Questionnaire
General
1 What is your general view on the Government's proposals?
2 Should the users of the system (eg employer and/or migrant) or the taxpayer bear the costs of the migration system?
User Taxpayer Both
Please provide additional comments in the space provided.
3 Do you think that the proposed changes should be phased in?
Yes No
Please add any specific comments you have in this regard.
4
4.1 On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the least important and 5 being the most important), please indicate what level of importance you think should be attached to the following criteria as part of a new points based system.
4.2 Are there any other relevant criteria that you think should be considered under a points based application? If so, please provide details.
5 5.1 Do you think employers should have a part to play in immigration control in respect of labour they employ? Yes No 5.2 If so, what should employers do? E.g.confirm relevant criteria satisfied; confirm if employment commenced and when it has terminated.
5.3 The Government wants to introduce financial bonds to help ensure that migrants from countries with poor return rates do leave the UK at the end of their stay. Do you agree with this? If so, should the employers be asked to put the bond?
6 What improvements (e.g. different documentation or clearer statements on visas) or additional services, would help employers understand whether foreign nationals are legally entitled to work in the UK and help them to ensure that they are not employing illegal workers?
Tier 2 : Skilled Workers 7 7.1 Do you agree that the task of identifying labour shortages should be carried out by a specifically created and tasked body - proposed as the Skills Advisory Board ("SAB")?
7.2 If not, are there any bodies or organisations which should carry out this task, e.g. Jobcentre plus or sector based bodies?
8 8.1 Should employers be able to employ migrant labour under Tier 2 for a roles/occupations not identified as a shortage occupation by the SAB (or such other body), as under the current permit scheme? Yes No
8.2 If yes, do you think the employment of migrant labour for non-shortage occupations should be subject to additional restrictions such as: • Increased application fees Yes No • A quota system Yes No • An auction process where potential employers bid higher fees for the workers Yes No
• Other: please specify below
Tier 3 : Low Skilled Workers 9 Should employers who want to fill particular vacancies with Tier 3 workers be:
10 The Government is looking at increasing the responsibilities on those who bring in or use low skilled migrant labour, to improve compliance with the rules. In this context: Which, if any, of these responsibilities do you think should be placed on employers?
11 Should there be an English language requirement in order for an individual to come to the UK under Tier 3? Yes No
Tier 4 : Students 12 It is proposed that each student application must be sponsored by a registered "learning provider" (e.g. a college), who provides a "certificate of sponsorship" specific to the visa application. The educational institution will then take on certain responsibilities to ensure that students are not "abusing the system". Do you think that leave to enter or remain in the UK for students should be linked to a specific course at a specific institution in this way?
13 Do you think that requiring educational institutions to help avoid abuse in this way would help you as an employer?
Tier 5 The Government has identified a tier 5 which will cover such categories as: • A "visiting worker" (like the current business visitor); • Selected training or development schemes, such as post graduate doctors/dentists working towards UK qualifications; and • Youth mobility/cultural exchange.
14 Do you currently make any applications in any of these categories, and do you think it is useful to retain all or any of them?
15 Do you think it would be useful to have flexibility in the system for individuals holding a visa under tier 5 to be able to switch to tier 1 (Highly Skilled Migrant) or tier 2 (Work Permit) visa without leaving the UK?
Your Organisation 16 How many staff do you employ (approx)? 17 Do you have overseas offices/operations? 18 Approximately how many work permit applications do you currently make per annum?
19 How many applications in categories other than work permit do you currently make or support per annum?
20 Do you handle your work permit/immigration applications in-house? If not, how do you handle applications?
21 What categories of migrant worker would you say your organisation encounters most?
22 Would you be interested in a service whereby your completed applications are checked before they are submitted to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for a fixed fee? If so, how much would you expect to pay? Your Details
