Guidance

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: Sponsor hints and tips

Updated 21 December 2022

1. How to get your sponsor ID

You can locate your ID by logging into your NSVS Portal, go to my account, default values and it will be listed on this page as “Case Manager’s Sponsor ID”.

Please note, if you have a VSI only account you will not have the option to select “My Account”, to obtain your sponsor ID please contact UKSV and advise you have a VSI Only Sponsor Account, your sponsor ID will be provided after passing security.

2. How to change your email address on the portal

To amend your email address or details on the portal, please go to my account, default values and change the appropriate details. You will also need to contact UKSV with the updated email address to ensure that UKSVs internal database can be updated.

3. Why the VSI portal may display a result of ‘contact vetting provider’

There are a number of reasons why this message is displayed:

• the clearance is expired or lapsed
• there are multiple records for the applicant
• the clearance has restrictions applied
• the case is still in progress
• the clearance is shared.

If you receive this result from a search you will need to contact UKSV who will verify the details.

4. How to inform us that a sponsor has left and transfer their active cases

UKSV should be notified as soon as vetting sponsors move post or leave, sponsor authorisers are required to contact UKSV so that details can be updated accordingly. This should include the Sponsor’s ID, name and date of birth.

In order to ensure that information for the Sponsor is redirected appropriately, the new Sponsor taking ownership of the cases once their sponsor application is completed, should take the following action:

• contact UKSV and email their e-mail address, Sponsor ID and a list of all the applications they require ownership of
• this request will be forwarded to the relevant teams for contact details to be updated
• UKSV recommend applying via the Helpdesk for super-sponsor status which allows oversight of all applications in their team.

5. How to submit a request for NATO//EU/ESA clearance

Sponsor’s can submit an application for a NATO Secret via their sponsor Portal by using the Other services tab and selecting Aftercare, request NATO/EU/ESA from the “Vetting Service”.

However if this is required for urgent deployment or is a request for NATO Cosmic Top Secret then please follow up the request with an email direct to the NATO team at UKSV-natos.group@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and provide the below:

• sponsor ID
• applicant full name, date of birth and case ID for request on the Portal
• date required by in the subject line of the email

Full guidance on how to submit this request can be found in UKSV National Security Vetting Solution Portal: guidance for sponsors

6. How to submit a transfer request

Sponsor’s can submit an application for a Transfer/Extract/Share via their sponsor Portal using the ‘other services’ tab and selecting the request needed from the ‘Vetting Service’.

Full guidance on how to submit this request can be found in UKSV National Security Vetting Solution Portal: guidance for sponsors

7. How to complete the ‘sponsor actions’ on the portal

On the details of a request you have submitted you are required to complete “sponsor actions”. On the details of each request raised you will be asked for your PIN. Once you have typed in your PIN, click the link above stating “Complete sponsor’s part of SC/TRANSFER/DV” etc. Do not press Enter on your keyboard as it will select “Withdraw Application”. Once you have clicked the link you will be presented with an on-line e-form that you will be required to complete and submit.

8. How to request a notification of clearance

If the certificate/notification was issued by UKSV and is required for urgent operational deployment or the original notification was not received, and the clearance was granted less than 6 months ago a notification of security clearance can be issued by UKSV. To request a copy of the notification you as the sponsor would need to submit the request by contacting UKSV providing the following:

• your sponsor ID
• applicants Name
• applicants Date of Birth or Case ID
• reason for request.

The notification represents a valid clearance on the day of issue, and clearance may have been lapsed or withdrawn at any time since that date.

The notification of clearance refers to the employment and sponsor for which it was raised. It may be transferable: refer to appropriate security regulations (Security Policy Framework SPF / Joint Service Publication JSP 440) for details. Please note that a clearance may be withdrawn or may otherwise have its status changed at any time before its expiry date. To confirm that this clearance remains valid, you should (if you hold a sponsor/vetting status information (VSI) account) use the NSVS VSI facility. If you do not hold such an account contact UKSV to check the status of the clearance.