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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.