Sponsorship management system is launched for Tier 4 sponsors
05 October 2009
The UK Border Agency has today implemented phase 3 of Tier 4 of the points-based system for immigration.
Phase 3 is the voluntary trial period of the sponsorship management system (SMS) for Tier 4 sponsors. During this period, sponsors can continue using visa letters while gradually adopting the use of the SMS to issue confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS). CAS will completely replace visa letters in February 2010.
Until February 2010, sponsors will be able to issue CAS, visa letters or a combination of both to would-be students who are applying for a visa from within the United Kingdom. Would-be students applying from outside the United Kingdom will still need to apply with a visa letter until February 2010.
You can find more information on this website about the sponsorship management system (including user guides), and our Tier 4 implementation plan (PDF 79K opens in a new window) descibes our phased implementation approach to Tier 4 of the points-based system. We have made a number of updates to this website in line with phase 3 of Tier 4, so please visit the website regularly to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.
To start using the SMS, go to the SMS login page and log in using the username and password that we sent you when you became a registered Tier 4 sponsor. All Tier 4 sponsors will need to complete a transition exercise before they can use the system.