Immigration, Passports and Nationality
FAQs
Passport Questions...
- How do I get a Manx passport?
- Who can countersign my application?
- Does my child need a passport?
- Counter-signatures for a child's passport - Does the countersignatory need to have known the child or the parent?
- Does a parent need to submit their own passport, on which their child is named, with the application for their child's passport?
- Can I get some help filling in my application form?
- What does section 2 mean?
- What do I do if the name I use on a daily basis is different to that on my birth certificate?
- How do I get my passport in my married name to use on honeymoon and can I travel using my maiden name after I am married?
- Who can sign my child's passport (under 12)?
- I've lost my passport - what do I do?
- My disabled child can't sign the form - what can I do?
- If a child is in care who signs on their application?
- How long is a child's passport valid for?
- My child is on my passport at present - is it still valid?
- Some people tell me that as a British Citizen I don't need a British passport to travel to other countries in continental Europe, is this right?
- Why do I need a specified validity period remaining on my passport to travel to certain countries?
- Where do I apply for a British Passport if I am a British National resident outside the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or United Kingdom?
Immigration Questions...
- I am a British citizen. What do I have to do to live in the Isle of Man?
- I am an Irish citizen. Can I come and live on the Isle of Man?
- I am a European Economic Area (EEA) national. Am I able to come and live and work on the Isle of Man?
- I am a foreign national. What are the requirements if I want to come and live on the Isle of Man?
- So how do I apply?
- How long does it take?
- How do I become a Manx citizen?
Nationality Questions...
- Can I be naturalised as a British citizen?
- How do I apply for naturalisation?
- How much does it cost?
- Can I get help filling in my form?
- Who can act as a referee?
- How long does it take?
- What if my application is refused?
- Can I be a citizen of two countries?
- How do you register children as British Citizens?
Answers
Passport Answers...
| Q | How do I get a Manx passport? |
|---|---|
| A | You can't. There is actually no such thing as a "Manx" passport. The Isle of Man Passport Office only issues British passports to those British Citizens resident in the Isle of Man, to Isle of Man born applicants who live in the United Kingdom or Channel Islands and to applicants who apply in person at the public counter within the office. |
| Q | Who can countersign my application? |
| A | After you have completed the form in full Section 7 should be completed and signed by one of the people below who has known you personally for at least two years and is a British citizen and passport holder. (In the case of a child's application the form should be signed by someone of the relevant standing who has personally known the person who signs the declaration at Section 8 rather than the child). Accountant Articled Clerk of a Limited Company Assurance Agent of Recognised Company Bank/Building Society Official Barrister Broker Chairman/Director of Limited Company Chemist Chiropodist Christian Science Practitioner Commissioner of Oaths Councillor: Local or County Civil Servant (permanent) Dentist Engineer (with professional Qualifications) Fire Service Official Funeral Director Insurance agent (full time) of a recognised Company Journalist Justice of the Peace Legal Secretary (members and fellows of the Institute of legal secretaries) Local Government Officer Manager/Personnel Officer (of Limited Company) Member of Tynwald or Parliament Merchant Navy Officer Minister of a recognised religion Nurse (SRN and SEN) Officer of the armed services (Active or Retired) Optician Person with Honours (eg OBE MBE etc) Person with recognised qualification (eg BSc, PhD etc) Photographer (Professional) Police Officer Post Office Official President/Secretary of a recognised organisation Salvation Army Officer Social Worker Solicitor Surveyor Teacher, Lecturer Trade Union Officer Travel Agency (Qualified) Valuers and auctioneers (fellow and associate members of the incorporated society) Warrant officers and Chief Petty Officers Or persons of similar standing to the above, working or retired, are acceptable as countersignatories. Relatives should not countersign passport applications. The work of the Passport Office includes a check to confirm that the countersignature is genuine. In certain cases you may be asked to produced further documentary evidence of identity. |
| Q | Does my child need a passport? |
| A | All children, from new-born babies to the age of 15, must now have their own individual passport. Once they reach their 16th birthday they then become eligible for a standard 10-year passport. Children included on passports before 5th October 1998: Before 5th October 1998 many children were already included on a valid passport. These children can still continue to travel abroad with the passport holder until either: The valid passport is submitted for amendment: The passport on which the child is included is submitted for amendment (remember, children cannot be re-added to passports which are submitted for amendment). In these circumstances, you will need to apply for separate passports for any children who were previously included on your passport. When your child becomes 16: Once your child reaches 16 years of age they will require their own passport and their details must be removed from yours. Please enclose your passport with your child's application and it will be returned once the details have been deleted. Please note that for all child applications the FULL birth certificate is required. This certificate shows the parents' details. From 26 October 2004 all children travelling to the USA require their own passport. |
| Q | Counter-signatures for a child's passport - Does the counter signatory need to have known the child or the parent? |
| A | In the case of a child Section 7 should be signed by someone of the relevant standing who has personally known the person who signs the declaration at Section 8 rather than the child. |
| Q | Does a parent need to submit their own passport, on which their child is named, with the application for their child's passport? |
| A | Yes. When you submit your child's application form your passport should be enclosed. The passport will be returned once the details have been deleted. |
| Q | Can I get some help filling in my application form? |
| A | Yes. For advice and guidance please contact the Passport Office on 01624 685208. |
| Q | What does section 2 mean? |
