Worker Registration Scheme
Employment agencies
This page explains the current circumstances in which employment agencies must register with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) if they are giving advice to workers about the Worker Registration Scheme.
Generally, it is illegal for businesses to give advice on immigration issues unless the person giving the advice is considered to be qualified. Qualified advisers include solicitors and those regulated by the OISC. Immigration issues that you must be qualified to advise on include citizenship of the European Union, and admission to or residence in Member States under European Community law.
Although applying to the Worker Registration Scheme can ultimately lead to residence in the UK under European Community law the scheme is primarily concerned with regulating access to the UK labour market. Employment agencies who only give advice about the Worker Registration Scheme, such as on how or when a worker should apply or helping a worker to complete the WRS application form, do not need to be regulated by the OISC.
If an employment agency is advising workers or their dependants on their right to live in the United Kingdom this advice relates to their worker status and the agency must register with the OISC.
You can find out more about OISC registration on the OISC website or by phoning the OISC on 0845 000 0046.