Points-based system Catherine Marston
What do we know? What don’t we know? Key concerns Some questions Key dates Looking ahead…….
What do we know? • Overview of system • T1, T2, T4 and T5 Statements of Intent • Sponsorship guidance – broad overview of roles and responsibilities • Sponsor registration process • Dates
Points-based immigration system Key aims: • Better identification and attraction of migrants who have most to contribute to the UK • A more efficient, transparent and objective application process • Improved compliance and reduced scope for abuse
Points-based immigration system 5 Tier Framework Tier 1 – highly skilled (HSMP) Tier 2 – skilled workers with job offer (work permit) Tier 3 – limited numbers of low skilled workers Tier 4 – students Tier 5 – youth mobility and temporary workers
Points • For each tier applicants will need sufficient points to obtain a visa/entry clearance. ‘Points will be awarded according to objective and transparent criteria to produce a structured decision-making process.’ • Applicants will be able to self-assess before making an application
Student points General Student category: Pass mark – 40 points Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – 30 points Maintenance and Funds test – 10 points
International students Tier 4 - students • Visa for specific institution • General student category – same work provisions, dependents, will cover ‘sandwich’ provisions
International graduates Tier 1 Post-Study • Transitional route for ‘skilled overseas students who have studied in the UK’ to work in the UK for a period after ‘completion of studies’ • Has ‘subsumed’ International Graduates Scheme and Fresh Talent Scheme • Two years • Positive recognition of international graduates but are employers signed up?
Sponsorship • ‘Sponsorship’ aims to try to ensure the migrant is able to do a particular job or course of study • New ‘sponsor register’ run by Home Office • ‘CAS’ – assurance from sponsor • Will be a reference number generated from a central database – new Sponsor Management System (SMS) • Replaces subjective tests of ability and intention in current system
Sponsor register • ‘Sponsor licence fee’ plus fees per ‘CAS’ • Organisations will have to provide information on how many certificates they expect to issue per tier • Organisations will have to report on migrants • Support and performance assessment by network of immigration officers • Compliance officers
What don’t we know? • Sponsorship arrangements across multiple tiers • Detailed process for the issue of CAS • Movement within system • Detail on reporting • IT
Sponsorship across tiers • HEIs in multiple roles – employer, recruiter and host • Single registration or multiple registrations • UKBA views on different activities
CAS process • Current proposals for 1 CAS problematic • No clarity about when and on what basis a certificate should be issued • Students ‘locked in’ • HEIs blocked • Payment • Pressure on entry standards and deposits • Pressure on UKBA system
Movement within system • How will students move quickly (and cheaply)? • Sponsorship obligations
Reporting process • Acceptance of ‘progression’ rather than attendance • ‘Enrolment periods’ • ‘Progression points’ • Different types of students
IT • HEIs largest volume users • No input to design, development or testing • Basics not finalised • Basic system • Need for data transfer • Opportunities for improved MIS • Robust?
Key concerns • Impact on HEIs • Support from UKBA • Performance assessment • Maintenance levels
Impact on HEIs • Multiple roles – internal co-ordination • More information but already into 2008/09 activities and 2009/10 plans • Need to review policies and processes for recruitment, admissions, finance, registry, academic…. • Resources – additional staff or added to existing staff responsibilities
Support from UKBA • c.50,000 potential sponsor organisations • c.150 sponsorship/visiting staff • Regional difficulties • Employment perspective • Pre-registration visits
Performance assessment • How will UKBA assess performance? • Sector norms? Regional? Size? • Connections between employment activities and student activities • ‘Best practice’ on international student recruitment
Maintenance levels • Students expected to have access to £800 per month/ £9,600 a year • Dependents expected to have two-thirds of those amounts • 67 HEIs provided information to BUILA and UUK • Only 5 advised this level or above
Some questions….. • Who will be responsible for PBS? • Who will be responsible for which aspects? • How can we use existing systems? • How to involve others? • What do students need to know? • What about collaborative partners? • Extra staff? Extra money? • Data protection issues • Culture change?
Who will be responsible for PBS? • PBS places HEIs in new relationship with UKBA • Issue of corporate risk – severe penalties and impact on business • Senior level ownership • Authorising Officer role
Who will be responsible for PBS? HEI perspective: • Who? • What? • When?
Who will be responsible for which aspects? • HR/ Student activities • Single entity or multiple entities • Some communication required
How can we use existing systems? • Last enrolment points • Progression points • Links to retention strategies
How to involve others? • Whole institution issue? • Finance, registry, international, research, HR, admissions, student advice, accommodation, library • Student Union dimension
What do students need to know? • What do they need to know? • When do they need to know it?
What about collaborative partners? • Where do responsibilities lie? • What happens if the partner has difficulties?
Extra staff? Extra money? • What might increase? • Human Resources • Financial
Data protection issues • Getting it right • Seek advice from DPA/FOI officer
Culture change? • Could it change things positively? • Focus on international student support and retention • Co-ordinated effort to support students • Greater certainty and better information • Students receiving fairer treatment and a clear visa deal
Key dates • Statements of intent on T2 and T5 - May 2008 • Statement of intent T4 – 30 July 2008 • Post Study Work – 30 June 2008 • Registration open for T4 sponsors – 30 July 2008 • T4 begins operation – ‘Spring 2009’ but phased implementation?
Key activities • Sector group advising UKBA on implementation of Tier 4 • Lobbying to change maintenance levels • Focus on clarifying CAS process, reporting process and IT development • Communications
Phased implementation • Sponsor licence and accreditation by ‘Spring 2009’ • Use of licence number on documents • Testing CAS process • Visa extensions first? • Full system later? • Avoid 2009 entry?
Other student issues • Relationship of PBS to ATAS • ID cards • Police registration
Related issues • International employees • International visitors – academic visitor route likely to be retained • Sponsored researchers – problematic
Thanks Comments, queries, questions.... catherine.marston@universitiesuk.ac.uk 020 7419 5463
