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

What can they action on the SMS?