How To Appoint And Manage Level 1 Users In The Sponsor Management System

A Level 1 User manages the day-to-day operation of an organisation’s sponsor licence through the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

Because Level 1 Users can assign Certificates of Sponsorship, report changes and manage access to the system, appointing the wrong person—or failing to remove someone who has left—can expose the organisation to serious compliance and security risks.

The rules are also changing. Mandatory multi-factor authentication begins rolling out on 3 September 2026, while the Level 2 User role will begin to be phased out from 9 September 2026.

Key points

• Every sponsor must maintain at least one eligible Level 1 User throughout the life of its licence.

• The primary Level 1 User will normally need to be an internal employee, director or partner and a settled worker.