Immigration, Passports and Nationality

Immigration Offences

Report an illegal immigrant or other immigration offence

Immigration Legislation

The Immigration (Isle of Man) Order 2008 and related subordinate legislation extend to the Isle of Man relevant elements of UK Immigration Law.

Immigration Rules

The Immigration Rules are made by the Council of Ministers and outline the practice to be followed in the administration of the Immigration Acts as extended to the Isle of Man for regulating the entry into and the stay of persons in the Isle of Man.

I am a British citizen. What do I have to do to live in the Isle of Man?

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). More information can be found at http://www.gov.im/isleofman/Residency.xml

I am a European Economic Area (EEA) national. Am I able to come and live and work on the Isle of Man?

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.

I am a foreign national. What are the requirements if I want to come and live on the Isle of Man?

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.

To check if you need a visa go to: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/ If you need a visa for the United Kingdom you will need a visa for the Isle of Man.

To find out how much your visa will cost go to http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/visafees/visafeescrowndependencies

Current Immigration Rules

To view a consolidated version of the current Immigration Rules, which were last updated in November 2012, please click on Immigration Rules. Alternatively, click on the pdf entitled Immigration Rules November2012 (at the foot of this page).

Points Based System

The Points Based System has replaced most of the categories which previously applied to persons wishing to come to the Isle of Man to work or study.

Tier 1 applies to Highly Skilled Workers, Businesspersons and Investors

You do not need a job offer when you apply to enter or stay in the Isle of Man in these categories, but you will need to pass a points-based assessment.

Tier 2 applies to skilled workers with a job offer

If you have been offered a skilled job in the Isle of Man and your prospective employer is willing to sponsor you, you can apply to come or stay here to do that job.

Tier 4 applies to students with an unconditional offer of a place on a relevant course of studies

Tier 4 applicants must be sponsored by a Licensed Education Provider in the Isle of Man.

Tier 5 applies to Temporary Workers

If an employer in the Isle of Man is willing to sponsor you, or if you are a national of a country that participates in the youth mobility scheme, you may be eligible for temporary entry permitting various types of work here.

The requirements for immigrants for all the above categories, and others which allow employment outside of the Points Based System can be found in the Immigration Rules

Further information for sponsors, and applicants, under Tiers 2 and 5 can be found on the Department of Economic Development website here

Further information for sponsors and applicants under Tiers 1 and 4 can be found under Policy and Guidance on this page.

Preventing Illegal Working

This section explains the need to prevent illegal migrant working, the penalties for employing migrants who aren't entitled to work here, and how employers can ensure that they employ only legitimate workers. Illegal working hurts good business, undercuts legal workers and creates illegal profits. It also puts illegal workers themselves at great risk. By working together with employers, we can level the playing field and tackle the exploitation of vulnerable migrants. Unless an employer checks that all prospective employees have the right to work in the Isle of Man, it risks breaking the law and could receive a substantial fine.

Immigration (Restrictions on Employment) Order 2008

There are steps an employer needs to take to check their employees’ entitlement to work. The following Booklet outlines those checks and the documents an employer needs to see, and retain copies of, to ensure they have complied with the law.

Guidance for Isle of Man Employers on the Law on Preventing Illegal Working

Entry Clearance

All applications for Visa/Entry Clearance to the Isle of Man should be made at the nearest British post (Embassy, High Commission or Consulate) to the applicant’s place of residence. Most applications can be made online and the relevant UK Visa Application Form should be completed. The British post will then forward the application to the Isle of Man Immigration Office for consideration and decision.

If your visa has expired or will expire soon

This section explains how you can apply to extend your temporary permission to stay (also called 'limited leave to remain') in the Isle of Man. If you want to extend your stay, you must apply for permission to do so before your existing permission ends. If your permission has already ended, you are required to leave the country - if you do not do so, you may be liable for removal.

Before you apply to extend your permission to stay, you should ensure that you meet the requirements in your immigration category. To find out about these requirements you should check the Immigration Rules and the requirements outlined in the application form relevant to your category.