Number of work permits issued

Summary

The requester asked for annual data on work permits issued and denied between 2011 and 2018, distinguishing between EEA and non-EEA nationals. The Department for Enterprise provided the total numbers of issued and denied permits for the requested period but noted that the figures include renewals and that non-EEA nationals often use Immigration Rules instead of work permits.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 1 May 2018 and responded to on 29 May 2018.
• The provided figures for work permits issued include renewals of existing permits.
• The majority of non-EEA nationals work under Immigration Rules rather than the work permit system.
• The number of denied applications dropped significantly from 108 in 2013 to just 1 in 2018.
• The data covers the period from 2011 to May 2018.

Data Disclosed

• 2011 issued: 5921
• 2012 issued: 5081
• 2013 issued: 4240
• 2014 issued: 3842
• 2015 issued: 3715
• 2016 issued: 3186
• 2017 issued: 3483
• 2018 issued (as at 24 May): 870
• 2011 denied: 60
• 2012 denied: 78
• 2013 denied: 108
• 2014 denied: 67
• 2015 denied: 88
• 2016 denied: 59
• 2017 denied: 7
• 2018 denied: 1
• Case ID: 449057

Original Request

To whom it may concern, Under the FOIA 2015, I am requesting the provision of data on the number of work permits issued by the Department, per annum from 2011 to the present day. The scope of this request concerns EEA nationals and non EEA nationals as well as the number of applicants denied a permit. Regards

Data Tables (3)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624) 685375 Website: www.gov.im/dfe Email: steven.tallach@gov.im

Our ref: 449057 29 May 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 1 May 2018 and which states:

“Under the FOIA 2015, I am requesting the provision of data on the number of work permits issued by the Department, per annum from 2011 to the present day. The scope of this request concerns EEA nationals and non EEA nationals as well as the number of applicants denied a permit.” We have detailed below the information that is being released to you. Number of work permits issued by the Department of Economic Development/Department for Enterprise, 2011 - 2018 2011 5921 2012 5081 2013 4240 2014 3842 2015 3715 2016 3186 2017 3483 2018 (as at 24 May 2018) 870 Please note that the above figures include the numbers of existing work permits that have been renewed. Number of applications for work permits denied by the Department of Economic Development/Department for Enterprise, 2011-2018 2011 60 2012 78 2013 108 2014 67 2015 88 Page 2 of 3 2016 59 2017 7 2018 1

It should also be noted that the majority of non-EEA nationals taking up work in the Island will have done so under the Immigration Rules, rather than the work permit system. You can find out more about the Immigration Rules here: https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/immigration/ Please quote the reference number 449057 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

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