Immigration
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Notice: eVisas
From 1 July 2026, people granted Entry Clearance to come to the Isle of Man will no longer be issued with a sticker/label known as a visa vignette in their passport as evidence of their immigration permission.
Instead, their immigration status will be recorded digitally. For more information, read our news release.
This digital status is not an eVisa. It does, however, form part of the Isle of Man's move towards eVisas, which is a key priority for the Isle of Man Immigration Service and represents the next phase of the digital transition process.
If you hold an immigration status granted by the Isle of Man Immigration Service, you are not required to create a customer account or access an eVisa at this time. Physical documents granted by the Isle of Man (Vignette, Wet ink stamp in passport) before 1 July 2026 remain valid.
Individuals holding physical immigration documents granted by the United Kingdom - for example: biometric residence permits (BRPs) - are being asked to create an online account to access their immigration status.
Isle of Man Government Officers are working closely with counterparts in the UK Home Office to formulate and implement a comparable scheme in the Isle of Man. Further announcements will be made on this in due course.
Immigration fees increase from 1 August 2026
From 1 August 2026, some immigration fees will increase to realign with the fee structure in the United Kingdom. The increases are:
- FLR Start Up: from £625 to £666
- FLR Innovator: from £1590 to £1693
- SET Innovator: from £3029 to £3226
- Worker Migrant: from £885 to £943
- Worker Migrant 3 years plus: from £1751 to £1865
- Worker ICT Migrant: from £885 to £943
- Worker Migrant Health and Care: from £304 to £324
- Worker Migrant Health and Care 3 years plus: from £590 to £628
- SET W: from £3029 to £3226
- Student FLR: from £524 to £558
- FLR (M): from £1321 to £1407
- FLR (DEP): matches the main applicant’s price
- FLR (O): from £1321 to £1407
- SET (DV): from £3029 to £3226 (or free if destitute)
- SET (F): from £3029 to £3226
- SET (M): from £3029 to £3226
- SET (DEP): from £3029 to £3226
- SET(O): from £3029 to £3226
Key changes from 1 June 2026
- Updated occupation classifications and salary requirements to align to UK standards
- Greater focus on higher-skilled roles, with medium-skilled roles only considered through a new Isle of Man Shortage Occupation List
- A new Sequential Labour Market Test prioritising recruitment from the Isle of Man and the Common Travel Area before overseas recruitment
- Stronger employer compliance requirements
- Tighter rules around dependants and changing employers during the first 12 months of a Visa
These changes will only apply to new applications. Existing Worker Migrant visa holders already living and working on the Island will not be affected.
Further information can be found on the Workers, Employers and Immigration Rules and Associated Policy web pages.
Existing worker migrant visa holders FAQ's.
New worker migrant applicants FAQ's.
Worker migrant visa route FAQ's - for businesses.
Isle of Man Higher Skilled List.
Visa processing times - April 2026
We are entering our peak Visa application period, and as a result, Visa processing times may be longer than usual. We encourage applicants to submit their applications in a timely manner and ensure all required documentation is provided to help avoid additional delays.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this busy period. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase travel tickets or make bookings which cannot be cancelled prior to the issuance of a Visa.
International travel for IOM Immigration Permission Holders
The Service is aware of travel disruption for holders of our Immigration Permissions. To assist holders and carriers please see our webpage and factsheet for the latest information.
Working in the Isle of Man’s territorial waters
The following information, published in March 2026, is designed to clarify the legal position on immigration and employment requirements for individuals who are not British or Irish citizens and who are working on fishing vessels operating within Isle of Man territorial waters.
There have been no recent changes to the Isle of Man’s visa or immigration requirements for foreign nationals working in the Island’s waters. The compliance activity around this position has not changed and there are no immediate plans to make any changes.
Non‑CTA nationals* are required to obtain a valid immigration permission before engaging in employment within the Isle of Man’s territorial waters. This includes securing appropriate entry clearance under the established Worker Migrant Visa framework, supported by a Confirmation of Employment (CoE) issued by an Isle of Man employer.
General mutual recognition of Immigration Leave (visas) between the Isle of Man and the UK is provided for in Schedule 4 of the Immigration Act 1971. While the CTA allows freedom of travel, the ability to work is set out within the conditions of the visa granted.
Where a visa is granted with a condition of working for a specified employer in the UK that condition cannot transfer between the different members of the CTA, therefore:
A UK Skilled worker visa cannot be used for the purpose of work on the Isle of Man including IoM Waters. This is because it requires sponsored employment by a UK registered sponsor and comes with the condition that the holder must work and reside in the UK.
References have been made to a ‘transit visa’ but this is absolutely not a visa and grants no permission to work. A Transit permission cannot be used for the purpose of work on the Isle of Man including IoM Waters. This is because the conditions of a transit permission are for people passing through the UK and Crown Dependencies to another country and therefore holders are not permitted to work. A holder of a UK Transit visa can pass through IoM Waters, but they are not able to work in IoM Waters.
The position above has been in force since the UK introduced their Transit visa in 2014 and UK Skilled Worker visa in 2020.
