Ascension : ENTRY CONTROL ORDINANCE
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 26.06.2008 (Article Archived on 10.07.2008)

At the public meeting which the Governor held on 13 June, there were indications of confusion about the status of children who are no longer considered to be dependants under the terms of their parents’ accompanied status employment contracts.

ENTRY CONTROL ORDINANCE 

YOUNG PERSONS

At the public meeting which the Governor held on 13 June, there were indications of confusion about the status of children who are no longer considered to be dependants under the terms of their parents’ accompanied status employment contracts.  This note aims to clarify the administrative position taken by AIG regarding the entry control status of such young persons.

Once a child reaches an age at which he/she is no longer considered to be a dependant under a parent’s contract (usually this is at age 18), that child is no longer supported on Ascension by the employer. Contrary to rumour, that does not mean the child has to leave the island. The child may stay on with his/her parents but the child’s entry control status on Ascension must be regularised. For that to happen the child must apply, preferably shortly before the appropriate birthday, for an entry permit in his/her own right as a “visitor”. In addition, because the parent’s contract would no longer provide any medical or transport costs, evidence of private medical insurance which includes provision for medical evacuation, must be produced. This is standard for all visitors to Ascension and ensures that AIG is not held liable for any potential medical expenses that might arise. Finally of course the parent’s employer must be content that a person who is no longer a dependant may stay on in its employee accommodation, possibly for some time. The latter is not an issue for AIG except insofar as it refers to its own employees.

As far as government is concerned if these criteria are met, there is no particular time limit for a young person in these circumstances to stay with his/her parents on Ascension, although it should be noted that visitor entry permits are not open-ended. In general therefore visitor entry permits for young persons in this category will be issued for six months at a time or until the first planned absence from the island, whichever comes first. Thereafter extensions or further entry permits can be applied for periodically.

Also it is not a problem if such young persons wish to seek work while they are on Ascension with visitor status. If they were successful in obtaining a job they should then apply for a change to their entry control status, which normally would be granted. The work sought must however be properly contracted work, which provides accommodation. No other form of employment may be taken by any visitors to Ascension.

Any requests for further clarification regarding the implementation of this arrangement should be addressed to me directly.

Michael Hill

Administrator

23 June 2008