2015-Aug 14: Completing the Determination tab for Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Category applications

Visa Pak 224 - Reminder for staff about completing the Determination tab appropriately before deciding Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Category applications.

Visa Paks

14 August 2015

Completing the Determination tab for Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Category applications

AMS determination data

Some staff are not accurately completing the Determination tab in AMS when recording whether the applicant meets immigration instructions. In particular, it has been noted that the applicant’s main occupation is not always selected for Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applications that are declined. The resulting lack of data affects labour market analysis and research, which is part of the basis for immigration policy and informs whether we are making the right decisions in the context of the whole labour market.

Given the above, staff should ensure that the questions under the Determination tab in AMS are completed appropriately, before deciding both residence and temporary entry applications in AMS. The options available are as follows:

  • Ticking yes indicates the applicant meets the described immigration instructions.
  • Ticking no indicates the applicant does not meet the described immigration instructions. This will capture the reasons why you have declined the application.
  • Ticking waive will allow you to proceed, but will require you to record why you have waived instructions in notes. You may record “Not yet assessed” if you intend to decline an application on grounds such as Health, Character or English Language and therefore decide not to assess all other aspects of the application before making your decision.
  • Ticking in progress allows you to hold the application but will require you to record your reasons for selecting this in notes.

In all cases, staff should complete the Determination tab as accurately as possible before deciding the application.

SMC Decline letters

It is also important, when declining SMC residence applications, to advise applicants and their representatives of any points that have been awarded. In the interests of fairness, the applicant should know where points have been awarded, even if their application is being declined.

Advising the applicant of the points awarded may highlight areas that need to be improved should they decide to apply again in future under the SMC. If no details of points awarded are recorded in the decline letter, then applicants may mistakenly believe that they were not awarded any points. This could lead to some confusion and misunderstanding by customers.

Action

  • Complete the Determination tab, as far as possible, when declining Essential Skills and SMC applications.
  • When declining an SMC application, record any points awarded in an SMC – Residence decline letter.