The Key Contact is one of the key personnel for the purposes of your company's Sponsorship Management System (SMS). You must identify your Key Contact, Authorising Officer and Level 1 User as part of your application for a sponsor licence. Your Key Contact must be in place throughout the lifetime of your licence, but who can assume this role and what responsibilities will they have?
What is a Key Contact?
Your Key Contact is responsible for communicating with UKVI for the purposes of your sponsor licence. You can only nominate one person for this role, even if your company has more than one person who could hold this position.
What are the requirements to be a Key Contact?
Your Key Contact must usually be based in the UK for the duration of the role you appoint them to. They must usually be a paid member of staff or engaged by you as an 'office holder'. They must not have any unspent criminal convictions and they cannot be legally prohibited from being a company director in the UK. Your Key Contact should be familiar with the sponsorship process and relevant duties.
Can I appoint a representative as the Key Contact?
Yes. You can appoint a UK-based representative to be your Key Contact.
Can I change the Key Contact?
Yes. If your Key Contact is due to leave the company, or is no longer able to liaise with UKVI, you must find a suitable alternative and appoint them on the SMS.
Can my Key Contact also hold other Key Personnel positions?
Your Key Contact will not have access to the SMS. However, they can be granted access if they are also set up as your Level 1 or Level 2 User. They can assume multiple positions as part of your sponsor licence application, or at a later date following the grant of your licence.
Contact us today if you are unsure of your SMS duties or have a query about any Key Personnel for your company's sponsor licence.