FAQs

A fee is payable on submission of an application. The fee is usually paid by the employer.

The Department aims to process over half of all correctly completed work permit applications within 3 working days; and in practice, approximately 80% or more of applications are being processed within 2 working days at the moment. An application referred to the Work Permit Committee is likely to take longer.

EEA nationals are normally free to move to the Isle of Man and take up residence without the need for permission. However, an EEA national wishing to take up employment (including self-employment) must obtain a work permit, unless he or she is an Isle of Man worker or the employment is exempt. 

A non EEA national will not require a work permit provided he or she has an immigration employment document. 

If requested by the Department, redacted CVs of all applicants for the post must be submitted in order to establish whether any suitable Isle of Man workers applied for the position. Such a disclosure of personal data is permitted by the Data Protection Act 2002.

No.

If you are not an Isle of Man worker, the employment is not exempted, or you do not hold an immigration employment document then you must not work in the Isle of Man except in accordance with a work permit.

Yes.

Subject to limited exceptions whereby the Department may agree to vary a permit (variation of permit) a work permit is limited to a specified employment by a specified employer. An employee may not take up employment with another employer without a new work permit.

A work permit is limited to a specified employment by a specified employer. An employee may not take up a different job with the same employer, without a new work permit, and the same procedures must be followed (including advertising, where appropriate) as before.

There are two exceptions:

• if you hold a spouse/civil partner permit (which is not limited to any particular employment or employer)
• the limited exceptions whereby the Department may agree to vary a permit (see variation of permit)

No. Where a woman is suspended from work on maternity grounds because of a statutory requirement or a relevant recommendation in a code of practice issued or approved under section 16 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (as that Act has effect in the Island) she may be employed by the same employer in suitable alternative work without the need to apply for a new permit.

If the employment is to continue past the date of expiry of the work permit, the employer (or self-employed person) must apply for the permit to be renewed. It is not necessary to fill out a new application form; the permit includes a renewal form which can be sent to the work permit office. (see Apply for or renew a work permit) .

An application for renewal must be made not less than 28 days before the expiry of the permit. A fee of £60 is payable for each year, or part thereof, that the permit is requested for (see further at Fees).

It is a criminal offence for a person who is not an Isle of Man worker to work in the Island, or for a person to employ any person who is not an Isle of Man worker in the Island. Such an offence may be punished by custody for up to 3 months or a fine of up to £5,000, or both.

It is also an offence, punishable by custody for up to 6 months or a fine of up to £7,500, or both, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement to obtain a work permit.

It is also an offence to:

fail to comply with a condition attached to an exemption or to a work permit, with a maximum fine of £1,000.

The Work Permit Committee normally meets every third Wednesday (although other days can be used depending upon members' other commitments). Meetings can be more frequent or less frequent depending upon business needs. Please note that only a minority of applications are referred for the Committee's personal consideration.

The scheduled date of the forthcoming meeting is:

• Thursday 22 August 2019
• Wednesday 11 September 2019
• Wednesday 9 October 2019
• Tuesday 29 October 2019

If the conviction is of a kind falling within section 10 of the 2014 Act (see criminal records) then you must notify the Department of your conviction and your automatic permit will be revoked. In such circumstances you could apply for an ordinary work permit, although the conviction would be taken into consideration.

If the conviction does not fall within section 10 then your automatic permit will not be affected.

If the conviction is of a kind falling within section 10 of the 2014 Act (see criminal records) you will no longer be entitled to continue to use the exemption and your continued employment would be unlawful. In such circumstances you could apply for an ordinary work permit, although the conviction would be taken into consideration.

If the conviction does not fall within section 10 then you and your employer may continue to rely upon the exemption.

Your educational establishment should be able to provide written confirmation as to whether any course undertaken is 'full time' or not.

No. Your ability to speak English is something that the Department may take into account when considering your application. However, not speaking English as your first language is not a sufficient reason for refusing to grant a permit.