Chapter 18 - Entry for non-work permit employment

18.7 - Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations ( Rules Paragraphs 136-143 )

Purpose of the requirement
The Rules provide for the admission of correspondents and representatives employed by overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations assigned to the UK on a long-term full-time salaried basis. Staff coming for less than six months for short-term assignments can be considered as business visitors provided they qualify as such.

Applicants must have been engaged outside the UK and be directly involved in newsgathering for publication or broadcast abroad. Employees other than journalists may be considered, for example, producers, news cameramen and front of camera.

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 representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation are that:

• he/she has been engaged by the organisation abroad and is being posted to the UK on a long-term assignment as a representative of that organisation;
• intends to work full-time as a representative of the foreign newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation;
• does not intend to work other than in this capacity;
• can be maintained and accommodated (along with any dependants) adequately without recourse to public funds.

Entry clearance endorsements
Applicants in this category should be given entry clearance endorsed ‘D: EMPLOYMENT WITH.........'. CODE 4 up to 2 years. Normally the full 2 years should be granted.

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

Spouses/civil partners and dependent children ( Rules Paragraphs 194-199 )

Prior entry clearance is mandatory.

The entry clearance requirements for spouses/civil 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 )
There is also a provision for unmarried or same-sex partners to enter the UK as dependants persons with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK under Paragraphs 128-193, 200-239 or 263-270. The requirements to be met are:

1. the applicant is the unmarried or same-sex partner of a person who has limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under Paragraphs 128-193, 200-239 or 263-270 and
2. any previous marriage or civil partnership (or similar relationship) by either partner has permanently broken down; and
3. the parties are not involved in a consanguineous relationship with one another; and
4. the parties have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership which has subsisted for 2 years or more; and
5. each of the parties intends to live with the other as his partner during the applicant's stay; and
6. there will be adequate accommodation for the parties and any dependants without recourse to public funds in accommodation which they own or occupy exclusively; and
7. the parties will be able to maintain themselves and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds; and
8. the applicant does not intend to stay in the United Kingdom beyond any period of leave granted to his partner; and
9. if seeking leave to enter, the applicant holds a valid United Kingdom entry clearance for entry in this capacity or, if seeking leave to remain, was admitted with a valid United Kingdom entry clearance for entry in this capacity.

Back to Chapter 18