People travelling off the Isle of Man, or to the Island from other jurisdictions, are reminded to make sure their details are updated and to keep valid documentation with them while travelling.
What each person needs depends on their individual circumstances, and further information is detailed below.
Travel within the Common Travel Area remains unchanged
The legal requirements to travel between the jurisdictions within the Common Travel Area (CTA) have not changed.
These journeys are not subject to routine Immigration Control and travellers between CTA jurisdictions are not required by law to carry evidence of their identity or immigration status.
However, all travellers must ensure they comply with the requirements of the travel provider, or carrier, they are travelling with and ensure they have the necessary valid documentation with them. Some carriers have announced changes to what they require from their customers prior to travel. For example, some airlines now require passengers to show their passport, even for journeys inside the CTA.
Travel into the Common Travel Area and Electronic Travel Authorisations
From 25 February 2026 the United Kingdom will enforce its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme for visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries.
Holders of British or Irish passports, and those with an existing Immigration Status to live, work or study in the Isle of Man or UK, do not need an ETA. However, anyone travelling to the UK from elsewhere will need to demonstrate that they:
- Are a British or Irish Citizen, or
- Hold an Immigration Status (including a Visit Visa), or
- Hold an ETA
From the 25 February, travellers requiring an ETA will be asked by carriers to provide evidence before being allowed to travel to the UK.
The Isle of Man will launch its own corresponding ETA scheme in the near future.
What each traveller needs depends on their individual circumstances
Those with a British or Irish passport should check its validity and make sure they carry it with them when travelling. Dual nationals must travel to the CTA using either:
- A valid British passport or Irish passport
- Any other valid passport with a certificate of entitlement
Those holding an Isle of Man immigration Status – whether it be to visit, live, work or study – must ensure they take any relevant additional documentation with them when travelling between jurisdictions. This takes the form of visa vignettes, wet ink stamps or status letters. If holders have changed their personal details or travel document since their last Immigration Permission, they should contact the Immigration Service to update their details prior to travel.
Those wishing to update their personal details should contact the Immigration Service at immigration@gov.im
More information is available online at the immigration page on the gov.im website.
Users can also find the public counter hours for Passports, Immigration and Nationality services on the gov.im website.