The Isle of Man’s independent work permit system under the Control of Employment Act also remains unchanged.
While some occupations may be exempt from work permit requirements, all non‑CTA nationals must continue to comply with immigration rules, including the requirement to obtain entry clearance depending on their nationality and proposed employment.
The Isle of Man Government encourages all vessel operators, employers, and recruitment partners to ensure full and ongoing compliance with existing legislation. The current frameworks governing work authorisation and immigration permissions remain in full effect.
Mindful of the operational challenges this presents for parts of the fishing sector, including those vessels that have traditionally fished in Manx waters under longstanding arrangements, discussions between the Isle of Man Government and the relevant Northern Ireland authorities to support a clear and workable approach going forward, and one that provides certainty for vessel operators while upholding the respective legislative requirements are underway.
For further information, stakeholders should consult the following established resources:
- Isle of Man Immigration Service – Worker Migrant Visa Guidance
- Isle of Man Government Work Permit Overview
- Control of Employment Act Guidance Notes
*nationals of the Common Travel Area (CTA) refer specifically to British citizens and Irish citizens.
Notes:
- Irish nationals, as CTA citizens, do not require an immigration visa to work in the Isle of Man - but do require a work permit (unless exempt)
- The work permit exemption is for 'employment in a vessel' and only relates to work permits, not immigration visas
- This work permit exemption typically applies to sea based employment, which covers crew working on fishing vessels operating in Isle of Man waters
- A worker who is the holder of an 'immigration employment document' (IED) is exempt from the requirement for a work permit
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs)
You can find more information with the following link:
Isle of Man Immigration Service Processing Times
Our Vision
To protect our borders and maximise revenue collection leading to a safer and more prosperous Island community.
Our Values
Professionalism, Accountability, Teamwork, Honesty, Integrity and Respect.
Our values are crucial because they define who we are as a division and shape how we serve the Island community.
Ukraine Visas and Immigration
On 3 May 2022, new Immigration Rules came into operation which formally set out the Island's Ukraine Scheme immigration routes under the new Appendix U: Ukraine Scheme.
There are currently two routes for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine: the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Work
The Worker Migrant and Worker (Intra Company Transfer) routes enable Isle of Man employers to employ non-settled workers for genuine full-time vacancies that cannot be filled by a Settled Worker. The Work pages contain guidance for workers and employers, as well as the links to apply for these visas.
Visit
For those who want to visit the Isle of Man for a temporary period, (usually for up to 6 months), for purposes such as tourism, visiting friends or family, carrying out a business activity, or undertaking a short course of study. The visit page contains further information including for those seeking to come to the Isle of Man to marry or form a civil partnership.
Business/ Invest
The current Business Migrant routes are Start-up and Innovator. These routes are for a person coming to the Isle of Man for business related reasons. The Isle of Man's Tier 1 routes; Investor, Entrepreneur & Graduate Engineer are now closed to new applications.
Settle
There are 5 routes you can apply under if you would like to settle in the Isle of Man: Entry clearance as a spouse or civil partner, Entry clearance as a family member, Spouse/Proposed Fiancé (6 months) Visa, Relative who'll provide long-term care for you, or Isle of Man/UK Ancestry.
Study
Study visas include our student routes and are for those wishing to study in the Isle of Man. Please see here for information on our Student and Child Student visas along with Sponsor Licenses and Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).
EU, EEA & Swiss
On 31 December 2020 free movement for European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens ended and as such citizens of those countries who wish to live, work, settle or study in the Isle of Man fall within immigration control and will require an appropriate immigration status (visa). Please see here for information on the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
Travel information
Please refer to this webpage if you have queries about travelling with an Isle of Man Immigration Status (a visa) within the UK or Common Travel Area.
Visa forms & fees
These forms are for people already in the Isle of Man who wish to extend their stay. To apply for Entry Clearance visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Other resources
More useful information can be found on the pages below:
Important information
The processing times for visa applications are estimates only. The processing of your application could be subject to processes and timescales of third parties over which we may have no control. The Treasury strongly advises against the booking of travel before an individual receives their grant of leave. The Treasury accepts no responsibility for travel booked by applicants that cannot be fulfilled due to their visa application not being considered before they are due to travel.
The Treasury recommends that you do not purchase tickets or make bookings which cannot be cancelled, prior to the issuance of a visa, except where it is a specific requirement stated as part of the visa application, in which case open tickets should be obtained.
The Isle of Man Immigration Service are regulators for immigration services in the Isle of Man. Accordingly, its officers are unable to give advice on immigration matters as this could result in a conflict of interest when considering an application which might be made.
The information contained within this immigration website is intended as a general guide only and should not be taken as immigration advice.
It is the responsibility of any person making an application for entry clearance or to vary their leave to satisfy themselves that they meet the requirements for the category to which they are applying before making such an application. The Isle of Man Immigration Service strongly recommends each applicant seeks their own independent legal advice from a person qualified to give immigration advice.
Information on Isle of Man Advocates who specialise in immigration law can be found on the Isle of Man Law Society website.
