Sponsor Change of Circumstances Form Guide

The Sponsor Change of Circumstances Form is used by UK employers holding a sponsor licence to update or amend certain details when they do not have access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). A common use of the form is to appoint a new Level 1 user who will manage the licence on behalf of the organisation.

Employers must ensure their sponsor licence details remain accurate and up to date, as failure to report changes can result in penalties, suspension, or revocation of the licence. Updates may include changes to key personnel, business address, or organisational structure, such as mergers or acquisitions.

Once a change has been submitted via the SMS, employers who wish to expedite the process can apply for the Priority Change of Circumstances Service.

Under the Home Office’s Priority Change of Circumstance Service for Worker and Temporary Worker sponsors, A-rated sponsors are able to apply for faster consideration of certain types of change of circumstance requests by submitting an application via email and paying a fee of £200 per request.

The priority service aims to process eligible requests within 5 working days. However, delays may occur if further checks are needed, and employers must ensure they provide all required documentation promptly. Ensuring compliance with sponsor licence obligations and using the appropriate forms will help employers avoid disruptions to their ability to sponsor workers.

 

How to Use the Sponsor Change of Circumstances Form

 

The Sponsor Change of Circumstances Form is used by UK sponsor licence holders who do not have access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to make certain changes to their sponsor licence. The most common use of the form is to appoint a new Level 1 user.

The form is only required if you cannot make the necessary changes through the SMS. If you have SMS access, changes should be submitted directly through the system.

First, download and complete the Sponsor Change of Circumstances Form, providing accurate and up-to-date information, ensuring that all required fields are filled in correctly.

If you are applying for a priority service after submitting changes in SMS, you must first submit the change on the SMS platform.

To expedite processing, email postlicencepriorityservice@homeoffice.gov.uk. Attach the completed Worker and Temporary Worker priority request form. You also need to use the correct email subject format:

“Priority service request: [organisation name] ([sponsor licence number]): request type”.

If the request is accepted, you will receive a Worldpay link via email. You must make the £200 payment within 72 hours (including weekends).

Check for updates from the Home Office, including any requests for further information. Ensure the Authorising Officer checks their inbox and junk folders regularly.

 

Eligibility for the Priority Change of Circumstance Service

 

The priority service for submitting sponsor change of circumstances is only available to A-rated, Worker or Temporary Worker sponsor licence holders that have submitted their Changs on their SMS before emailing the priority request form.

The sponsor priority change of circumstances service is not available for changes relating to the following routes:

 

• Global Business Mobility (GBM) – UK Expansion Worker
• GBM-Service Supplier
• GBM-Secondment Worker
• Scale-up
• Government Authorised Exchange
• International Agreement
• Seasonal Worker

 

Any requests for additional Certificates of Sponsorship must be for undefined CoS only, and any requests for defined CoS will be rejected without a refund.

The priority service can only be used for changes relating to:

 

• Annual Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) allocation
• Additional CoS allocation
• Adding a new Level 1 user
• Changing a Level 1 user
• Replacing the Authorising Officer (AO)
• Amending the AO
• Replacing the Key Contact
• Amending the Key Contact
• Adding a representative
• Amending organisation details, such as change of business address

 

The Priority Change of Circumstance Service is not available to:

 

• Premium sponsors, who should instead contact their account manager
• Requests already in progress or allocated to a caseworker
• GBM UK Expansion worker route, GBM Service Supplier route and GBM Secondment Worker Route post-licence requests.

 

 

Sponsor priority slots

 

Current capacity for requests is 60 slots per day.

If fully subscribed, sponsors can apply the next working day.

Working days are classed as Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. Requests submitted outside of these hours will not be considered.

Requests are processed in chronological order, unless “exceptionally compelling circumstances” apply.

 

How long does the Priority Change of Circumstances take?

 

Under the fast-track service, if requests for the priority service are successful, sponsors can expect applications to be considered within 5 working days.

Cases within 7 calendar days of the published 18 week Service Standard should contact the Home Office again, noting in the subject title the date the request was submitted.

Complex requests or those requiring extra checks may take longer than 5 days.

Sponsors are also reminded to ensure they attach digital copies of all relevant documentation and information to avoid delays or issues with processing.

Note also the Home Office may request in some circumstances request original copies of the supporting documents.

You may be eligible for a refund where consideration is delayed for ‘other reasons’ such as technical difficulties at UKVI.

 

How much is the Priority Change of Circumstances service?

 

The Priority service costs £200 per request.

The authorisation code will be supplied when you have paid the fee.

 

How to apply for the Priority Change of Circumstance Service

 

To use the service, sponsors should:

 

• Submit the change of circumstances request on the SMS.
• Email postlicencepriorityservice@homeoffice.gov.uk, attaching a completed Worker and Temporary Worker priority request form.
• Print the submission sheet if the change relates to replacing the AO or appointing a representative.
• Within 5 working days, you can expect an email to your AO email address informing you of the outcome.
• If successful, you will also receive an email with a payment link.
• Pay the fee within 72 hours of the payment email being sent (including weekends), or the priority request will expire and you will need to apply again to be considered.

 

The service does not guarantee the request will be approved.

 

Unsuccessful requests

 

Requests may not be successful because the daily limit has been reached, the request was submitted outside of the core working hours or the request was not eligible for the service.

If you have not received a response, you can assume the request was not successful.

 

Duty to Notify Changes in Circumstances

 

Under the Certificate of Sponsorship, employers and the sponsored employees are under a duty to notify the UKVI of specific changes in circumstances within 10 working days.

Failure to report any changes of circumstances can result in licence downgrading, a suspended or revoked licence or a fine may be issued for failure to comply with the sponsor licence and migrant reporting duties.

 

Need assistance?

 

We are experienced advisers to sponsor licence holders. Please contact us if you have a question about the priority service, the change of circumstances notification process in general, or any other query relating to sponsor licence or sponsored visa management and certificates of sponsorship.

 

Sponsor licence change of circumstances FAQs

 

What is the Sponsor Change of Circumstances Form?

The form is used by sponsors who do not have access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to make changes, such as appointing a new Level 1 user.

 

When should I use the form?

The form is typically required when changes to sponsor licence details, such as key personnel or business address, need to be made but cannot be completed through the SMS.

 

How can I expedite a sponsor change of circumstances request?

You can use the Priority Change of Circumstances Service by emailing the Home Office with a completed Worker and Temporary Worker priority request form. A fee of £200 per request applies.

 

What is the processing time for priority service requests?

The Home Office aims to process eligible priority requests within 5 working days from the day after payment is received.

 

What happens if my request is unsuccessful?

If your request is unsuccessful due to ineligibility, missed deadlines, or reaching the daily limit, you will not receive a response. You can reapply if needed.

 

How many priority requests can I make?

You can submit multiple requests, but they must relate to the same sponsor licence. Requests for different licences in the same email will not be accepted.

 

What is the fee for the priority service?

The priority service costs £200 per request.

 

How will I know if my request has been accepted?

You will receive an email from the priority service team confirming acceptance and instructions for payment. A second email with a Worldpay link will follow.

 

What if additional information is required?

If further information is needed, the Home Office will contact the Authorising Officer via email. It is important to check all email folders, including spam or junk mail.

 

Does using the priority service guarantee approval?

The priority service guarantees faster consideration but does not guarantee the request will be approved.