Consultation on Revising the OISC's Guidance on Competence

The last few years have seen the introduction of the Points-Based System (PBS) that has been described as the biggest shake up of the immigration system for 45 years. Other important developments include the passage of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, the continuing expansion of the EEA, the current Earning The Right To Stay consultation and changes to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT). Considering all this, we believe the time is right to embark on a consultation on whether fundamental changes need to be made to its Guidance on Competence. A copy of the Impact Assessment can be downloaded here.

This consultation is an excellent opportunity for advisers and all other stakeholders to be involved in the OISCs decision making process, thereby ensuring the future regulation of immigration advisers remains efficient and relevant with respect to the changes happening in the wider immigration sector.

The consultation was launched on 2 November 2009 and will remain open for twelve weeks until 29 January 2010.

You can download a copy of the consultation document here.

While all questions in the consultation are important, you do not have to respond to all consultation questions to make a response. We would, however, appreciate detailed explanations for your answers to the questions, where appropriate.

We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Respond

1. Online - You can complete an online response form by clicking on the link below:

Revising the Guidance on Competence

2. By email or post - You can download a copy of the response form by clicking on the link below:

Revising the Guidance on Competence Response Form

Please send your completed consultation proformas by sent no later than 29 January 2010 to the following address:

Electronic:
consult@oisc.gov.uk

By post:
Policy Section
Guide on Competence Consultation
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
5thg Floor
Counting House
53 Tooley Street SE1 2QN