The UK Border Agency – set up to manage migrant workers in the UK – “is likely to be swamped” by last minute applications from employers seeking to register under a new immigration points system being introduced this autumn.

Immigration consultants Sarah Butler Associates, conducted a survey with some of the Britain’s biggest employers, and reported that only 11 percent of the businesses had applied for licenses allowing them to hire migrant labour.

The points system is designed to stem the flow of migrant workers from non-European Union countries and give preference to financial high-flyers, entrepreneurs and skilled foreign professionals. The first phase of the scheme, for the most highly skilled workers, was introduced at the end of February.

Sarah Butler, managing partner, warned that there was likely to be a rush of businesses applying to join the sponsors’ register, with almost 40 per cent of respondents to its survey proposing to apply next month. “From a practical perspective this means that the UK Border Agency is likely to be swamped in June,” it said.

“On that basis, we predict that bottlenecks may arise and the UK Border Agency may struggle to process applications on a timely basis.”

The survey included 70 businesses employing more than 2m workers.

It reported that two-thirds of employers who had applied for the first phase of the points scheme had found the process “either confusing or very confusing.”

The new rules for employers who wish to recruit migrant workers from outside the European Economic Area include, being able to show that the job could not have been filled from the “resident labour market.”

Migrant workers will be expected “to demonstrate English language competence”, have a definite job offer and enough money to support themselves for the first month they are here – about £800.

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