MPs call for thorough testing of UK immigration IT system

August 04 2009 by Mark Johnstone

UK immigration IT system

A major IT system, which is underpinning the points-based UK immigration system, needs to be thoroughly tested to avoid errors, says the Home Affairs Committee.

The Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is a database that will record which universities have sponsored foreign students applying for student UK visas allowing them to study in the UK. The system is expected to be phased in from the autumn.

The Home Affairs Committee’s report on the subject states, ‘the government must still ensure that the system is thoroughly tested in the UK and abroad, and that pilots are run with universities in advance of the implementation date of autumn 2009.’

The recommendation follows evidence given by a spokesperson representing UK universities who told the Home Affairs Committee, “We remain concerned about a lack of time for testing by universities by the autumn.” He went on to explain how there is expected to be a “large volume of transactions” over a short amount of time, putting pressure on the system.

The Home Affairs Committee report also recommended that the UK government open additional biometrics collection points internationally to speed up the collection of biometric information from visa applicants who want to study and move to the UK.

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