Reporting worker activity	CoS	To help sponsors report worker activity, for example if a worker’s circumstances change. This manual also contains help with adding sponsor notes to CoS that have already been assigned.	Sponsors licensed in any Worker or Temporary Worker route
Manual 10	Miscellaneous CoS functions	CoS	To help sponsors complete all other functions of CoS, such as managing batches of CoS, managing pre-stored addresses for use when creating CoS, transferring ownership of CoS, and printing CoS.	Sponsors licensed in any Worker or Temporary Worker route
Manual 11	Temporary Work – Creative Worker Group of CoS	CoS	To help sponsors create and manage groups of CoS. Groups of CoS are only available to sponsors licensed in Temporary Work - Creative Worker	Sponsors licensed in the Temporary Work - Creative Work Route
Manual 12	Defined CoS	CoS	To help sponsors apply for defined CoS, track applications for defined CoS and once granted, create defined CoS.	Sponsors licensed in Skilled Worker

Glossary

Term	Meaning
SMS	Sponsorship Management System
CoS	Certificate of Sponsorship
CAS	Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
AO	Authorising Officer
KC	Key Contact
BDT	Bulk Data Transfer
SELT	Secure English Language Test
.XML	Extensible Mark-up Language
.PDF	Portable Document Format
Automation	On 6 April 2014 we introduced new functionality in SMS to automatically renew CoS allocations and to apply changes to your address, or that of your AO and KC. We will write to you if you meet the criteria and automation has been set.

Guide 1: How to replace your AO or KC

Follow the step by step instructions to replace your AO or KC.

Sponsors registered in the GBM UK Expansion Worker route do not have access to these functions if the licence is rated as ‘provisional’. Provisional-rated sponsors should use the function detailed in Guide 4 of this manual to notify us of changes to key personnel.

You must only use the function to replace an AO or KC if the AO or KC role is to be assumed by a different person. If you want to amend your current AO or KC details you must use the Amend your current Authorising Officer’s details or Amend your current Key Contact’s details function.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before replacing your AO or KC.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request changes to licence details.
2	From the Request changes to licence details screen, select Replace your Authorising Officer or Replace your Key Contact.
Note	If your new AO will also be your KC, you will only need to complete one request. If this is the case, you can use either the Replace your Authorising Officer or Replace your Key Contact function.
3	From the Replace your Authorising Officer or Nominate a new Key Contact screen (depending on the function selected) complete all mandatory fields, then select Next.
Note	If your AO is the same person as your KC, tick the box at the top of the screen. This will mean that you will not have to send separate requests to amend the details for each of these roles. The Address required is the work address, not the person’s home address.
4	From the Request change of circumstances declaration screen, complete the date, your name, your position in the organisation and tick the declaration box. When complete, select Submit.
5	Replacing KC: From the Submission successful screen, make a note of your change request number, then select Home from the main menu to continue.
6	Replacing AO: From the Submission successful screen, select Submission sheet.
7	Replacing AO: The submission sheet must be completed and sent together with all required supporting evidence to the stated email address.

Guide 2: How to amend details of your current AO or KC

Follow the step by step instructions to amend the details of your current AO or KC.

Sponsors registered in the GBM UK Expansion Worker route do not have access to these functions if the licence is rated as ‘provisional’. Provisional-rated sponsors should use the function detailed in Guide 4 of this manual to notify us of changes to key personnel.

On 6 April 2014 we introduced new functionality in SMS to automatically apply changes to the address of your existing AO and KC. If you meet the criteria, changes will be applied immediately and the new details will be instantly visible on SMS.

