Immigration: Permissions and Conditions
Individuals granted Immigration Permission in the Isle of Man are subject to conditions that determine what they can and cannot do while they remain in the Island. These conditions vary depending on the type of Immigration Permission that has been granted and may affect matters such as employment, study, access to public funds, and the ability to bring family members.
This page provides a central source of information for visa holders, employers and other organisations about the conditions attached to the different types of Immigration Permission issued by the Isle of Man Immigration Service. It is intended to help individuals understand their rights and responsibilities, and to assist employers and service providers in understanding the conditions that may apply.
The information below is an overview of the most common conditions. You should always refer to the specific conditions attached to your own Immigration Permission, as these will take precedence if they differ from the general information provided on this page. The conditions attached to your permission are legally binding and you must continue to comply with them throughout your period of permission.
The contents of this page are not applicable to British and Irish Citizens.
On this page
Right to Work
Most Isle of Man Immigration Permissions either don't impose an Immigration restriction on Work or allow Work subject to certain conditions. However, this does not mean that a person has a Right to Work in the Isle of Man. Anyone working on the Isle of Man must also meet the requirements of the Control of Employment Act 2014.
Any person who is engaged in employment or self-employment on the Isle of Man is required to comply with the Control of Employment Act [2014].
This may involve obtaining a Work Permit if you are not considered to be an 'Isle of Man Worker' or otherwise exempt.
The Department for Enterprise must be notified of Exempted employment. All other employments and self-employments require the holder to obtain a work permit.
Details about the work permit system can be found on the work permits page.
Certain holders of an Immigration Permission will also require a Work Permit to work in the Isle of Man.
Immigration Employment Document
The following Immigration permissions impose specific conditions relating to employment on the holder:
- Worker Migrant
- Worker (ICT) Migrant
- Business Migrant
- Tier 1 Migrant
- Student
- Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Migrant
Holders of any of these Visa types are considered to have an Immigration Employment Document (IED)
An IED is evidence that a person holds an immigration status which permits them to work in the Isle of Man and exempts them from the requirement to obtain a separate Work Permit.
Where an individual holds a valid IED, they may take up employment without applying for a Work Permit. However, employers must still comply with any registration requirements imposed by the Department for Enterprise, and the individual must continue to comply with any conditions attached to their immigration permission.
Holding an IED does not remove the need to comply with either immigration legislation or employment legislation. Separate requirements may continue to apply depending on the holder's immigration route and the nature of the employment.
Work Permits
Holders of immigration permissions that do not grant them an Immigration Employment Document can work in most professions provided they comply with Work Permit Requirements.
Some permissions restrict holders from working as a doctor or dentist in training or as a professional sportsperson. This will be indicated on the notification of permission letter received by that individual.
The Immigration Service & Work Permits are separate Services with their own requirements & legislation. Full information is available on the Department for Enterprise’s Work Permits website.
Access to Healthcare
Individuals granted Immigration Permission in the Isle of Man can access healthcare in the same way as other Isle of Man residents as the conditions of these Permissions do not restrict this. However, Manx Care / DHSC retain the power to charge Overseas Visitors for the healthcare they receive. For more information, please see the Manx Care website.
Buying and Renting Property
Individuals granted Immigration Permission in the Isle of Man are not subject to an Immigration restriction on buying or renting property. However, holders of Visit visas are not permitted to reside in the Isle of Man for extended periods of time by using frequent or successive visits. They are also not permitted to make the Isle of Man their main place of residence.
Access to Public Funds
An individual with Immigration Permission in the Isle of Man will have conditions attached to their immigration permission relating to access/recourse to Public Funds.
'Public funds' means access to any of the following benefits, irrespective of whether they are paid out of general revenue funds or the Manx National Insurance Fund:
a) housing provided under the Housing Acts 1955 to 1990;
b) attendance allowance, carer’s allowance and disability living allowance under Part III of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (as it has effect in the Island); (The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4) is an Act of Parliament. It has been applied to the Island by the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (Application) Order 1994 (SD 505/94).)
c) child benefit under Part IX of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (as it has effect in the Island);
d) income support and employed person’s allowance, under Part VII of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (as it has effect in the Island);
e) incapacity benefit awarded under sub section (2A) of section 30A the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (as it has effect in the Island); and
f) income-based jobseeker’s allowance under the Jobseekers Act 1995 (as it has effect in the Island).(The Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18) is an Act of Parliament. It has been applied to the Island by the Jobseekers Act 1995 (Application) Order 1996 (SD 8/96).)
This definition is set out in the Interpretation Section of the Isle of Man's Immigration Rules.
The public bodies that administer access to the above public funds have their own requirements. If a person subject to the condition 'No Access to Public Funds' accesses public funds they may have their Permission curtailed or future applications for Permission refused.
Family
Many immigration routes allow a person who has been granted Immigration Permission in the Isle of Man to bring qualifying family members (known as dependants). Whether this is permitted depends on the immigration route under which the main applicant has been granted permission.
For most routes, qualifying dependants are limited to:
- A spouse or civil partner
- An unmarried partner who meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules
- Dependent children who meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules
From 1 June 2026, eligibility to bring dependants under the Worker Migrant route has changed. Only Worker Migrant applicants granted permission working in a role listed under Appendix Skilled Occupations are eligible to bring dependants. Permissions issued prior to 1 June 2026 are unaffected by this change.
If you have been granted permission as a dependant, you must continue to meet the requirements of the immigration route on which your permission is based. If your relationship with the main applicant ends, or your family circumstances change, this may affect your Immigration Permission and any future immigration applications. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to apply for a different immigration route if you wish to remain in the Isle of Man.
Education
Most Permissions allow the holder to study. Some individuals are permitted to study without restrictions; others are subject to Appendix ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) in the Immigration Rules.
Student Visas
Student permission is granted on the basis of study with a specific sponsoring education provider.
The sponsoring education provider is the organisation named in the student's Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Students are normally only permitted to study with their sponsoring education provider.
- Study may also be undertaken at a partner institution of the sponsoring education provider where this forms part of the course
- Students who make a valid application to change to a new sponsoring education provider may begin studying with the new sponsor before a decision is made, provided the application is supported by a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the new sponsor
Curtailment
If you fail to comply with the conditions of your permission, action may be taken under the Immigration Act 1971 (as extended to the Isle of Man) to cancel or curtail your permission. You may be issued a notice confirming that your permission has been cancelled or curtailed (shortened), to end on a date specified on the notice.
Visit Visas
A Visit Visa allows you to come to the Isle of Man for a temporary stay for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings, undertaking permitted paid engagements, or carrying out other activities allowed under the Immigration Rules.
Visit Visa holders:
- Cannot access public funds
- Cannot work, except for the limited activities that visitors are specifically permitted to undertake under Appendix V: Visa Permitted Activities
- Cannot study, other than limited study that is permitted for visitors under Appendix V: Visa Permitted Activities
- May need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before undertaking certain permitted courses of study or research in sensitive subjects
- Must not use successive or frequent visits to live in the Isle of Man, as a Visit Visa is intended for temporary stays only and does not allow the Isle of Man to become your main place of residence
More information can be found the immigration: visit page.
Isle of Man Immigration Service Advice Disclaimer
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.
