UK IMMIGRATION UPDATE WEEK ENDING 10TH MARCH 2006
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Judith Hinds
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This was an exciting week in the field of UK Immigration and Nationality Law which saw the British Government set out its plans to introduce the new points based system which amalgamates the current 80 immigration categories to a 5 tier process with an aim to make migration work for Britain. The new scheme would be complemented with a tougher approach from the British Diplomatic posts abroad to eliminate false applications and will place increased obligations on businesses and universities in the United Kingdom who will now be required to sponsor migrants and help to ensure that those they sponsor adhere to the terms of their immigration status. Key elements of the system include: Tier 1 - highly skilled, e.g. scientists or entrepreneurs; Tier 2 - skilled workers with a job offer, e.g. nurses, teachers, engineers; Tier 3 - low skilled workers filling specific temporary labour shortages, e.g. construction workers for a particular project Tier 4 - students; and Tier 5 - youth mobility and temporary workers, e.g. working holiday makers or musicians coming to play a concert. • points to be awarded to reflect aptitude, experience, age and also the level of need in any given sector, to allow the United Kingdom to respond flexibly to changes in the labour market; • the establishment of a Skills Advisory Body to identify these shortages; • consolidating entry clearance and work permit applications into one transparent single-stage application; • a system of sponsorship by employers and educational institutions to ensure compliance; • financial securities for specific categories where there has been evidence of abuse to ensure that migrants return home at the end of their stay; and • the ending of employment routes to the United Kingdom for low-skilled workers from outside the European Union except in cases of short-term shortages. This is a mammoth task for the Government as it includes the re-training of all personnel at varying levels and the worldwide roll-out to all its Diplomatic posts abroad of a robust and efficient IT system. The Government is scheduling to introduce the new immigration system by mid-2007. At Active Immigration Solutions Limited we service clients over a broad range of industries to include, Financial Services, Construction, Hospitality, Pharmaceuticals/Health and Information Technology. We also deal with International Sportspeople and Recording Artists/Performers in the Entertainment Industry. We shall be attending the Home Office’s Event on the new Immigration scheme which is to be held next Friday, 17th March 2006 in London. We shall have the opportunity to speak to Government Ministers and Home Office Officials. The bottom line is we want to ensure that where our clients genuinely suffer difficulties in recruitment and have to extend their search outside the resident labour market and are able to successfully achieve solutions under the current system, they shall still be able to do so under the new scheme. Iris Recognition Immigration System By the close of the week we saw with the Iris Recognition Immigration System (“IRIS”) introduced to Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport. Terminals 2 and 3 at Heathrow Airport already have this system in place. IRS enables registered passengers to enter the United Kingdom without queuing to see an Immigration Officer at passport control. Individuals signed up to the scheme will be able to walk up to an automated barrier, simply look into a camera and if the system recognises them enter the United Kingdom, which will then free Immigration Officers to focus on other priorities. This biometric technology works by photographing a passenger's iris patterns and storing the data in a database, together with their passport details. Only those individuals who have had their details authenticated by an Immigration Officer are able to use the technology. As no two iris patterns are alike, the system will quickly and securely recognise each registered individual when they look into the camera. With millions of people entering the United Kingdom, it is important that the United Kingdom remains at the forefront of the latest technology in immigration controls. It is crucial to have a secure and effective border controls to safeguard citizens who reside in the United Kingdom against terrorism, serious and organised crime and illegal immigration, while at the same time facilitating entry for legitimate travellers. This is welcome news for our clients who are frequent travellers to and from the United Kingdom and who have complained about queuing at passport control. ooOOoo Immigration is a political hot potato and the Government must get it right. This week we heard criticisms from the opposing Political Parties in the British Parliament, which included that they (the Government), should introduce quotas and that they would not be able to efficiently achieve its plans, given the enormity of the task. It is crucial that the Government ensures that the genuine needs of Industrial sectors are met so that the United Kingdom is able to effectively compete in the global marketplace which will boost the economy. In addition the Government is keen to improve public confidence in the new Immigration system which will demonstrate that they are extremely selective about who comes here and it is indeed a privilege to work and study in the United Kingdom and not a right! Please fee to contact us at Active Immigration Solutions Limited if you have any further queries. ooOOoo The above notice is for information and guidance only and you should contact us to discuss the specific issues relating to your case in strict confidence. |
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Judith Hinds is a Director at Active Immigration Solutions Limited. http://www.entryin.com.
Active Immigration Solutions Limited was established to provide value for money, world class professional services in the area of UK Immigration and Nationality advice to corporate clients and private individuals. |