What does this mean?
This means Isle of Man tourism and hospitality businesses who may be experiencing difficulties recruiting into roles on Island, are able to employ workers from outside of the UK and Ireland with a little more ease. This new route will allow businesses to attract workers from EU countries who wish to work seasonally in the UK but have been unable to do so.
The new Seasonal Migrant Worker visa enables local hospitality businesses to employ non-settled seasonal workers for a maximum of nine months and is available for individuals who have not already held the equivalent visa in the Isle of Man, UK, or Channel Islands within the three months prior to applying.
As with the Worker Migrant visa, the employee must also hold a valid Confirmation of Employment provided by an Isle of Man employer and must be paid a minimum salary of £20,800 (pro-rated for the nine months).
Unlike the Worker Migrant visa, applicants for the Seasonal route do not need to meet the English Language requirements and can ‘switch’ to a Worker Migrant visa while working on the Island if they meet the requirements. The fee for the new route is also significantly less at £244.00, in comparison to the fee payable for the Worker Migrant Visa.
The Worker Migrant Route allows employees to remain on the island, living and working (for the employer listed on the Confirmation of Employment) and after 5 years apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Key Points
The Employee:
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Must hold a valid Confirmation of Employment
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must be paid a minimum salary of £20,800 (pro-rata for 9 months)
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does not have to meet the English Language requirements
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must have held at least £945 in available funds or have a Confirmation of Employment certifying that the you will pay for maintenance and accommodation if necessary
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must not have held the same or equivalent leave in the Isle of Man, UK or Channel Islands within the 3 months prior to applying for the visa can ‘switch’ in to the Worker Migrant visa route, whilst on the Island, as long as they meet all the requirements for the route
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can only stay 9 months, this cannot be extended
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if they switch to the Worker Migrant visa, the 9 months they have spent here already doesn’t count towards the 5 years required for Indefinite Leave to Remain their dependents are not able to join them
Confirmation of Employment Application
For Businesses
If you are planning to employ a member of staff who is coming from outside of the Isle of Man or UK; and they have never lived or worked here previously, you will need to follow the steps to apply for a free Confirmation of Employment.
First time Employer Application
If you are a first time applicant for a Confirmation of Employment you will be asked to provide further information to confirm you are an Isle of Man registered company with your application.
Further Information
Full details on the new route and the process businesses and employees are required to follow can be found on the links on the right. If after reading the documents you have any questions or queries in relation to the Worker (Seasonal) Migrant Visa route or process, please contact the team in Locate locate.DFE@gov.im who will be happy to assist.
