UK Border Agency have today written to A rated Sponsor Licence holders to advise that the premium customer service for sponsors in Tier 2 and Tier 5 of the Points Based System will be introduced from 06 April 2012. High users of Tier 2 sponsorship will be invited to participate in the scheme. The criteria that must be met include: Must not have been issued with a civil penalty in the past three years and any previous penalties must have been paid in full; Be an A rated sponsor; and Be able to fully satisfy sponsor responsibilities and have systems in place to demonstrate the ability to meet an A rated compliance audit. The premium service will be available for a fee of 25,000 per annum. The benefits of the premium service will include: A designated senior account manager and licence manager for each sponsor; Access to the premium sponsor support team from 8.00am to 6.00pm, seven days a week; Reducing the time a worker will be without their passport when making an immigration application; Guaranteed access to Public Enquiry Office appointment for fast-track processing; Guaranteed access to premium services overseas, including priority visas and VIP lounges (where available); An improved checking and update service; Updates to the licence to be made promptly and accurately; Pre-paid access to alternated biometric checking services online; and Attendance at stakeholder events to discuss issues of shared interest. Sponsors who meet the criteria and wish to apply will be able to do so from 06 April 2012 via the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The UKBA will publish more information in respect of the application process on their website shortly. The legal directory Chambers & Partners acknowledge the tremendous track record of our specialist immigration team and we have been consistently recognised by the Legal 500 as the top-ranked immigration practice for 10 consecutive years. Our specialist immigration solicitors have been providing business immigration services to major financial services, multi national organisations, high net worth individuals and private clients across all industry sectors for over 20 years. We are one of the largest and most experienced dedicated business immigration teams in the UK. Our diverse team of immigration specialists is made up of highly experienced, multi lingual, multi cultural and dual-qualified immigration lawyers drawn from a variety of commercial and legal backgrounds all working together to meet our clients objectives. Through our extensive expertise in U.K immigration, U.S immigration, and global immigration law as well as through our close working relationships with our associated offices in the U.S and throughout the world, we are able to provide effective and quick solutions for our clients on a global scale.