The Isle of Man Immigration Office has introduced the first stage of a new points-based system which follows the UK model for managing the immigration of foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area who are seeking employment on the Island.
The system, which has been approved by the Council of Ministers, is based on one that is already in effect in the United Kingdom and categorises potential immigrants according to a tier system.
The first tier (Tier 1) to come into effect has three levels, each containing specific criteria that an applicant must meet in order to be able to achieve the requisite number of points:
General: for highly skilled workers, who must demonstrate that they are highly skilled, have enough money to support themselves and are able to speak English.
Entrepreneur: for those investing in the Isle of Man by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of, one or more businesses in the Isle of Man. The applicant has to demonstrate his/her ability to finance the business investment, support themselves and speak English.
Investor: for high net worth individuals, who must be able to demonstrate that they can make a substantial financial investment in the Isle of Man.
In addition, there is a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, which replaces the Working Holidaymaker Scheme). This is for young people from participating countries who would like to experience life in the Isle of Man.
The countries in the scheme - Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand - have been chosen because they have reciprocal agreements which allow young British Citizens to spend time in their countries. Young Manx residents qualify as British Citizens under these agreements.
Other elements of the new system, which will replace existing controls, are currently being progressed. Tier 4, which applies to students, and further elements of Tier 5 will be considered for adoption in the new year.
Tier 2, which applies to skilled workers and which will replace the Overseas Labour Scheme, is currently under consideration by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Tier 3 applies to unskilled workers; it has not been adopted in the UK and will not be introduced in the Isle of Man for the foreseeable future.
