The Level 1 User is one of the key personnel for the purposes of your company's Sponsorship Management System (SMS). You must identify your Level 1 User, Key Contact, and Authorising Officer as part of your application for a sponsor licence. You must have at least one Level 1 User in place throughout the lifetime of your licence, but who can assume this role and what responsibilities will they have?
What is a Level 1 User?
Your Level 1 User is responsible for carrying out your day-to-day sponsorship activities using the SMS. They can perform the following actions:
Assign (and withdraw) Certificates of Sponsorship to Workers
Request an increase to your annual Certificate of Sponsorship limit
Request an increase in the number of Level 1 Users
Add or Remove Level 2 Users to the SMS
Report minor changes to your details
Report changes of circumstances
Report worker activity
View information about your licence and Key Personnel
Access key messages and updates from UKVI
Apply to renew your licence
Apply for premium customer service
What are the requirements to be a Level 1 User?
Your Level 1 User must be based in the UK for the duration of the role you appoint them to. They must be a paid member of staff, director or partner. They must not have any unspent criminal convictions and they cannot be legally prohibited from being a company director in the UK. Your Level 1 User should be familiar with the sponsorship process and relevant duties. You must also have at least one Level 1 User who is a settled worker.
Can I appoint a representative as a Level 1 User?
Yes. You can appoint a UK-based representative to be your Key Contact. However, they cannot be the only Level 1 User; you must always also have a Level 1 User who is employed by you and settled in the UK.
Can I change the Level 1 User? - SMS Key Personnel
Yes. If your Level 1 User is due to leave the company, or is no longer able to manage their responsibilities in this role, you must find a suitable alternative and appoint them on the SMS.
Can I have multiple Level 1 Users?
At the application for sponsor licence stage, you can only select one Level 1 User. However, after the grant of your licence, you are permitted to appoint additional Level 1 Users if they meet one of the following requirements:
They are a paid member of staff or office holder within your organisation
They are an employee of a third-party organisation engaged by you to deliver all or part of your HR funcition
They are a UK-based representative
Can my Level 1 User also hold other Key Personnel positions?
Your Level 1 User will have access to the SMS. They can assume multiple positions as part of your sponsor licence application, or at a later date following the grant of your licence, including Authorising Officer and Key Contact.
Contact us today if you are unsure of your SMS duties or have a query about any Key Personnel for your company's sponsor licence.