Latest News > 20 July 10 - Visa system abused by gang members

 

A report from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) has suggested that criminal gangs are establishing phony companies in order to apply for UK work visas for their members.


The gangs are applying for the visas under the UK points based system in order to ship in their members from abroad. The system allows employers to ‘sponsor’ work visa applications, which has opened doors to abuse of the system by criminals.



Before the new system was introduced, gang members would go to extreme lengths to smuggle their foreign members into the UK. Now, they are able to set up companies and bring them in almost legitimately with their own UK work visa or student visa.



Sir Andrew Green of Migrationwatch, claimed Soca is right to point out the flaws in the new system. He said, "The points-based system turned the immigration system on its head. Instead of granting a visa being a matter of judgment by immigration officers, the initiative is almost entirely on the business or college making the application on behalf of a foreign national."



"We now have a box-ticking exercise, and the default position is to grant a visa," he explained.


 

 

 

 

 

 

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