TNAG-2629-FCO40-3820-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1992 — Page 64

E.R.

Some nationalities in particular appear to prefer to apply for working holidaymaker

status after entry rather than either to the visa officer or at the port of entry. For

example, while only 5 Nigerians, 3 Ghanaians, 0 Hong Kong BDTCs and 35 Malaysians

entered as working holidaymakers in 1991, 1,797, 821, 452 and 665 respectively are

estimated to have switched into working holidaymaker status after arrival during the

same period.

7. It is difficult to reconcile the Government's policy that visits to the UK should

be strictly limited to six months with a prohibition on work with the present facility for

Commonwealth nationals to change their mind and stay on for up to a further two years

for casual work. There is evidence that certain agencies specialise in abusive working

holidaymaker applications. For example, when 43 switching applications by one

representative were investigated 22 were found to be illegal entrants, a further 9 failed

to appear for interview and some of the remainder would have been refused leave to

remain. Most were working full-time. There is also evidence that dates of birth are

being altered in passports to bring individuals within the age limits of the scheme. It

is believed that the scope for abuse is reflected in the numbers switching to working

holidaymaker status.

Measures for tightening the Working Holidaymaker Scheme

8.

To improve the control B2 proposes that:

i) the maximum period allowed for a working holidaymaker should be reduced to a year. (This would be in line with the equivalent Australian

scheme.) This would still facilitate visits to this country by young people

of sufficient duration for them to familiarise themselves with our society

before returning home;

ii) time spent as a working holidaymaker should no longer be

aggregated. The purpose of the scheme is for an extended holiday and to

allow employment to help finance it. Trips outside the United Kingdom

should be considered as part and parcel of the extended holiday and count

towards the maximum time allowed in this country;