To allow our immigration team to take action on your behalf, we require access to your SMS. This ensures we can act legally and compliantly in supporting your immigration needs.
To do this, you'll need to add Borderless as both a Representative and a Level 1 User on your license.
🚩 Please note: If you applied for your sponsor license through Borderless, we are added as your representative automatically. You will only need to add Borderless as a Level 1 user.
🔍 Why This Matters
Representative – Allows us to communicate with the Home Office on your behalf.
Level 1 User – Gives us secure access to manage your SMS, including assigning CoS, submitting changes, and supporting sponsorship tasks.
Note: You'll keep your own Level 1 User access. Multiple Level 1 Users are allowed, but there can only be one Authorising Officer.
🧩 Before You Start
✔ Your business is already added to Borderless
✔ You have login access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
Let’s get started 🚀
Step 1: Navigate to Sponsor Licence Integration 🧭
In Borderless, go to Settings
Click Sponsor Licences
Select Add a Licence
Choose Integrate an Existing Sponsor Licence
Select your business from the list
Click Continue
You’ll now see the Sponsor Licence Integration Progress Page, which includes:
A timeline of integration stages
A document list
A to-do checklist
Step 2: Open the Sponsor Licence Integration Form 📝
The integration involves two key actions:
Adding Borderless as a representative
Adding Borderless as a Level One user (to submit visa applications and cost requests)
👉 Keep the UK Sponsor Management System (SMS) open while completing this form.
Step 3: Access Your Licence Summary 🔍
Log into the UK Sponsor Management System
Open your Licence Summary
Locate the left-hand menu showing:
Organisation name
Organisation address
Sponsor licence number
Authorising officer details
Step 4: Enter Organisation Details 🏢
In the Borderless integration form, enter the following exactly as shown in SMS:
Organisation name
Organisation address
Sponsor licence number
Authorising officer details
⚠️ Accuracy is important - mismatches may delay processing.
Step 5: Add Borderless as a Representative 🤝
In the Sponsor Management System:
Go to Licence Summary
Select Applications and Services
Click Request Changes to Licence Details
Choose Request any other change to your licence details
Select Appoint a Representative
Back in Borderless:
Copy the specific text provided
Paste it into the SMS text box
Click Next, then Submit
After submitting:
Copy the Change Request Number
If you can’t find it, use the help link in Borderless for guidance
Do not sign the submission sheet in SMS yet
Enter the Change Request Number into the Borderless form.
Step 6: Add Borderless as a Level 1 User 👤
In SMS, go to Licence Summary
Click Manage Level One and Two Users
Select Request a Level One User
Return to the Borderless form:
Use the details provided
Click Add to submit the request
Step 7: Enter the Representative Reference Number 🔢
If you’ve already received a Representative Reference Number from the Home Office, enter it here
If it doesn’t work, try the alternative codes shown
If none work, tick Manual Processing
👉 Borderless will handle this step for you if manual processing is selected.
Step 8: Enter Level One User Details ✅
If the Level One User request was successful:
Enter the Level One User ID
Enter the Level One User Status exactly as shown in SMS
Click Submit
Step 9: Sign the Submission Document ✍️
Click Sign Document
Review the submission sheet (optional)
Click Sign Now
Add your signature
Select Sign and Complete
The signed document will be saved under Submission Documents.
Step 10: Submit for Review 📤
Click Submit for Review.
🎉 Your information has now been sent to Borderless.
What Happens Next? ⏭️
Borderless will request priority processing from the Home Office
This covers adding Borderless as:
A representative
A Level One user
No further action is required from you unless:
The Home Office emails the Authorising Officer for confirmation
If this happens, notify Borderless so the system can be updated