You must only use these functions to amend the details of your current AO or KC. If you wish to replace your current AO or KC you must use the Replace your Authorising Officer or Replace your Key Contact function.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before amending details of your AO or KC.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request changes to licence details.
2	From the Request changes to licence details screen, select Amend your current Authorising Officer’s details or Amend your current Key Contact’s details, as required.
Note	If your AO is also your KC, you will only need to complete one request. In this case, you can use either the Amend your current Authorising officer’s details or Amend your current Key Contact’s details function.
3	From the Amend your current Authorising Officer’s details screen, only complete the fields where details have changed. When complete, select Next. For example, if the telephone number has changed, only complete that field. If any part of the address has changed, you will need to complete all the address fields including city or town, county and postcode.
Note	If your AO is the same person as your KC, tick the box at the top of the screen, as indicated above. This means that you will not have to send separate requests to amend the details for each of these roles. Furthermore, the Address required is the work address, not the person’s home address. As a security measure, you will not be allowed to change the family name and date of birth in the same request, as this indicates a different person is assuming the role. If you wish to do this, you should use the Replace Authorising Officer or Replace Key Contact function.
4	From the Request change of circumstances declaration screen, complete the date, your name, your position in the organisation and tick the declaration box. When complete, select Submit.
5	The Submission successful screen will now be displayed. Select Home from the main menu to continue.
Note	To determine if the change has been applied instantly, you should check the View recent and outstanding change requests screen. If the request has been automatically applied, the status ‘Accepted’ will be displayed. If the status is ‘Pending’ the change has not been applied automatically.

Guide 3: How to amend your details

Follow the step by step instructions to amend your details.

On 6 April 2014 we introduced new functionality in SMS to automatically apply changes to the address of your organisation. If you meet the criteria, changes will be applied immediately and the new details will be instantly visible on SMS.

This function can be used to notify us of changes to your details, such as changes to your address and/or organisation name.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before amending your licence details.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request changes to licence details.
2	From the Request changes to licence details screen, select Amend your organisation details.
3	From the Amend your organisation details screen, select the relevant reason from the Reason for change drop-down and provide details of the change in the text box. Your current organisation details, which appear on your sponsor licence, are pre-populated on this screen. Make the necessary changes to your organisation details, then select Next.
Note	The change will only be automatically applied if we have already written to you to confirm this and you choose an acceptable reason from the Reason for change drop-down menu. Acceptable reasons are as follows: Rebranding / Office or branch closed / Downsized business premises / Expanded business premises / Lease expired / Royal Mail postcode changes / Moved to new premises
4	From the Request change of circumstances declaration screen, complete the date, your name, your position in the organisation and tick the declaration box. When complete, select Submit.
5	The changes have been submitted and if applied automatically, can be viewed on the Licence summary screen. IMPORTANT: In all circumstances the submission sheet must be submitted to us for review. Select Submission sheet.
Note	1. Changes to telephone number, email, web address are applied automatically for every sponsor. 2. If you are set to receive automated changes to your address and an appropriate reason for the change was selected, changes to the address are also applied automatically, but we will also review the changes and you must send us a completed submission sheet with any required evidence.
6	The submission sheet must be completed and sent together with all required supporting evidence to the stated email address.

Guide 4: How to request other changes to your details

Follow the step by step instructions to request others changes (not listed in the guide above) to your details.

You should use this function to surrender your whole licence or in specific routes. You can also use this function for other changes to your licence including:

• changes which result in you coming under new ownership;
• appointing, removing or amending a representative;
• adding or removing a branch, site, linked entity, partner intuition, or contract.
• changes to registration status or body;
• changes to inspection status or body, sporting body endorsement renewal;
• changes to key personnel if you are registered in the GBM UK Expansion Worker route with a licence rated ‘provisional’;
• notify us that your AO is in the UK (GBM UK Expansion Worker only); or,
• any other change not listed above.

This function must only be used to request changes that cannot be notified using the Amend your licence details, Amend your current Authorising Officer, Amend you current Key Contact, Replace your Key Contact and Replace your Authorising Officer functions.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before surrendering your licence or requesting other changes to your details.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request changes to licence details.
2	From the Request changes to licence details screen, select Request any other change to your licence details.
3	From the Request change of circumstances screen, select the appropriate reason for change from the Select reason for change drop-down list. In the Change details (2000 character limit) field, provide full details of the request, then select Next.
Note	You must only notify us of one change per change request. If you want to report multiple changes, you must submit a separate request for each change.
4	From the Request change of circumstance declaration screen, complete the date, your name, your position in the organisation and tick the declaration box. When complete, select Submit.
5	The Submission successful screen, select Submission sheet.
6	The submission sheet must be completed and sent together with all required supporting evidence to the stated email address.

