The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has announced plans to mandate the inclusion of agent details in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) documentation. However, rather than adopting a standardized selection method, like a drop-down menu, UKVI plans to rely on a free-text box for this purpose. This approach has raised concerns within the higher education sector about potential inconsistencies and data quality issues.

The British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA), representing 144 institutions, advocates for a more uniform system. They suggest integrating an existing list of certified agents who have completed the national Agent Quality Framework training. This list could be integrated into the CAS process through a drop-down menu or combo box, ensuring consistency and reliability in agent data.

In preparation for the new CAS requirement, BUILA members are developing a sector-wide database of contracted agents. This platform aims to facilitate the sharing of vetting and compliance information among international directors, thereby enhancing overall standards.

Despite these initiatives, UKVI has indicated that technical system limitations prevent the implementation of a standardized agent list in a drop-down format. Relying on free-text fields could result in inconsistent data entry, making accurate report and analysis more difficult. Challenges include differing agent trading names across global regions and the prevalent use of subcontracted agents and franchises.

Currently, UKVI expects universities to manually input the contracted agent's name into the new field as it appears in official service agreements. This practice may differ from the name a student associates with their application services, further complicating the process.

Andrew Bird, chair of BUILA, addressed these concerns at the QA Higher Education conference, noting that the government's rationale for collecting agent data and its intended use remain unclear. This development coincides with the ongoing Labour government policy updates on immigration, where the role, and regulation of UK higher education agents remain discussion points.