HOME OFFICE RELEASES
FURTHER DETAILS ON
POINTS BASED SCHEME

by Charles Kelly

At a recent conference of Immigration Law Practitioners John Larkins, Deputy Director of Managed Migration revealed further snippets of information on how the points based system will operate.

The points-based system is part of the the government five year plan to overhaul the immigration system and a key element of the 2006 Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act.

Mr Larkins was the keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) in London. As one of the scheme’s principle architects Mr Larkins was able to give us an insight as to how the system will work in practice, but stressed that the actual rules were still not finalised.

Employers and educational establishments will be required to register as ‘Sponsors’ and will be expected to take responsibility for the suitability of candidates, as well as informing the Home Office of ‘no shows’ and early leavers.

Up to 60000 employers and 8000 educational establishments are expected to register and a grading system is likely to be introduced.

Work Permits will be replaced by ‘Certificates of Sponsorship’ issued by registered employers, who will be expected to vouch for their candidate’s “Ability and Intention”.

The Home Office has already started recruiting 190 Account Managers and 140 Compliance Officers to manage sponsors, prior to the first phase being implemented in April 2008.

If you should have any questions or views concerning Work Permit, Visa Extensions, Leave to Remain, outsourcing your work permits or finding staff please email

Charles Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk