Insights

The Home Office has recently issued an important warning to sponsor licence holders about a rise in phishing scams targeting the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). These scams are designed to gain unauthorised access to SMS accounts, posing significant risks to your organisation's sponsor licence and the integrity of the UK’s immigration system. 

To help protect your organisation, we’ve summarised the key details of the Home Office's guidance and outlined steps you can take to safeguard your SMS account. 

From 11 November, UKVI will bring into the Immigration Rules a number of safeguards that have been operating as concessions since May. The focus is on clarity and consistency around guardianship, living arrangements and the documentation schools should see before issuing a CAS. Independent schools should review templates, processes and record keeping to ensure visa applications made from 11 November are compliant.

The Home Office has announced a number of immigration changes that will affect international students, graduates and staff recruitment.

On 12 May 2025, the Government published a white paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The paper sets out a comprehensive plan to reduce net migration through a more restrictive and compliance-focused approach which will have far reaching implications for the higher education sector’s international offering.

New guidance provides welcome clarification on educational guardianship requirements, documentation, and acceptable care arrangements for sponsored pupils.

Employers sponsoring skilled worker visa applicants must ensure compliance with new restrictions on passing on certain immigration-related costs to sponsored employees.