UK visa Sponsor Management System

The UK visa sponsor management system (SMS), is a tool available for employers who are seeking to remain in compliance with their responsibilities as an employer of foreign (non-UK, non-EEA, and non-Swiss) workers. The SMS management system is accessible via the official UK government website, at https://www.gov.uk/sponsor-management-system

Who can use the SMS Management System?

You can utilize the UK visa sponsor management system if you have a sponsor license as one of the following:

• An education provider for students on a Student visa or a Child Student visa (such as those on UK visa for students)
• A UK employer of a worker on a Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa

What is the SMS used for?

The SMS management system can be accessed for the following purposes:

• Oversee and monitor your business’s services or license
• Generate and allocate sponsorship certificates to potential Tier 2 or Tier 5 employees
•  Generate and allocate “Conformations of Acceptance for Studies” (CAS) to potential students (including those on a student visa for England)
• Inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of important changes to your particular professional circumstances, including change of ownership or change of address.
• Inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of important changes regarding your sponsored workers and students, such as sponsorship withdrawal

UK visa for students

Please note, the UK visa sponsor management system is not available for use re a student visa for England and cannot be used to check the status of a general UK visa for students. If you are the sponsor of a foreigner who is in the UK on a type of UK visa for students, you may be receive access to the SMS system in order to access your CAS, which is an electronic “tag” you must assign to any student you are trying to sponsor

UK Student Visa requirements

Please note, there are no UK Student visa requirements (i.e. UK visa for students) related to the SMS

More UK Immigration Info

For more information on UK immigration, such as how to obtain a UK visa for students (student visa for England), UK Student visa requirements, and for additional immigration advice, please click here.