192 12:51
FCO M.V.D.
071 270 4046
P.05
4. The working holidaymaker scheme allows Commonwealth citizens aged 17-27 to visit and work in the United Kingdom for up to 2 years before settling down in their own countries provided that they take only work which is incidental to their holiday and
Only Australia and will not have recourse to public funds. Canada operate reciprocal schemes for young British citizens but a time limit of one year theirs are more restrictive than ours; and a mandatory visa requirement are imposed.
5.
Introduced in 1962, the scheme was principally aimed at citizens of the old Commonwealth but in its existing form has become an avenue for full-time employment and impossible to monitor. 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 citizens to stay for up to two years for casual work. Abuse of the scheme is on the increase and the number of persons entering as visitors and switching to working holidaymaker status (over 1800 Nigerians in 1991) is rising at a rate unacceptable to the Home office.
To resolve this problem, the Home Office want to introduce no-switching (from visitor to WHM status) and prior entry
6.
clearance;
and to make certain other adjustments to the WHMS
scheme.
Argument:
7. MVD have consulted a number of geographical and other
The current departments who have in turn consulted some Posts. state of play on the Home Office's proposed changes is as
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.