Guide 5: How to view and withdraw recent and outstanding requests

Follow the step by step instructions to view and withdraw a change of circumstances request.

Change requests can only be submitted, viewed and withdrawn by Level 1 users. Any Level 1 user can view and withdraw a request submitted by any other Level 1 user.

The withdraw option is only available up to the point at which we start considering your change request. Once we have started considering your request, this option is no longer available. Also, the withdraw function does not apply to changes that take effect automatically. If these changes are no longer necessary, a new application for change must be submitted to reverse the original change.

Change of circumstances requests that can be withdrawn (subject to the above conditions) are:

• replace your AO;
• amend your current AO’s details;
• replace your KC;
• amend your current KC’s details;
• amend your organisation details; and
• request any other change to your licence details.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request changes to licence details.
2	From the Request changes to licence details screen, select View recent and outstanding change requests.
Note	The View recent and outstanding change requests menu item is not visible if you have not submitted any requests for changes of circumstances in the last three months.
3	The Recent and outstanding change requests screen shows requests submitted within the last three months (up to a maximum of 50 items). Definitions of the different statuses that can apply are given below. If you wish to withdraw a change of circumstances request that you have submitted recently, choose Withdraw.
Note	Definitions: Pending: the request has been submitted to us but consideration has not yet begun; this request therefore can be withdrawn. Progress: we have begun to consider your change request; this request therefore cannot be withdrawn. Accepted: this request has been considered and approved by us, or applied automatically; amended details will be displayed in the Licence summary screen (where applicable). Refused: this request has been considered but refused, for example where a signed submission sheet has not been received as required. Withdrawn: you have withdrawn the change request before we have begun consideration.
4	From the Withdraw change of circumstances request confirmation screen, choose Withdraw to complete the process. If you do not wish to withdraw the request, select Cancel.
5	From the Recent and outstanding change requests screen, you can see that the request has been withdrawn and the Withdrawing user is displayed.

Guide 6: How to view your licence summary

Follow the step by step instructions to view the Licence summary which displays your CoS/CAS allocation, key licence dates and licence details. The Licence summary screen can only be viewed by a Level 1 user.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before viewing your licence details and CAS/CoS allocation.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Licence summary.
2	The Licence summary is displayed. Organisation name: this is your name, as it appears on the published register of licensed sponsors. Organisation address: this is your address and phone number. Head Office or registered / trading name (if applicable): this is your Head Office’s name, if different from the organisation name. Head Office or registered / trading address (if applicable): this is your Head Office’s address and phone number, if different from the organisation address. If any of these details are incorrect, you must submit a request to change it using the Amend your organisation details function.
3	Sponsor licence number: this is your unique licence number, which cannot be amended. You should quote this number every time you communicate with us. No. of employees: this is the number of employees that you have told us are currently working in your organisation, as stated in your original licence application, unless changed by you. Business sector: this is the sector in which you operate. If the business sector or size or your organisation is incorrect, you should submit a request using the Request any other change to your sponsor details function. Authorising officer: these are the details of your nominated AO. If any of these details are incorrect, you must submit a request using the Amend your current Authorising Officer’s details function. If your Authorising officer has left, or you wish to appoint a new Authorising officer, you should use the Replace your Authorising Officer details function.
4	Key contact: these are the details of your nominated KC. If any of these details are incorrect, you must submit a request using the Amend your current Key Contact details function. If your KC has left or you wish to appoint a new KC, you should use the Replace your Key Contact function. Representative: If you have appointed a representative, their details will be displayed here. If any of these details are incorrect, or you wish to remove or appoint a new representative, you should submit a request using the Request any other change to your licence details function. If you have appointed more than one representative, you will only be able to view the first representative you appointed on this screen. Licence key dates: displayed here are your licence start and end dates, as well as your licence renewal period opening date; take note of this date, as it is the date from which you can first apply to renew your licence. The licence end date is the last date on which you can apply to renew your licence before it expires.
5	Basic Compliance Assessment key dates: displayed here are your Student Sponsor status start and end dates, as well as your Student Sponsor status renewal opening date; take note of this date as it is the date from which you can first apply to renew your Student Sponsor status. The Student Sponsor status end date is the last date on which you can apply to renew your status before it expires. Premium customer service key dates: displayed here is your Premium customer service start and end dates, as well as your Premium renewal opening date; take note of this date as it is the date from which you can first apply to renew your Premium customer service. The customer service end date is the last date on which you can apply to renew your customer service before it expires.
Note	The remainder of the page shows your allocations by route. Under each route you can see your limit of CAS/CoS, how many you have assigned since the allocation year began, how many CAS/CoS you have left to assign for the allocation year, the expiry date of the allocation year and your rating for each route. Unless automated, you can apply to renew your annual allocation of CAS/CoS up to three months before the allocation expiry date, or after that date. See Guides 7 & 8 below for instruction on how to apply for annual allocations and in-year allocations.

