TNAG-2629-FCO40-3820-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1992 — Page 63

- E.R.

pure has not been successful in achieving a formal agreement with the New Zealand

authorities who have declined to go further than a concessions for young British seekers

of casual or farm work. In contrast, New Zealand has concluded a reciprocal agreement

with Japan, although the take-up rate in the first three months of the scheme in 1985,

at least, was modest 21 going to Japan and 43 going to New Zealand.

-

The problem

5. From the viewpoint of the immigration control the working holidaymaker scheme

is unsatisfactory. There is evidence that long-term full-time employment is taken in

many cases. This encourages holidaymakers to establish themselves in the United

Kingdom to the detriment of the domestic labour market. An important factor is that participants can spend up to two years in the UK with their spouse and children under

18 without any interim checks on their working. It is difficult to restrict entry into the

scheme for a number of reasons:

i) the majority of persons at present admitted as working

holidaymakers do not require entry clearance;

ii)

switching after entry is allowed;

6.

iii)

the Rules do not specify a limit on the incidental employment

during the holiday;

iv) it seems that it is difficult to refuse applicants because of a

concern that they do not intend to leave the UK at the end of their stay

in the face of their entitlement to spend up to two years here doing

nothing in particular; and

v) the generosity of the upper age limit of 27.

Given the practical difficulties of screening applicants it is not surprising that it has become relatively easy for Commonwealth visitors who wish to stay in the UK

for more than 6 months to do so by applying for an extension as a working holidaymaker.