Sponsorship management system (SMS) users must use multi-factor authentication (MFA) from 3 September 2026, and sponsors can no longer appoint Level 2 Users from 9 September 2026, under version 08/26 of Part 1.
Replaces version 05/26, published on 20 May 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Licensed sponsors and organisations applying for a licence on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes, in particular their SMS Users
- From: Version 08/26 is valid from 28 August 2026. MFA applies from 3 September 2026. Level 2 Users can no longer be appointed from 9 September 2026.
- Source: Workers and Temporary Workers – guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence
The Home Office published version 08/26 of Part 1 of the sponsor guidance on 28 August 2026. The "Changes to this guidance" section lists three main updates.
First, the Level 2 User role is being phased out. Level 2 Users can no longer be appointed from 9 September 2026, and the role will be abolished after 8 March 2027. Paragraphs L4.4, L4.5, L4.14, L4.16, L4.18, L4.20, L4.21, L4.36, L4.42, L4.43, L6.5, L6.6 and L10.2 are updated to reflect this. New paragraphs L4.58, L4.59 and L4.65 deal with the phase-out.
Second, MFA becomes mandatory for SMS Users from 3 September 2026. New paragraphs L4.66 to L4.71 and L4.84 cover this. L10.5 and L10.6 are amended to reflect it.
Third, there is a new process for managing inactive SMS User accounts. New paragraphs L4.72 to L4.79 set out the action sponsors must take to keep active SMS Users and avoid putting their licence at risk. L4.8 gains a bullet point requiring SMS Users to access their account regularly and keep their details up to date. L10.4 is extended. The cooling-off periods table at L9.17 is updated, and the revocation grounds in Annex L1(h) and Annex L2(f) are changed to match.
Other changes: a note at the start of section L4 summarises the changes affecting SMS Users, and a residual reference to the trial Sponsor UK service has been deleted. The guidance also lists minor housekeeping changes.
What this means for applicants
SMS Users at licensed sponsors must be ready to use MFA from 3 September 2026. Sponsors that rely on Level 2 Users cannot appoint any more from 9 September 2026, and the role ends after 8 March 2027. Sponsors should read the new L4 paragraphs on inactive accounts. The guidance says sponsors must keep active SMS Users, and an inactive-account failure can put the licence at risk. The cooling-off table at L9.17 and the revocation grounds in Annex L1(h) and Annex L2(f) now reflect this process.
Related guide
Sponsorship requirements for the Skilled Worker route
Sources
- Workers and Temporary Workers – guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence, UK Visas and Immigration, version 08/26