Guide 7: How to request and withdraw a request for a CoS/CAS allocation increase

Follow the step by step instructions to request an increase in your allocation of CoS and/or CAS during an allocation year, and to withdraw a request. This action can performed at any point during the allocation year.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before requesting additional CoS and CAS or withdrawing a request.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request CoS/CAS allocation increase.
2	From the Request additional CoS or CAS screen, select Add a request next to the route in which you wish to increase the allocation.
Note	If you are unable to add a request, your current allocation could have expired and you may need to renew it. Select Cancel, then from Licence summary, applications and services menu, select Request renewal of annual CoS/CAS allocations. You can request increases to more than one of your allocations on the same request. This function can be used as many times as required during the allocation year.
3	From the Request additional CoS or CAS screen, enter the number of CoS or CAS you require and provide full reasons for this request. Once you have completed all details, select Save. The reasons for the request must be explained in full.
4	You are returned to the Request additional CoS or CAS screen. If required, repeat the above process to request an increase in another route. If you need to amend the number of certificates requested or the reasons you gave, select Edit next to the request you wish to amend. If you have no further changes, select Submit to confirm your request(s).
Note	You can only edit a request before it has been submitted. If your request has been submitted, you can only withdraw the request, not edit it.
5	Your request(s) has been submitted. Select OK to return to the Request additional CoS or CAS screen.
6	Withdraw: If you wish to withdraw a request, select Withdraw next to the applicable request. You can only withdraw a request when the request has been submitted and is still outstanding. The withdrawal will not be completed until you confirm the action.
7	From the Withdraw request for additional CoS or CAS screen, select Confirm withdrawal. From the Request additional CoS or CAS screen you can now see that the request has been withdrawn and will not be considered.

Guide 8: How to request a renewal of annual allocation

Follow the step by step instructions to request a renewal of your annual allocation of CoS or CAS.

On 6 April 2014 we introduced new functionality in SMS to automatically create an annual allocation of CoS based on the number of CoS you assigned in the preceding 12 months. We will write to you if you meet the criteria and automation has been granted.

If you are set to receive automated annual allocations, you will not be required to submit a renewal request. To determine if you are due to receive an automated annual allocation, see Step 2 below.

You should read the Sponsorship policy guidance before requesting renewal of an annual allocation of CoS or CAS.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Request renewal of annual CoS/CAS allocations.
2	From the Request renewal of annual allocation screen you will be able to see if allocations are due to be renewed automatically in the ‘Outstanding annual allocation requests’ grid. Three months prior to the expiry of your allocation, Automatic renewal will be displayed in the ‘Number of CAS or CoS requested’ column. The number you will receive will be equal to the number of CoS you assigned in the 12 month period before the new allocation is automatically created. The automated allocation will be available when the allocation year begins for that particular route (the day after the expiry date). If you have received an email from us reminding you to apply, you must submit a manual application by selecting Add a request next to the route in which you wish to request a renewal, as indicated.
Note	You can apply to renew allocations up to three months before their expiry date, or within the renewal period for any other routes you are licensed in. If you do not renew your allocation before its expiry date, the allocation will expire. You can apply to renew your allocation after it has expired but you will not be able to assign CAS/CoS until your request has been considered and granted by us.
3	From the Request annual allocation renewal screen, enter the number of CoS or CAS you wish to request and the reason why they are required. When complete, select Save. The reasons for the request must be explained in full.
4	You are returned to the Request renewal of annual allocation screen. Repeat the above process to request to renew your allocation in another route. If you need to amend the number of certificates requested or the reasons you gave, select Edit next to the request you wish to amend. If you have no further changes, select Submit to send your requests.
5	Your request has been submitted. Select OK to return to the Request renewal of annual allocation screen.
6	From the Request renewal of annual allocation screen you can see that the request has been submitted from the ‘Outstanding annual allocation requests’ grid.

