Home Office Research Report 01 - Understanding the perspective of potential sponsors on the Points-Based System sponsorship arrangements

Key implications
Executive summary
Main report

As part of the new Points-Based System for managed migration, institutions and employers bringing migrants to the UK will act as sponsors, holding a more formal role to help prevent abuse of the system.

This report presents findings from qualitative research into potential sponsors’ attitudes towards the proposed sponsorship rules, aiming to identify key issues that may arise in their implementation.

Overall, there was qualified support for the proposed sponsorship arrangements. There was a strong incentive for compliance, as many organisations relied heavily on recruiting migrant workers and international students. Employers generally responded more positively to the proposals than education providers, citing advantages such as increased control and a more streamlined process. Education providers had concerns that the new system might be less appropriate to the recruitment of international students, where the rating system and term ‘sponsor’, could be misleading. There was further support for the proposed role of Account Managers, and specific incentives and sanctions to encourage good sponsor behaviour.