Pre-reg permits refused by Home Office

A number of optometry students from outside the European Union have had their applications for work permits to continue their pre-registration training in the UK turned down since the introduction of a new points-based system for migrant workers.

As reported in last week's issue (News, October 10), the tough new system replaces the current work permit regime which is being phased out.

A UK Border Agency spokesman had said that those optometry students qualifying from eligible UK universities would be able switch to the tier one category of the new system which has a post-study work clause in order to take up a pre-registration placement.