Accommodation & Law

ACCOMMODATION and LAW

17

REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN GUESTS

REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN GUESTS

In an earlier section, we noted that you need only ask for passport details from ‘foreign guests’. We will now cover that category more fully, because it entails special registration procedures. Firstly, it is important that you know who qualify as foreign guests.

The following are classified as foreign guests:

People from other EU countries & People from the USA

People from other UK countries are not foreign guests. Neither are citizens of the Republic of Ireland or the Commonwealth, but that is as far as it goes. Under the definition within the British Nationality Act 1971, “a person who is neither a Commonwealth citizen nor a British protected person nor a citizen of the Republic of Ireland” is an “alien”. We prefer to call them foreign guests, but the point is the same that they must be documented in a particular way.

Full and correct documentation of foreign guests is important, given that the requirements are laid down by the Secretary of State using powers conferred by the Immigration Act 1971.

What information do we need to collect about foreign guests?

On arrival

• • • • •

Date

Their full name if over 16 years old

Their nationality

The number and place of issue of their passport

A certificate of registration or other document establishing their ID and nationality

On departure

• •

Date

The destination (and address if possible) to which they are going next

These records must be retained for at least 12 months, and be available for inspection at any time by a constable or anyone else duly authorised by the Secretary of State.

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Accommodation and Law