Chapter 18 - Entry for non-work permit employment

18.13 - Airport-based operational ground staff of overseas owned airlines ( Rules Paragraph 178-185 )
An overseas airline which operates flights to and from the UK may transfer members of its staff to an international airport in the United Kingdom as "operational ground staff" without such appointees requiring a work permit. Operational ground staff are defined as a station manager, a security manager and a technical manager employed at an international airport in the UK. This category relates to persons employed for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of an international airline’s operating fleet.

Non-EEA nationals, whether operational or not, of British owned airlines, require work permits if they are to be based in the UK.

Prior entry clearance is mandatory.

Requirements for entry clearance
The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to enter the UK as a member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline are that he/she:

• has been transferred to the United Kingdom by an overseas-owned airline operating services to and from the UK to take up duty at an international airport as station manager, security manager or technical manager; and
• intends to work full-time for the airline concerned; and
• does not intend to take employment except within the terms of this paragraph; and
• can maintain and accommodate himself/herself and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds.

Airline Staff who require work permits
Unless they qualify otherwise under the Rules, all staff of other overseas airlines and all staff of UK airlines who are to be based in the UK are required to have work permits. Such jobs may include: flight dispatcher; traffic officer; assistant station manager; catering manager; accountant.

It is important to note that the manager and the staff of the “Town” office (as opposed to at the port) also require work permits and should not be confused with operational ground staff.

Entry clearance endorsements
Entry Clearance should be issued on Code 4 for a period of 2 years.

Applicants in this category should be given entry clearance endorsed ‘D: AIRLINE EMPLOYEE' and the letters ALE added in manuscript. This will alert the Immigration Officer at the arriving port to inform the appropriate ALE section.

Relevant foreign nationals who are granted entry clearance for longer than six months should be required to register with the police. (Refer to Rules Paragraph 325(2)(i) of the Immigration Rules).

Refusals/Appeals
Refusal of entry clearance as Airport Based Operational Grounds staff attract a full right of appeal.

Spouses and dependent children ( Rules Paragraph 194-199 )

Prior entry clearance is mandatory.

The entry clearance requirements for spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners and dependent children of persons in this category are the same as those of teachers and language assistants - see "Teachers and language assistants".

Unmarried or same-sex partners: ( Rules Paragraph 295J )

For entry clearance requirements for unmarried or same-sex partners of persons in this category see "Newspaper representatives".

Refusals/Appeals
Refusal of entry clearance as the dependant of an airport based operational ground staff of an overseas airline attract a full right of appeal, except where the principal applicant has themselves had their application for entry clearance refused.

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