Immigration + Visa's

The Isle of Man is part of the British Isles Common Travel area. There are no immigration controls when travelling between areas in the Common Travel Area (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and therefore a passport is not normally required to enter the Isle of Man.

However, those travelling to the Isle of Man from outside the Common Travel Area will reach the UK or Republic of Ireland first and Immigration will be handled at that point.

International students who wish to come to study on the Isle of Man will need to ensure that they are able to comply with UK/ Republic of Ireland visa and immigration requirements before leaving their home country.

You can apply for your visa or entry clearance certificate to study on the Isle of Man through the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate where you live. The rules for immigration to study on the Isle of Man are similar to those for those for the United Kingdom; however applications should be sent to the Immigration office on the Isle of Man and not the UK. To download Visa application forms and guidance notes visit www.fco.gov.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Visa to study on the Isle of Man?
What are the entry requirements if I wish to come and study on the Isle of Man?
How do I apply for Entry Clearance?
How long will my study Visa be issued for?
Can I work whilst studying?
Can I continue to work when I have finished studying?
Can I study for a Professional Programme at The IBS if I am an International Student?

1. Do I need a Visa to study on the Isle of Man?

International students fall into one of the following groups in terms of immigration rules. If you are not sure which group you belong to, contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or consulate where you live.

EEA Nationals	If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA)* or of Switzerland, these guidelines will not apply to you. If you are accepted onto a degree programme you are entitled to enter the Isle of Man and have the right of residence for the duration of the course.
Visa Nationals	If you are a non EEA National you must obtain entry clearance in the form of a visa. It is compulsory that a visa is obtained before travelling to the Isle of Man. Without the necessary visa you are liable to be refused entry to the UK.
Non – Visa Nationals	It is OPTIONAL to obtain entry clearance in the form of an entry certificate. Although it is not compulsory an entry certificate can simplify procedures on arrival.

*You are a national of the EEA if you are a national of:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or the United Kingdom.

The UK Visas website features a visa enquiry form where applicants can check if they require a visa. Go to www.ukvisas.gov.uk/doineedavisa

2. What are the entry requirements if I wish to come and study on the Isle of Man?

The Isle of Man has its own immigration rules, very similar to those of the UK. UK Visa offices can issue visas for the Isle of Man.

If you have secured a place on a full time programme of study, you must make sure that you comply with the Isle of Man Immigration requirements for international students BEFORE leaving your home country. Without the necessary entry clearance you may be refused entry to the UK or Isle of Man.

In order to obtain your visa to enter the Isle of Man as a full time student you must be able to meet the following requirements.

You must be in receipt of an Unconditional offer letter onto a full time degree programme at The IBS.
This will be a letter from The IBS confirming that you have been accepted on to a course which is full time as defined by the immigration rules for students. That is, it involves at least 15 hours organised daytime study per week or is a full time course leading to a degree.
You must intend to leave the Isle of Man at the end of your studies.
You must demonstrate to the Entry Clearance officer that you intend to return to your country of origin at the end of your programme.
You must not intend to engage in business or take up employment except for approved part time or vacation work.
Those on student visas may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during holidays.
You must be able to meet the cost of the course, accommodation and maintenance of yourself and any dependents without taking employment or claiming public funds.
You must have a valid / current passport which does not expire before the end of the programme of study.

3. How do I apply for Entry Clearance?

You should apply for entry clearance at the nearest British Mission in your home country and in as far in advance as possible.

Step One
Send the application form off to the British High commission or Embassy together with supporting documentation.

Application forms are available at the British High Commission (in Commonwealth countries) or the British Embassy or Consulate (in non Commonwealth countries). They can often be downloaded from the commission / embassy website.

Step Two
Once you have sent your application you are likely to be contacted with an interview date. At the interview the Entry Clearance officer will require evidence of the following:

An Unconditional Offer Letter from the Isle of Man International Business School.
A copy of your passport.
A letter from The IBS stating the full cost of the course, what arrangements are acceptable for payment and whether a deposit is required.
Evidence of government / individual sponsorship.
Evidence that you have knowledge of the Business School and the course that you intend to study.
You must be able to show that you can cope with English at a University level. This will be judged throughout the interview.
Evidence of government / individual sponsorship.

Step Three
Acceptance/Decline.

An Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) who works at the Embassy or High commission will assess your application and decide if it meets the requirements of the immigration rules. If the ECO accepts your application they will place a sticker in your passport. You can then start planning your Travel to the Isle of Man.

If the ECO refuses your application they will give you a refusal notice and appeal form. You should contact the Admissions Department at The IBS to inform us of their decision.

4. How long will my study Visa be issued for?

Postgraduate students (studying for Executive MBA or MSc International Banking and Finance) should normally be given Entry Clearance for the length of their course plus 4 months.

Undergraduate students (studying for BA (Hons) Business Studies/Business Management) coming for courses of one academic year or more that do not finish in the summer should be given the length of their course plus 2 months.

It is important that you make sure you have the right entry clearance visa before leaving home to travel to the UK. If you are issued with entry clearance (a visa) that does not comply with this guidance you should ask the Entry Clearance Officer to change it before travelling.

5. Can I work whilst studying?

Students on courses of more that six months are usually given immigration conditions in their passport that allow them to work part time up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during vacations. Any one who exceeds 20 hours per week are in breach of their conditions of entry as a student and render themselves liable to deportation proceedings.

However in order to meet UK immigration requirements students must show that they can pay course fees and living expenses without working, so can therefore not expect to finance their studies through employment.

Work Permit application forms can be obtained from:

The Secretary to the Work Permit Committee
Department of Trade and Industry
Employment Services
Nivison House
Prospect Hill
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 1QS

Useful Links

http://www.gov.im/dti/employmentRights/workpermits.xml

http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/dti/employmentRights/guides/workpermitsintheisleofman.pdf (Guide to Work Permits on the Isle of Man)

6. Can I continue to work when I have finished studying?

If an employer obtains a work permit for you once you have completed your degree programme, you may be able to switch from being a student to being a work permit holder. In order to find more information regarding this please visit: http://www.gov.im/dti/employmentrights/workpermits.xml

The requirements for an extension of stay for a student are that the applicant:

Entered the UK or was given leave to remain as a student in accordance with the immigration rules
Has obtained a degree qualification and has maintained a satisfactory record of enrolment and attendance.
Has written consent of the official sponsor to such employment and that sponsorship is either ongoing or has recently ended at the time of the requested extension.

A full list of requirements can be found at: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

7. Can I study for a Professional Qualification at The IBS if I am an International Student?

Professional Qualification/ Short Course of six months duration or less and who indicate the intention to take part time employment, subject to meeting the requirements of the immigration rules may be granted leave to enter for the duration of their course up to 6 months at a time.

If the course is for over six months, the practice should be to grant leave to enter to cover the period in question up to a maximum of 12 months.

Non-visa nationals should be reminded that if they intend to take further study below degree level, they should be advised to seek an entry clearance as a student or prospective student, since failure to do so would prevent them from obtaining further leave to remain in the UK as a student below degree level. Likewise, those students undertaking a course below degree level that is over 6 months in duration should be advised to seek entry clearance as a student or prospective student.

You will find full information about working whilst/after studying at www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Isle of Man International Business School
The University Centre, Old Castletown Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 1QB
T: +44 (0)1624 693700 F: +44 (0)1624 665095 E: enquiries@ibs.ac.im