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