| A | If you have acquired British nationality by naturalisation or registration then you should hold a certificate confirming details of your claim to British Citizenship. |
| Q | What do I do if the name I use on a daily basis is different to that on my birth certificate? |
| A | Whatever the reason for changing your name from that on your birth certificate, we will need to see some form of documentary evidence detailing the date and circumstances of that change included with your correctly completed standard application form. For married or divorced women we will need to see either your marriage or divorce certificate. For children whose name has changed as a result of the mother's re-marriage you should contact you local Passport Office for further help and advice. |
| Q | How do I get my passport in my married name to use on honeymoon and can I travel using my maiden name after I am married? |
| A | If you have recently changed your name or plan to in the very near future it will be necessary to have your passport amended if you plan to travel abroad. There are so many things to organise when getting married that changing your name on your passport may get overlooked. Some countries might not accept an unamended passport even if you carry your marriage certificate (you can check this with your travel agent or the country's consulate), so it's well worth having the name changed on your passport well in advance. We can arrange this for you any time up to three months before the wedding, although you'll be unable to use your passport until the actual day of your marriage. You can be issued with a new standard 10-year passport. If you are already a passport holder this will mean surrendering your present passport with no refund for the unexpired time. We will then issue a new passport with the change of name which will not be validated until the date of marriage. Payment will be as for a new passport. You will need to send the following forms: A correctly completed standard M1 application form and form PD3 - completed by the person who will be conducting the ceremony. |
| Q | Who can sign my child's passport (under 12)? |
| A | Digital reproductions of the holder's signatures are now being printed in new passports so please ensure the correct person signs section 8 as laid out below: Child aged 11 years or younger: Leave the lower box at section 8 of the application form blank. No signature will be reproduced on these passports. Child aged between 12 and 15 years: The child should sign their name in the lower box at section 8. Please ensure the signature is within the box. The child's signature will be reproduced on these passports. The upper box at section 8 should be completed and signed by a parent or person with parental responsibility. |
| Q | I've lost my passport - what do I do? |
| A | If your passport is lost or stolen in the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or UK: Using the standard application form, fill in the details of your last passport in the relevant section, and also complete form LS01. Fill the remainder of the form in as if applying for the first time and enclose the relevant documents, certified photographs and payment. If your passport is lost or stolen abroad: In the event of the loss or theft of your passport while you are out of the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or UK, contact the nearest British Consulate or Embassy who will be able to advise you. |
| Q | My disabled child can't sign the form - what can I do? |
| A | A declaration by the person responsible for the child's welfare (e.g. a parent or doctor) is acceptable. This should be explained in Section 6, i.e. that the applicant is disabled and that he/she as parent / doctor etc has signed on applicant's behalf. |
| Q | If a child is in care who signs on their application? |
| A | Children who are in care or are placed with foster parents need to meet additional legal requirements before a passport can be issued. You will need to contact the Passport Office on 01624 685208 for further advice. |
| Q | How long is a child's passport valid for? |
| A | A child's passport is valid for 5 years. |
| Q | My child is on my passport at present - is it still valid? |
| A | Before 5th October 1998 many children were included on a passport. These passports continue to remain valid and the child/children can still continue to travel abroad with the passport holder until either:
They reach the age of 16 The passport on which they are included expires The passport on which they are included is submitted for amendment Remember, children cannot be re-added to passports which are submitted for amendment. In these circumstances, you will need to apply for separate passports for any children who were previously included on your passport. From 26 October 2004 all children travelling to the USA require their own passport. |
| Q | Some people tell me that as a British Citizen I don't need a British passport to travel to other countries in continental Europe, is this right? |
| A | For all the countries of Europe (apart from the Irish Republic) people travelling from the United Kingdom need to have a valid passport to comply with immigration and other controls. Some continental European countries have abandoned routine passport checks at their frontiers but they all expect visitors to be able to provide evidence of identity and nationality by way of a valid passport or national identity card while in their country. British travellers must therefore have a standard 10-year British passport. |
| Q | Why do I need a specified validity period remaining on my passport to travel to certain countries? |
| A | Some overseas countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after entry to that country. The holding of a British passport does not exempt the holder from complying with these requirements. If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the country of destination before you make your final travel plans. Any questions should be addressed to their consulate or embassy. Your travel agent will also be able to give you advice on this matter. |
| Q | Where do I apply for a British Passport if I am a British National resident outside the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or United Kingdom? |
| A | For information on where to apply for your passport you will need to visit the Foreign and Commonwealth website at www.fco.gov.uk and view the entry British Diplomatic Missions. The Isle of Man Passport Office only issues British passports to those British Citizens resident in the Isle of Man, to Isle of Man born applicants who live in the United Kingdom or Channel Islands and to applicants who apply in person at the public counter within the office. |
Immigration Answers...
