Free Guide
New Sponsor Onboarding Pack
Everything you need to know in your first 90 days as a UK sponsor. No fluff - just the actions that protect your licence.
The most common reason for licence suspension in year 1
Missing SMS reports. Most new sponsors don't know every salary change, role change and worker departure must be logged in SMS within 10 working days. This guide covers all of them.
30 / 60 / 90 Day Checklist
Follow this timeline to build a compliant sponsorship operation from day one.
First 30 Days
Receive your sponsor licence approval letter from UKVI
Log in to the Sponsor Management System (SMS) and save your credentials securely
Assign your Authorising Officer (AO), Key Contact and Level 1 User in SMS
Read your Sponsor Licence Conditions and A-rating obligations
Set up a Right to Work checking process (manual or share code)
Create an HR file template with all Appendix D documents
Assign internal responsibility for SMS reporting
Attend AuditShield onboarding call with Roman
Days 31-60
Issue your first Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) via SMS
Confirm your RLMT (Resident Labour Market Test) compliance if applicable
Conduct Right to Work check before worker start date - store on file
Ensure employment contract references visa conditions and working hours
Log the worker's CoS number, start date and job title in your HR system
Complete first SMS Activity Report check - review all pending workers
Confirm salary meets the going rate for the worker's SOC code
Set a visa expiry reminder 3 months before the worker's visa end date
Days 61-90
Complete your first internal Appendix D audit across all sponsored workers
Verify all salary changes since hire have been reported in SMS
Review the SMS Dashboard for any outstanding notifications
Check all workers are still employed in the role stated on their CoS
Ensure no sponsored worker is moonlighting or in breach of visa conditions
Confirm your AO details in SMS are still current
Schedule your quarterly compliance review with Roman
Download and archive all CoS documents from SMS for your HR records
Key Personnel Roles
Every sponsor must designate these roles in SMS. Getting them wrong is an easy UKVI compliance failure.
Authorising Officer (AO)
Senior person responsible for the licence. Must be directly employed, settled worker. Cannot be a contractor.
The AO must report all changes to UKVI within 20 working days. Failure is the #1 reason licences are downgraded.
Key Contact
Main point of contact for UKVI correspondence. Usually HR or legal.
Level 1 User
Day-to-day SMS user. Can issue CoS and report changes. Should be trained on all UKVI obligations.
Level 1 Users have full SMS access. Restrict this role to trusted staff only.
SMS Reporting: What to Report & When
Ignorance of these deadlines is not a defence with UKVI.
6 Mistakes New Sponsors Make
These are the most common causes of licence suspension in the first year.
Missing salary change reports
Set a calendar alert - any pay change must be logged in SMS within 10 working days.
Outdated RTW checks
When a worker extends their visa, you must repeat the RTW check. Set a reminder for every visa expiry date.
AO leaves without update
If your AO resigns or changes role, appoint a new one in SMS within 20 working days.
Worker doing different job
If the role materially changes, a new CoS is likely required. Contact AuditShield before making any changes.
Lost SMS login credentials
Store credentials in a secure password manager. Designate a backup Level 1 User.
Not reporting worker departures
Log every worker exit in SMS within 10 working days - resignation, dismissal, end of contract.
Want hands-on support?
Roman Tabassum manages sponsor licence compliance for UK employers. From your first CoS to full mock audit preparation - done for you.