Work Permit Policy

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A decision made (18.04.07) to approve the recommendations for the Work Permit Policy.

Subject:	Work Permit Policy
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2007-0033		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:
Written report – Title	Work Permit Policy Review 2007
Written report – Author (name and job title)	John T. Noel , Director Immigration & Nationality
Decision(s): The Minister for Home Affairs approved the recommendations below, details of which are contained in the accompanying report:- Recommendations: (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f). (g), (h), (i) and (j).
Reason(s) for decision: The above decision is the outcome of a review of current Work Permit policy, as detailed in the report. The changes brought about by Recommendations (a), (d) and (h) will be of benefit to permit holders and their employers. Recommendations (b) and (c) will improve inter-departmental working and consequently corporate decision making. Recommendation (e) removes the fee currently charged for permits of very short duration as this is no longer an economical fee for the process. This is balanced by Recommendation (h) which will exclude certain short term employees from having to obtain work permits. Recommendation (f) will bring in new income to recover the cost of granting permit extensions and help avoid the abuse of the fee system, making it fairer to all employers. Employers will have benefited in recent years from the fact that the fees set in 1999 have not been increased until now and Recommendation (g) brings the fees back into line in real terms with what they were originally set at eight years ago. The implementation date for the Recommendations covered by Recommendation (i) is of immediate benefit to employees and employers. The date proposed in Recommendation (j) for the increased fees to come into effect avoids most employers of seasonal permit holders from having a fee increase this year.
Financial Implications In accordance with Financial Direction 4.1 – Increases in States Fees and Charges, the approval of the Treasurer of the States is required for the new fee structure.
Action required: Customs & Immigration Service to implement recommendations in accordance with the approved implementation dates. Finance Director to seek the approval of the Treasurer of the States for the new fee structure.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: