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How the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network can help you

This page explains the services that the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network can provide to help carriers detect inadequately documented passengers, so reducing the potential charges we may levy against them.

The United Kingdom has a network of Immigration Liaison Managers [ILMs]* overseas, a number of whom are in locations that have been identified as major sources or transit points for inadequately documented passengers arriving in the United Kingdom (sometimes known as IDAs). There is a map showing the locations of the Immigration Liaison Managers who perform this role (PDF 35K opens in new window).

All ILMs work to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code of conduct for immigration liaison officers. You can read the code of conduct on the IATA website. Their role is to offer advice and expertise to airlines with a view to preventing or disrupting the carriage of inadequately documented passengers. They do this by:

  • providing training to airline staff in United Kingdom passport and visa requirements, and forgery awareness. They are also willing to provide this to host authorities;
  • attending flight departures to give on-the-spot advice to check-in staff on the documents presented by passengers;
  • offering assistance to airlines about passengers who may be inadequately documented for travel to the United Kingdom but who are nonetheless admissible there and who, without the ILM's advice, may be prevented from travelling; and
  • developing and maintaining effective working relationships with airlines, local airport authorities and other countries' liaison officers.

ILMs have no legal powers abroad, so they cannot therefore:

  • instruct an airline to deny boarding to a passenger. ILMs are only able to give advice on whether a passenger is correctly documented. The final decision on whether or not to carry a passenger is solely a matter for the airline; or
  • investigate, arrest or prosecute criminals engaged in illegal migration. They will, where appropriate, offer their assistance in identifying those involved.

In addition to their permanent locations, ILMs may have responsibility for a number of other countries in the region and offer similar advice and training to carriers there. In this way more than 120 countries are covered by ILMs. To see if your region benefits from this service, please contact our headquarters at the email address below.

Operational and management support is provided seven days a week by a team of over 30 staff at the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network Operation Centre in the United Kingdom. If you feel that the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network could assist you, or if you would like to request training, please contact us by email at: ALOnetwork.DutyOfficer@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.


* Immigration Liaison Manager (ILM) is a new title which encompasses officers/posts previously known as Airline Liaison Officers and Risk Assessment Managers. ILMs are part of the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network (RALON). RALON was established following the creation of the UK Border Agency International Group on 1 April 2008 and is an amalgamation of the former Airline Liaison Officer Network and Risk Assessment Units at visa services.

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