The Isle of Man Government is inviting views on a proposal to require passengers travelling with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company to carry identification when they travel.
This consultation seeks stakeholders’ initial views on the principles and scope of the proposal. Feedback will inform further policy work to assess the detailed arrangements required to implement and operate changes in practice. The proposal forms part of the Government's Securing Our Island Strategy, which aims to protect the Island from evolving threats and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.
While airline passengers are familiar with requirements to verify identity, even for domestic flights, ferry travel to and from the Island has historically not required identification as a condition of carriage. The proposal aims to enhance security for ferry travel in a proportionate and targeted way and to align with UK law enforcement expectations and data standards while upholding human rights and data protection obligations. It will not introduce routine immigration controls within the Common Travel Area (CTA).
What is being proposed
At this stage, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is setting out proposals to implement identification requirements for passengers travelling to and from the Isle of Man on Steam Packet services. The core elements are:
- ID at check-in: All passengers - foot passengers and those travelling with vehicles - would be required to carry valid identification at the point of check-in for all sailings. This might be checked by staff as part of a proportionate approach to ID verification and not every passenger will be checked
- Proportionate exemptions: Exemptions or special arrangements may be considered for certain passenger groups, such as minors, individuals without access to accepted forms of ID, medical evacuation or emergency travel and assisted travel needs
- Accepted forms of ID: A specified list of acceptable documents would be set out. This could include photo ID as the default and, where appropriate, a combination of alternative documents for those unable to provide photo ID
How it would be implemented
The current proposal is that the Steam Packet would implement the requirement as a condition of travel, mirroring the approach commonly used by airlines and some other regional ferry operators. It is not anticipated that the Department would introduce new legislation to impose the requirement.
Anticipated benefits
Introducing mandatory carriage of ID and proportionate checks is intended to:
- Strengthen protection against organised crime by making it harder to travel anonymously or under false details and by improving the ability to identify and disrupt criminal couriers
- Improve the accuracy of passenger manifests, supporting targeted, intelligence-led interventions and more effective multiagency working
- Enhance alignment of security measures at ports with partners across the CTA and improving the quality of data shared with partner jurisdictions for law enforcement purposes (particularly where cross-border criminality is involved), while maintaining proportionate, risk-based controls
- Provide a clear and consistent framework for passengers and operators, supporting safer, more resilient operations and public confidence
Potential impacts and considerations
The Department recognises the need to balance public protection with a positive travel experience. The following potential impacts are acknowledged and are considered as part of the consultation:
- Passenger experience: ID checks may add a step at check-in and may extend processing times at peak periods, particularly during the initial bedding-in phase
- Those without photo ID: Some residents, visitors and younger passengers may not hold photo ID. The consultation seeks views on mitigations (for example, acceptable alternative) to avoid unintended exclusion
- Privacy and data handling: Robust safeguards for how passenger information is collected, stored and shared remain essential
- Practicalities: Ticket transfers, family/group bookings and short notice changes may need operational adjustments to ensure manifests match travellers
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK said:
‘We are seeking views at this stage to help shape a proportionate proposal that protects the public while keeping travel straightforward.
‘Mandatory carriage of ID and proportionate verification checks are practical steps that strengthen our defences against organised crime, support effective policing, and align with the Securing Our Island Strategy, without introducing routine immigration controls within the CTA.’
Have your say
The consultation invites views on:
- Exemptions and special arrangements
- Do you believe certain groups should be exempt from, or require special arrangements under an ID requirement?
- Acceptable forms of identification
- What types of ID should be accepted when travelling on Steam Packet services?
- Practical impacts and challenges
- What challenges or issues might arise from introducing proportionate ID checks at check‑in?
- Effectiveness
- The DHA would like to understand public perception of the security benefits, including whether ID checks are seen as an effective tool for disrupting those who seek to exploit the Island’s transport links
How to respond
Email: PolicyAndAdmin.DHA@gov.im
Post: IOMSPC ID Consultation
Executive Office,
Department of Home Affairs Headquarters,
Tromode Road,
Douglas,
Isle of Man,
IM2 5PA
Reasonable adjustments and alternative formats
If you require this document in another format, or assistance to access or reply to the consultation, please email PolicyAndAdmin.DHA@gov.im. For queries about how the consultation has been carried out, contact the DHA Executive Office at generalenquiries.dha@gov.im or phone +44 1624 694306.
Following closure, the Department will review all responses and publish a Summary of Responses on the Consultation Hub and the Department’s website. Submissions received by the closing date will be considered, although they may not necessarily result in changes to the proposals.
The consultation is open until Monday 8 June 2026.
