Immigration / Passports

Immigration Legislation

Legislation updating and tightening the Island’s immigration laws in line with changes in the United Kingdom was laid before the April 2008 sitting of Tynwald.

The Immigration (Isle of Man) Order 2008 and related subordinate legislation extend to the Isle of Man further elements of UK immigration law. The extension of parts of the relevant UK Acts has previously been agreed by Tynwald.

The legislation includes new provisions against employers of illegal immigrants, simplifies administrative arrangements for removing illegal immigrants and introduces new measures to prevent ‘sham’ marriages undertaken purely for immigration purposes.

Also, responsibility for making detailed Immigration Rules has been transferred from the Lieutenant Governor to the Council of Ministers.

Immigration Rules

Foreign Nationals - Entry Clearance

Applications from foreign nationals to take up residence in the Isle of Man are dealt with under the provisions of the Isle of Man Immigration Rules. If the person is overseas they are likely to require an entry clearance in order to do so and should make enquiries in the first instance with their nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to see whether this is the case. Application should be made to them in the first instance and they will in turn then refer the application to this office for a decision on it to be made.

Overseas Work Permits

Foreign nationals who wish to come to the Isle of Man to work, require a work permit issued under the Overseas Labour Scheme and where necessary a visa, in order to so. Work permits are issued for a specific job with a specific employer and normally only to people with high level qualifications or occupational skills and with substantial post qualification experience. The employer is required to show that there is no one available to do the job on offer in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom or European Economic Area. Information about the Overseas Labour Scheme can be obtained from the Isle of Man Department of Trade and Industry, Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, (Telephone (44) 1624 682393), or by visiting its website - www.gov.im/dti.

Isle of Man Immigration Rules

To view a consolidated version of the current Immigration Rules, which were last updated in December 2009, please click on the following link. Alternatively, click on the pdf entitled Immigration Rules December 2009 at the foot of this page. The latest changes to this version are highlighted in italic text.

The Immigration Appeals (Procedures) Rules 1997 and the Immigration Appeals (Notices) Regulations 1997 can also be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

A paper copy of the Isle of Man Immigration Rules may be obtained from the Tynwald Library, Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PW (Telephone 01624 685520, fax 01624 685522, email: library@tynwald.org.im). The fee is £10.00 plus postage. The Library will be able to advise you about this.

The Isle of Man Immigration services operates mainly with the immigration procedures determined by the UK Border Agency.

UK Border Agency Website

UK Visas