Search

How can we help?

Icon

Sponsor Management System (SMS): What is the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 User?

A lot of businesses who are considering applying for a sponsor licence or have recently been granted a sponsor licence may have heard the terms level 1 and level 2 user frequently, but what does each term mean?

Essentially a level 1 user carries out the day-to-day sponsorship activities using the SMS. Both level 1 and 2 users can administer the SMS and are usually HR personnel. Each level 1 and level 2 user will have their own log-in details which will enable them to access and manage the system. The main difference between a level 1 and 2 user is the level of accessibility granted. A level 2 user has far less permissions compared to a level 1 user.

Level 1 and 2 Users

A level 1 or 2 user must be one of the following:

  • Paid staff member or office holder within the organisation
  • An employee of a third-party organisation engaged by the organisation to deliver all or part of your HR function.
  • A UK-based representative

A level 1 or 2 user cannot be any of the following:

  • A contractor
  • A consultant who is contracted for a specific project
  • An undischarged bankrupt
  • A temporary staff member supplied to you by an employment agency (Only applicable to a Level 1 User)

Level 1 User

The Authorising Officer is usually a level 1 user to begin with as you can only assign this to one person when you first apply for a sponsor licence. However, additional level 1 users can be appointed via the SMS thereafter.

In essence, you can nominate as many level 1 users as you would like, however many businesses tend to limit this to two or three level 1 users. The reason for this is predominantly because the Authorising Officer has the overriding responsibility for their conduct. It is difficult to oversee level 1 activity on the SMS, if there are too many level 1 users. Nevertheless, it is recommended that there is more than one level 1 user, to ensure there is cover in the event a level 1 user is on leave or sick.

Does the level 1 user have to be a settled worker?

Usually at least one Level 1 user must be a settled worker, but there are certain exceptions:

  • if you are a diplomatic mission or international organisation licensed under the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) International Agreement subcategory
  • if your authorising officer is a person with valid leave as a:
  • Representative of an Overseas Business
  • Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) migrant
  • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant
  • Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) migrant
  • Start-up migrant
  • Innovator

Essentially a level 1 user carries out the day-to-day sponsorship activities using the SMS.

What can they action on the SMS?

LEVEL 1 FUNCTIONS LEVEL 2 FUNCTIONS
Request further Level 1 users and add Level 2 users to the SMS or remove them Assign CoS to a migrant
Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to migrants Report worker activity to UKVI
Request an increase in the number of CoS you can assign
Inform UKVI of any minor changes to details
Inform UKBI of any change of circumstances via SMS
Report worker activity to UKVI
Withdraw a CoS
Inform UKVI of any changes for work addresses
To use the bulk data transfer feature
Change user details
View information about licence and key personnel.
Access key messages that we post from time to time
Apply to renew licence and track progress of application
Apply for premium customer service and track progress of application
Apply for Tier 2 and/or 5 premium sponsor status and track the progress of application

Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full General Notices on our website.

Author profile

Monica Atwal

Managing Partner

View profile

+44 118 960 4605

About this article

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 19 September 2025
  • Employment

Sexual harassment risk assessment vital for reasonable steps defence

In October 2024, a new duty was placed on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

art
  • 15 September 2025
  • Immigration

Sharp rise in Sponsor Licence Revocations – What employers need to know

The Home Office has reported a record number of sponsor licence revocations over the past year, as part of its intensified efforts to crack down on abuse of the UK’s immigration system.

art
  • 10 September 2025
  • Commercial Real Estate

Trouble at the Table: The Challenges Facing the UK Hospitality Sector in the run up to Christmas 2025

The UK hospitality sector, long celebrated for its vibrancy and resilience, is facing a perfect storm of economic, operational, and structural challenges in 2025.

art
  • 09 September 2025
  • Commercial Real Estate

Le bail commercial anglais: quelques points essentiels à considérer

Typiquement, les baux commerciaux en Angleterre sont de court terme, d’une durée de 5 ou 10 ans, avec un loyer de marché et des ajustements du loyer périodiques en fonction de l’inflation ou d’autres facteurs. 

art
  • 09 September 2025
  • Corporate and M&A

The Failure to Prevent Fraud Offence – be prepared to avoid criminal liability

The failure to prevent fraud offence is a new corporate offence which has come into force on 1 September 2025.

art
  • 08 September 2025
  • Employment

Can employers still make changes to contracts after the Employment Rights Bill?

The short answer is yes but it will be much more difficult for employers following the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill because their ability to fairly dismiss employees who do not agree contractual changes is being restricted.