The Isle of Man Immigration Conundrum

Written by Paul Beckett | Senior Counsel & Advocate

To practise immigration law you need the stamina of a long distance runner matched with the skills of a cryptographer.

Detractors of modern immigration laws often call them a “minefield” or a “trap for the unwary”. They are nothing of the kind – all laws evolve in response to the needs of the communities they serve. Those needs are constantly in flux.

As a result, any immigration law has a limited life span before it adapts, morphs or just gives up the ghost and tries again. This is the most complex and shifting of all the modern legal disciplines.

The fallout from Brexit and the changes in the laws of the United Kingdom – whose immigration laws the Isle of Man monitors, even when not bound to implement them here (and often going its own way) – has generated this pace of change. In 2020, the Immigration Rules of the Isle of Man were substantially amended or replaced nine times. So far in 2021 they have been updated four times (the latest version of the Immigration Rules came into force on 2 March 2021).

This is not a field for general enthusiasts who dip into immigration law from time to time. It needs constant attention if the adviser is to have a grasp on the current state of the law and to be able to advise competently and comprehensively.

The specialist immigration team at MannBenham advises business clients and high net worth private clients on the routes available to them to take up residence, and use their entrepreneurial skills in the Isle of Man. Those routes include Start-Up and Innovator:

Start-Up

This is for individuals seeking to establish a business in the Isle of Man for the first time. Migrants will have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea. This category offers leave for two years and four months only. This category does not lead to “Indefinite Leave to Remain”.

Innovator

This sub-category is for individuals with business experience seeking to establish, join or take over one or more businesses in the Isle of Man. Migrants will have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea. With some exceptions, Migrants will have the required funding to invest in the business. This category may lead to indefinite leave to remain.

One Simple Solution

So, the Isle of Man Immigration Conundrum – when it is a question of immigration rights and legal advice, constancy, currency and competence are paramount.

We are here for you…

If you need to speak to someone about immigration to the Isle of Man, and the processes involved, then take your first step in the right direction. You can email the MannBenham team at [email protected] or call them on +44 (0)1624 639350 to arrange your initial consultation with us today.

Weblinks: Business Immigration, Immigration for Individuals, Immigration Info-Sheet