
VISITORS
When you need to visit the Isle of Man for reasons including doing business, pleasure, and visiting friends and family.
In this section
Visitors
Visitors to the Isle of Man may need to obtain a visa before travelling, and Kinley Legal is experienced in helping people navigate the complexities.
The Visitor visa covers include visits as a tourist, visiting family and friends, for business, taking part in sporting or creative events, or receiving private medical treatment.
Isle of Man Visitor visas are typically granted as a multiple-entry visa for six months. For more frequent visitors with a good immigration history, two-, five- or ten-year visitor visas are available.
Who needs a Visitor visa
Not everyone travelling to the Isle of Man for a short visit requires a visa. In line with the UK, many countries have visa-free access, and EU nationals and their family members currently benefit from different arrangements. The UK’s online tool can help identify if you are likely to need an Isle of Man Visitor visa.
Visitor visas include those for short-term study (less than six months), visits to get married or enter into a civil partnership, or for parents to visit their child attending school in the Isle of Man.
The application process
Obtaining a visitor visa is not always as straightforward as it sounds. When applying for a visitor visa, you must demonstrate your connection with your country of origin or residence, so that the decision maker can be satisfied that you will return there after your visit.
As with other Isle of Man visas, Kinley Legal typically submits the application online, and then you to attend the local British visa agency in your country of residence. If there is no British visa agency in your country, it may be necessary to visit a British visa agency in another country.
Making a mistake or using incorrect information or documents in a visitor visa application can have repercussions. In serious cases this can include potentially being banned from obtaining visas for 10 years.
Kinley Legal’s advice is often required to properly understand the circumstances a visit visa is appropriate. It is also important to understand what the Visitor is allowed to do in the Isle of Man or UK, and how long the visit can be.
Longer stays
Under normal circumstances, Visitors are not allowed a single stay of more than six months, and it is not possible to extend a visitor visa without applying from overseas. This means if a longer stay is intended, it is best to plan ahead and make the long-term visa application at the outset.
Kinley Legal advises on all types of long-term visa. For longer stays, there are various options, including visas for investment, business, work or family reasons.
Common Questions
Now I have an Isle of Man visa, how do I get there? There is no direct flight to the Isle of Man from where I live.
The UK recognises Isle of Man visas, so you can transit in the UK on your way to the Isle of Man without needing a separate UK visa. You will enter the Common Travel Area when you cross the UK border, and you should not need to complete immigration formalities again on arrival in the Isle of Man.
I have a UK visitor visa, can I visit the Isle of Man?
Yes, the Isle of Man recognises UK visitor visas, so you can visit the Isle of Man without needing a separate Isle of Man visa.
I have an Irish C visitor visa, can I visit the Isle of Man?
Whether you can visit the Isle of Man on your Irish visa will depend on your your nationality. Kinley Legal can help assess whether you require a separate Isle of Man visa.
I am visiting the Isle of Man/UK, can I extend my stay in the Isle of Man?
It isn't generally possible for a visitor to extend his/her stay, but Kinley Legal we can discuss Isle of Man options to help plan a future in the Isle of Man or UK.
How good does my English need to be for an Isle of Man visitor visa?
There are no formal English language requirements. However, when you cross the UK border you may need to answer some questions from the UK Entry Clearance Officer, and so having some English is useful.
I have previously been refused a UK visitor visa. Is it easier to get an Isle of Man visitor visa?
An Isle of Man visa can only be obtained if you will have a genuine reason to visit the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man makes its own immigration decisions based on its own policy. While your previous UK refusal may harm your case to get an Isle of Man visitor visa, you should talk to Kinley Legal so that we can help maximise the chances of success.
I entered the Isle of Man via southern Ireland and my passport wasn't stamped - what do I do?
Immigration Officers are not permanently based at the airport and sea ports in the Isle of Man, and do not routinely meet ships and aircraft arriving in the Isle of Man from southern Ireland. The burden is on you to see an Immigration Officer in Douglas within three days of your arrival to complete the necessary formalities; Kinley Legal is available should you need assistance.
I have been refused an Isle of Man visitor visa. Can Kinley Legal help?
You may be able to appeal against the decision to refuse your visa if the purpose of your visit was to visit a family member. You only have a limited period of time in which to appeal, so contact Kinley Legal as soon as possible so we can discuss your options. Unlike in the UK, in the Isle of Man applicants have a full right of appeal against immigration decisions, which means that if you have wrongly been refused, an appeal can often be heard by an independent immigration judge within weeks.