Senior Carer Work Permits

“On Hold”

Pending New Guidelines

by Charles Kelly

12 June 2007

The Border and Immigration Agency has put all Senior Carer Work Permit Applications “On hold”, pending new policy guidelines.

Several Business Team Managers have confirmed that no decisions are being made on cases until widely anticipated revised guidelines are published in the “next couple of weeks”.

Thousands of applications - as well as people’s lives and businesses - are in the balance.

As recently reported by Immigration Matters “Are Senior Care Work Permits History” the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) - formerly Work Permits UK - has savagely cut the number of Work Permits issued for much needed Senior Carers.

Despite the obvious problems with Senior Carer cases since the start of the year, there has been no official announcement and the official BIA website shows no changes to guidelines.

Applications and fees of £190 are still being accepted in a “business as usual” manner, when it is clear that 99.9% of Senior Work Permit applications will be rejected.

Some agencies will be pressing the BIA to refund fees on all applications refused based on forthcoming new policy guidelines before they have been published.

Earlier this month, Liam Byrne, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Nationality launched a consultation paper on “simplifying immigration and citizenship law”. Perhaps they should start by clarifying the position on Senior Carers?

There are fears within the Industry that many Care Homes may have to close down if they cannot meet strict staffing guidelines laid down by the CSCI.

Meanwhile, employers are becoming more dependent on student workers as they struggle to find care staff locally. See http://www.visas4students.com

If you should have any questions or views you would like to express concerning Work Permit, Visa Extensions, Leave to Remain, please email Charles Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk.

For immigration updates see: http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk