A security staff member, in uniform, smiles while speaking to a traveller at the UK Border, with signs for passport queues visible.

Sponsor company process FAQ’s

How your company can become sponsored to join the MAG Security ID Scheme

To operate at a MAG airport, your company must become an Approved Sponsor Organisation before being able to apply for ID passes.

Your organisation must demonstrate a legitimate need, strong governance, and full compliance with security standards before it can sponsor ID pass applications.

Common reasons for application rejection

Applications will be rejected if:

No Letter of Support and sponsor company form documents are submitted with the application (this includes the reference letter)
No clear business need for your company has been given to have access to the airport
Your companies Nominated Officer fails the security vetting process
Your companies Authorised Signatory is not resident in the UK, or fails the security vetting process
Your organisation:
- Can't demonstrate a strong security compliance capability
- Has a conflict of interest with Authorised Signatories or vetting staff members

FAQs

What evidence must the sponsor company submit?

Letter of support form
Evidence of a contract (or formal instructions of the works to be undertaken) with an existing authorised MAG airport organisation
Clear evidence of a legitimate operational requirement to work at the airport

What is the letter of support form?

This is a form that needs an existing authorised MAG airport organisation to complete. It requires them to submit information about the company they want to sponsor, this includes:

Sponsoring company details and named person and contact details
Sponsored company details and named person and contact details
Contract details or formal work instructions on headed paper or company email
Operational requirements for them to work at the airport
Access request and justification

Once this form is completed and submitted, a copy will be emailed to the submitter and the named person of the new company needing to be sponsored. You will then be sent an email advising you of the next steps.

What is the sponsored company online registration form?

This form gathers information about the company wanting to be sponsored, and supports the application review and approval process. The information required includes:

Details of the company sponsoring, and the company being sponsored
A reference letter
Nominated Officer appointment details
Authorised Signatory appointment details
Access zone details
MAG billing details (this will include carrying out an organisational credit check)

Once this form is completed and submitted, a copy will be emailed to: the submitter, the appointed Nominated Officer, the appointed Authorised Signature and the MAG ID Centre. You'll then be sent an email containing the next steps.

What is the reference letter?

This letter is required as part of the MAG compliance process. It is intended to ensure all companies applying to become an authorised MAG airport organisation can demonstrate legitimacy and trustworthiness.

The letter must be on formal headed paper from your company’s bank, accountant or solicitor confirming the following:

The company is a legal and legitimate entity
The company is trustworthy and of good standing
The period of time they have worked with the company (must be a minimum of 5 years)