Regarding the rules governing permanent resident permits (PRP) –
Two key pledges outlined in The Islands Plan 2018-2022 refer to the desire to ‘encourage contractors and their families to make the Falkland Islands their home’, and also of ensuring ‘we train and retain existing workers, and attract new workers in areas of skills shortages’. Both are vital to ensure future economic growth and support a settled workforce.
The proposed changes to PRP are the product of policy development, over an extended period from 2014 through to 2020, which included public consultation on the points system. The current system places a high value on educational attainment and qualifications, high earnings, professional experience and assets. While these are valuable considerations, 91% of people who provided consultation feedback felt the points system should be revisited.
Their overriding concern was that the points system does not give enough weight to other qualities that we need in the longer-term. We want to be able to attract people who have a real commitment to making their life here and who provide valuable skills and fill important roles currently lacking in our workforce. The Immigration (PRP) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 will enable us to do this.
The essential criteria remain robust and have been strengthened in many areas, they include:
- residency in the Falkland Islands of a minimum of 3 years for the applicant and dependents
- criminal record checks for the previous 5 years to demonstrate good character
- sufficiently good command of the English language
- securing satisfactory accommodation
- health assessments for applicants and all dependents to ensure they are not likely to require the ongoing and significant support of public funds
- educational assessments for all applicants (or dependents) under 16 years to ensure they are not likely to require the ongoing and significant support of public funds
Points will also be awarded for Camp employment, and any roles, included in the Workforce Shortage List – so that individuals performing a wider range of functions that are important to our society will be given points for their efforts.
Applications from young families are encouraged by the introduction of a new points allocation for dependent partners who are under 45 and for dependent children who are ordinarily resident in the Falklands. More points are available for younger applicants than before, reflecting the importance of this demographic as an economic driver.
The new system also encourages individuals to apply for PRP as soon as they meet the minimum residency requirement – after 3 years – and recognises community engagement for the first time. Points will be allocated both to the principal applicant and to a dependent applicant for voluntary work if they can demonstrate a substantial, sustained contribution to society, showing how the Falkland Islands values community spirit and commitment. Points will still be awarded for those holding the South Atlantic Medal and their dependent partners, and also for those with close family permanently resident in the Falkland Islands.
Executive Council has already approved an annual increase in the PRP quota to 90 and applications will in the future be considered on a monthly basis, instead of quarterly. Collectively, these changes will enable more eligible individuals and families, who have been resident and working here for a number of years, to choose to make their future in the Falklands.
It is planned that these changes will be brought into effect within the next two months.