Residency
Population projections show the importance of immigration to the Isle of Man. The present structure is such that without an influx of new residents there would been a decline in the overall population by the year 2000. Official policy is to target areas in which growth is required whilst carefully monitoring and ensuring it is compatible with the Manx community. This policy is vital for reasons other than just prevention of a net population decline.
Unprecedented expansion of the finance sector in recent years has created many more jobs than could possibly be supplied by the existing market. School and college leavers coming into the career market are also quickly absorbed by the growing industrial sector. The resulting need for professional and skilled people from outside the Island is therefore likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Foreign Nationals
With regard to the immigration of foreign nationals, the Isle of Man is part of the Common Travel Area with the Channel Islands and the United Kingdom and shares the same immigration legislation. Thus anyone who is entitled to enter the UK is also entitled to enter the Isle of Man and vice versa. There is free access to the Island for citizens of the UK, Eire the Channel Islands, and for nationals of the European Economic Area. Commonwealth citizens holding passports endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement also have the right of abode but, in general, persons from outside the British Isles or the EEA need some form of entry clearance. Such persons should contact a British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for advice.
Residential Property
The construction industry has been swift 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 comprehensive range of properties available on the Island including apartments, bungalows, traditional terraced, semi and detached houses and quaint country cottage retreats right up to large country and coastal properties. New executive developments on the periphery of Douglas have met much of the increased demand for new property.
Whereas many of those working in the capital would choose such homes, the housing stock exists in many other parts of the Island, where prices can often be cheaper. Whilst property values have increased in recent years they are comparable with many areas of England and Wales and are certainly lower than the south-east of England. Public Sector Housing - Both Central Government, through its Department of Local Government and the Environment, and several of the district local authorities, including Douglas, hold and control a sizeable stock of public sector housing. However, Government policy encourages home ownership and emphasis is placed on mortgage assistance for first-time buyer homes in the freehold market. The construction of state-owned premises, where appropriate, currently including the provision of housing for the elderly.
Benefits and Services
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 Supplementary Benefit, and six months for Family Income Supplement.
Health Care
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 appropriate facilities are available.
Work Permits
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 is 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. Application for work permits is made to the Department of Trade and Industry's Employment Division. Broadly speaking permits are issued where there are no suitable local workers available for the job concerned and where there is no reason to doubt the good character of the person for whom the application is made. Except in the case of self-employment, permits are issued for specific jobs with specific employers and are normally limited in duration but may be renewed.
Driving and Vehicle Licences
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 in the Treasury. 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. UK and foreign registered motor vehicles must be re-registered as soon as possible after the owner takes up residence.