Relocating Of The Isle Of Man

If you are thinking of relocating to the Isle of Man, I hope that the points made here will be useful and will help in your relocation.

The Island has excellent health care, high educational standards, efficient transport and communication systems, together with a growing economy, political stability and political independence. There is a relaxed and peaceful way of life in the Isle of Man with an untroubled atmosphere and friendly residents.

Whilst offering all the services and facilities of a modern European centre, the Island also boasts a fine selection of restaurants, shopping and leisure facilities. Yet away from the busy commercial centres, the Island has retained a pace of life. If you are taking up residence in the Isle of Man upon your arrival there are various aspects of Island life you will need to consider:

New residents will find that certain public services and benefits are not immediately available to them on arrival. For example, public authority housing is restricted to those with at least ten years' residence on the Island; five years' residence is required to qualify for Income Support and six months for Family Income Supplement. If you were previously UK resident and/or entitled to a UK state pension, then these rights are normally transferred to the Isle of Man and a pension paid by the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Security. You will also be entitled to free bus travel once aged 60.

New residents, who should register with a General Practitioner on arrival, are entitled to the full range of services from the date of taking up residence. Prospective new residents with special medical requirements are advised to make enquiries of the Department of Health and Social Security to ensure that appropriate facilities are available.

New residents must obtain an Isle of Man driving licence. Persons holding current driving licences issued in the UK, EU, Channel Islands and certain other countries can obtain an Isle of Man driving licence by presenting their existing driving licence to the Vehicle Licensing Office, Department of Transport’s Licensing Office, Sea Terminal Building, Douglas. However, persons holding driving licences other than those issued in the UK and Channel Islands may have to take a driving test and should contact the Vehicle Licensing Office to establish whether this will be necessary.

United Kingdom and foreign registered motor vehicles must be re-registered as soon as possible after the owner takes up residence.

Whilst there are no special restrictions on access to the Island (other than those under the Immigration Act which apply equally in the United Kingdom) the ability of newcomers to take up work is governed by the Control of Employment Acts which require anyone who is not an “Isle of Man worker’ to have a permit before starting employment or self-employment in the Island. (There are a certain limited number of occupations for which permits are not required, e.g. doctors, dentists, ministers of religion or the police). Qualification as an “Isle of Man worker” includes being born on the Island, resident for at least five years, married to an “Isle of Man worker”, having received full-time education during residence (and having remained on the Island thereafter) or having a Manx-born parent who has spent the first five years of their life on the Island. The work permit system is currently under review.

As soon as possible after arriving in the Isle of Man, new residents should contact the Assessor of Income Tax so that appropriate returns and any advice on income tax liability can be issued. It is necessary to complete ‘Registration for Manx Income Tax form.

The construction industry has been quick to respond to the demands of a growing Island population and homes of all sizes, to suit most tastes, pockets and lifestyles are available in a variety of locations. Potential buyers will find a wide range of properties available on the Island including apartments, bungalows, traditional terraced, semi and detached houses and country cottage up to large country and coastal properties. Once you become the owner or occupier of a property on the Island, new residents should contact the Rating Section of the Treasury so that its records can be updated. The rating year commences on the 1st April each year.

Immigration legislation on the Isle of Man is similar to that in the UK and applies to nearly everyone who is not a British Citizen or who does not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom, although Irish citizens and EU citizens exercising Treaty rights are exempt from many provisions.

If you are not a British citizen you should contact your nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate, who will be able to establish your immigration status and advise you on the procedure you will need to adopt to enter the Island. It may be that you will need an entry clearance before you travel and if so you should apply in good time.