Guide 9: Adding PAYE references (Worker and Temporary Worker sponsors only)

From the 1st of December 2020 PAYE information must be provided on CoS assigned in Skilled Worker and Intra-company Routes.

Follow the step by step instructions to add a PAYE reference number to your licence. When added to a licence, PAYE reference numbers are available to select when creating a CoS in a route where PAYE details must be provided.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select PAYE References
2	On the Manage PAYE references screen you will be able to view any PAYE reference numbers already added to the licence, the date when each reference was added, the level 1 user ID of the SMS user who added each PAYE reference, and the name of the SMS user who added each PAY reference. Select Add to add a new PAYE reference to your licence.
3	From the Add PAYE Reference screen, enter a valid PAYE reference number. When complete, select Add to save. Select Back to return to the previous screen without saving.
4	You are returned to the Manage PAYE reference screen. Repeat the above process to add another PAYE reference.

Guide 10: Deleting PAYE references (Worker and Temporary Worker sponsors only)

From the 1st of December 2020 PAYE information must be provided on CoS assigned in Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility Routes.

Follow the step by step instructions to delete a PAYE reference number to your licence. When deleted from a licence, PAYE reference numbers are not available to select when creating a CoS in a route where PAYE details must be provided.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select PAYE References
2	On the Manage PAYE references screen you will be able to view any PAYE reference numbers already added to the licence, the date when each reference was added, the level 1 user ID of the SMS user who added each PAYE reference, and the name of the SMS user who added each PAY reference. Select Delete next to the PAYE reference you wish to delete from your licence.
3	From the Confirm Deletion of PAYE Reference screen, select Delete to confirm deletion of the selected PAYE reference number. Select Back to return to the previous screen without deleting.
4	You are returned to the Manage PAYE reference screen. Repeat the above process to delete another PAYE reference.

Guide 11: Viewing details of overseas linked entities and contracts (Global Business Mobility sponsors only)

From the 11th of April 2022 organisations applying for a sponsor licence in any Global Business Mobility (GBM) route must supply details of overseas linked entities (OSE).

In addition, from this date organisations applying for a sponsor licence in the GBM Service Supplier and/or GBM Secondment Worker routes must supply details of contracts. Contract details must be provided when a CoS is assigned in either of these routes.

Follow the step by step instructions to view details of overseas linked entities and contracts associated with your licence.

See Guide 4 of this manual for information of how to request changes to OSE and contract details.

Step	Instruction
1	From the Licence summary, applications and services screen, select Overseas Linked Entities
2	On the View overseas linked entities and contracts screen you can view summary details of any OSEs and contracts recorded on the licence. The name and type of each OSE is displayed. The name, linked OSE, and effective dates of each contract is displayed. Select View next to the OSE or contract you wish to view.
3(i)	On the Overseas linked entity screen you can view the following details: OSE name, Physical address, Web address, Email address, Telephone number, Company registration number, Business activity / sector, Trading from date. The name, linked OSE, and effective dates of each contract is displayed. Select View next to the OSE or contract you wish to view.
3(ii)	On the View service supplier contract screen you can view the following details: Name of linked OSE, Contract name, Contract purpose, Contract effect from / to dates, Related trade agreement, Applicable sector.
3(iii)	On the View secondment contract screen you can view the following details: Name of linked OSE, Contract name, Contract purpose, Contract effect from / to dates, Contract value (in GBP), Contract value reason.