Date updated: Monday 14th March 2022

Employers that wish to sponsor overseas nationals to work in the UK must hold a sponsorship licence. The Sponsor Management System (SMS) is the online system which licenced sponsors use to meet their sponsorship duties in line with Home Office guidance.

As a licenced sponsor, Key Personnel operate your SMS. They each play defined and vital roles in the management of your sponsorship licence. They include:

  • Authorising Officer (AO)
  • Key Contact (KC)
  • Level 1 User
  • Level 2 User

For organisations who sponsor overseas workers, the Key Contact (KC) is the main point of contact with the Home Office. The Home Office will liaise directly with the KC if they have any queries about your licence application, the evidence relied upon, or the payment made. If a licence is granted, the KC will continue to be the main point of contact. The Authorising Officer is also copied into any communication.

The KC does not automatically have access to the SMS. Therefore, if the KC requires access to the system they must also be set up as a Level 1 or Level 2 User.

There is only one KC on a sponsors SMS.

As with the AO, there are a number of requirements that an individual must meet in order to be appointed a KC. For example, the KC must be based in the UK and must not have any unspent criminal convictions.

However, unlike the AO, a legal representative is able to fill the role of KC on a sponsors SMS. A representative can be appointed as a KC at the licence application stage, or once the licence is granted.

The KC is an essential role for all sponsorship licence holders. It is essential that there is a KC in place throughout the period which they hold a licence, otherwise the sponsor will be non-compliant and risk their licence. The Home Office can take action against sponsors for non-compliance, such as downgrading or revoking a licence. It is therefore vital to report any change in the KC.

If you require any assistance with sponsorship, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Immigration, Julie Moktadir at JulieMoktadir@stoneking.co.uk.