Study sponsors can use the priority change of circumstances service for nine types of Sponsor Management System request, at £350 per request, if they meet the eligibility criteria in the guidance.
Key facts
- Who: Study sponsors that are Dormant Licenced, a Probationary Sponsor, Student Sponsored or a Track Record licensed student sponsor
- From: No start date is stated in the guidance. The page shows an update dated 29 September 2026.
- Source: Study post licence priority service
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) guidance lets Study sponsors prioritise certain requests each day by email. The service covers these requests:
- add a new level 1 user
- change a level 1 user
- replace or amend the authorising officer (AO)
- replace or amend the key contact (KC)
- appoint or amend a representative
- follow on CAS allocation requests
Requests to update organisation details because of moved premises are not accepted on the priority service. The guidance says the service does not guarantee that a request will be approved.
Eligibility. The sponsor must be Dormant Licenced, a Probationary Sponsor, Student Sponsored or a Track Record licensed student sponsor. The request must first have been submitted through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). It must not be in progress or allocated to a caseworker, and the sponsor must not have an open basic compliance assessment application (BCA). A fully completed application must go to the priority service team.
How to apply. After submitting the SMS change, email the priority service mailbox with a completed Study priority request form. The subject line must give the organisation name, sponsor licence number and request type. Several requests can be sent together only if they relate to the same licence. The service is open from 07:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. Requests made outside these hours are not considered, and a limited number of requests are accepted each day.
Payment and timing. Successful applicants receive an acceptance email and then a second email with a Worldpay payment link. Payment must be made within 72 hours of the second email, including weekends, or the request expires. Eligible requests that have been paid are considered within 5 working days, starting the working day after payment. Complex requests, or those needing extra checks, may take longer.
What this means for applicants
A sponsor wanting a priority decision must first make the SMS request, then email the completed form to the priority mailbox within opening hours. Requests to replace the AO or to appoint or amend a representative also need the electronically signed submission sheet and supporting documents. Follow on CAS requests need the further information-CAS request form. For these requests, the new CAS allocation year takes effect from the date of decision and any unused allocation from the previous year is removed.
If the sponsor does not pay within 72 hours, the request expires and it must apply again. If no response arrives, the guidance says to assume the request was unsuccessful. If UKVI asks for more information and does not receive it, it may reject the request and no refund is given. Outcomes go by email to the key personnel listed on the licence.
Related guide: Priority visa UK
Sources