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Immigration Rules and Associated Policy

New Immigration Rules in effect from 15 December 2022

New Immigration Rules have come into effect from 15 December 2022. The changes made have been to the Island’s Ukraine Extension Scheme. The Ukraine Extension Scheme is one of the 3 visa routes for Ukrainians and their families fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, and enables them to remain in the Island, where their existing visa is due to expire.

The changes expand the eligibility of applicants, such that applicants who have held leave between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2023 will be able to extend their leave for 3 years under this Scheme. A deadline of 16 November 2023 to the Ukraine Extension Scheme has also been introduced, meaning applicants to this Scheme will need to make an application on or before this date if they wish to apply.

New Immigration Rules in effect from 03 May 2022

New Immigration Rules have come into effect from 03 May 2022. The changes made have been to introduce to the Island’s Immigration Rules Appendix U: Ukraine Scheme. This Appendix sets out the 3 immigration routes that can be used by those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to come to the Island.

These new routes include:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme: This allows Ukrainian nationals and their close family members to join a relative in the Isle of Man. The relative must be a British citizen, be settled (which includes Irish citizens and those with indefinite leave to remain) or those with limited leave to remain (with a few exceptions, such as visitors).

  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: This Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their close family members to join a Safe Host in the Isle of Man. There does not need to be any family connection between the applicants and their Safe Host. The Safe Host however must be approved as such in accordance with the Isle of Man Homes for Ukraine Scheme that is to be operated by the Cabinet Office Ukraine Support Team. Verification that the applicant’s host has been approved as a Safe Host by the Ukraine Support Team will be made as part of the visa application.

  • Ukraine Extension Scheme: Under this Scheme, Ukrainian nationals and their dependants who have been in the Isle of Man with valid leave before 18 March 2022 under any other immigration route, may apply under this Scheme to stay in the Island on this route. Short periods of overstaying may be ignored.

Immigration Rules

The Immigration Rules are made by the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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.

The Isle of Man Immigration Rules, whilst not identical to the United Kingdom (UK) Immigration Rules, are based on the UK Rules and are very similar. However, they are not identical and there are some provisions within the UK Rules that do not apply here and some in the Isle of Man Immigration Rules that do not apply in the UK. There are also, as in the UK, provisions within the Isle of Man Immigration Rules that apply only to Commonwealth citizens.

Sponsor Licensing Policy

The Sponsor Licensing policies are made by the Council of Ministers and outline the practice to be followed in the administration of sponsor licences for employers and academic institutions wishing to sponsor applicants on the on the Tier 4 and Tier 5 routes.

Confirmation of Employment Policy

This policy sets out the conditions that must be met if an Appendix W migrant wishes to make a change in their employment circumstances.

Immigration Recognition of UK Visas Policy

This policy sets out the circumstances in which specified UK visas may be recognised in the Isle of Man, without requiring an application to be made under the Isle of Man Immigration Rules.

Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules

The Statement of Changes document sets out the changes to the Isle of Man Immigration Rules and the date on which the changes apply.

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