| Q | I am a British citizen. What do I have to do to live in the Isle of Man? |
|---|---|
| A | If you are a British citizen you do not require any clearance from the Immigration Office to live in the Isle of Man, but you may require a work permit issued under the Isle of Man Control of Employment Acts if you want to work on the Island (or take up self-employment). |
| Q | I am an Irish citizen. Can I come and live on the Isle of Man? |
| A | Yes, but you may need a work permit if you want to work or take up self-employment. |
| Q | I am a European Economic Area (EEA) national. Am I able to come and live and work on the Isle of Man? |
| A | Yes, providing you are not excluded on grounds of public policy (EEA nationals are expected to be able to support themselves without assistance from public funds), public health or public security. But you may need a work permit issued under the Control of Employment Acts if you want to work or take up self employment. |
| Q | I am a foreign national. What are the requirements if I want to come and live on the Isle of Man? |
| A | The admission of foreign nationals is regulated by the Isle of Man Immigration Rules. The Rules lay down the requirements for the entry and stay of foreign nationals in the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man Rules, whilst not identical to the United Kingdom (UK) Rules, are based on the UK Rules and are very similar. However, they are not identical and there are some provisions in the UK Rules that do not apply here and some in the Isle of Man Rules that do not apply in the UK. There are also, as in the UK, provisions in the Rules that apply only to Commonwealth citizens. It is important that people interested in emigrating to the Isle of Man check to see what the requirements are as it may be that an entry clearance is required. Without the necessary entry clearance the passenger may be refused entry to the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man. The requirements are laid down in a Statutory Document called "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules" available from the Tynwald library for £10.00 (www.tynwald.org.im). You should check with the library though as they may require a contribution towards the cost of posting them to you. The UK Immigration Rules are published on the internet at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/ |
| Q | So how do I apply? |
| A | Applications from foreign nationals to live on the Isle of Man should be made to the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to wherever you normally live. The Embassy will deal with the preliminary processing of the application and send it to the Isle of Man for a decision to be made. |
| Q | How long does it take? |
| A | It varies, but applicants are advised to allow at least 6 months for applications to be dealt with. However, straightforward cases can sometimes be dealt with in a few weeks. If you are planning to apply for entry clearance you should ask the office you will be dealing with how long it is likely to take to process your application. You should tell them that you want to live in the Isle of Man. |
| Q | How do I become a Manx citizen? |
| A | You can't. Manx people are actually British citizens deriving their nationality from the provisions of the British Nationality Acts. |
Further information see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Nationality Answers...
| Q | Can I be naturalised as a British citizen? |
|---|---|
| A | If you are over 18 and have been living in the United Kingdom for the last five years (or three years if you are married to or a civil partner of a British citizen) you may be able to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. |
| Q | How do I apply for Naturalisation |
| A | Application forms and guidance notes are available in the Nationality section of the above website. A separate application form will be required for each adult applying for Naturalisation. Carefully read through all the notes and complete the forms – providing all required documentation. Once your application form is completed please contact 01624 685208 to arrange an appointment.
PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance of an application form does not mean that your application will be successful. |
| Q | How much does it cost? |
| A | Prices for Naturalisation and Registration are listed on the Additional Guidance Notes which are available to download on the Nationality section of this website. |
| Q | Can I get help filling in my form? |
| A | We cannot complete the forms for you. Once you have completed the form and are ready to submit your application you will be advised to make an appointment with the Nationality officer. During that appointment the Nationality officer will complete a quick check of the form and documents supplied prior to taking payment. The Nationality Officer WILL NOT check the information you have provided, it is your responsibility to ensure everything is correct with your application. PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance of an application form does not mean that your application will be successful. |
| Q | Who can act as a referee? |
| A | A list of acceptable referees is available for download on the Nationality section of this website. |
| Q | How long does it take to be Naturalised? |
| A | Naturalisation applications are usually processed within 6 months. If your application is successful you will be invited to attend a Citizenship Ceremony where you will be presented with your Naturalisation certificate. Once you have completed the Citizenship Ceremony you can apply for a British passport. |
| Q | What if my application is refused? |
| A | If your application is unsuccessful, we will write to tell you why. Although there is no legal right of appeal or review, you may write to us if you believe that our decision to refuse your application was wrong. You will need to show that our decision was not soundly based on nationality law or the current policy or procedure.
If you write to ask us to review our decision, you must explain why you think we have not correctly applied the law and policy in your case.
PLEASE NOTE: No refund is available in cases where an application has been refused – although the citizenship ceremony element of the fee may be refunded, this is currently £80.00. |
| Q | Can I be a citizen of two countries? |
| A | You do not need to give up your present citizenship or nationality to become a British citizen. However, many countries will not let you have two nationalities (dual nationality). Before you apply for British citizenship you may wish to check what your position would be with the authorities of the country of which you are a citizen. |
| Q | How do you register children as British Citizens? |
| A | Registration forms and guidance notes are available on the Nationality section of the above website. A separate application form will be required for each child applying for Registration. The child must be under 18 on the day we receive the application. Once the child turns 18 he or she will need to apply as an adult. Carefully read through all the notes and complete the forms – providing all required documentation. Once your application form is completed please contact 01624 685208 to arrange an appointment. PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance of an application form does not mean that your application will be successful. |
Further information see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
