Work Permit Changes Come Into Effect

The Department for Enterprise is today (Monday 15th January) introducing further changes to the Island’s work permit system, simplifying the application process and introducing a new register of exempt persons.

The changes follow Tynwald approval of seven proposed reforms to the Island’s work permit system in October 2017.

Four of the proposals were implemented last year, including the introduction of simplified fees for longer term permits and the automatic 1 year permit for cohabiting partners of Isle of Man workers, work permit holders and exempt persons upon application.

The three remaining proposals were reliant on the development of new IT systems and will now take effect from 15th January 2018. The changes will simplify the application process by moving to an employer only application process, simplify the matters that the Department needs to take in to consideration and introduce a new register of exempt persons.

Tim Crookall MLC, Member with responsibility for work permits, commented:

‘This is the second part of our reforms following November’s first enhancements and will see an improved process for work permit applications which is simpler and quicker, as well as giving Government a better measure of the movement of exempt persons to and from the Island. This is positive news for the Isle of Man as we work to reduce barriers for people looking to work in our key sectors, boosting employment and giving our employers access to the skilled people they need to succeed.

‘The reforms are part of a wider commitment to grow the economically active population of the Isle of Man and we are aiming to deliver the vast majority of approvals under this new regime within one working day. We will be using the enhancements to work with our locate.im team and partners across Government and the private sector, to promote the Island as a special place to live and work and raise further awareness of the training and career opportunities we have to offer.’

Existing customers have been contacted directly to explain the changes to the system. The work permit changes will be monitored to evaluate their impact and effectiveness going forward.

Full information on the work permit system, including links to relevant online forms for new applications, renewal requests and exemption registrations can be found on the website https://www.gov.im/categories/working-in-the-isle-of-man/work-permits/apply-for-or-renew-a-work-permit/

A third phase of improvements is expected in April 2018 with the launch of an improved online employer portal to give access to all employer activity in one place, further simplifying the process as well as making the whole end to end process fully transparent to the employer.

If you require further information in these changes, or the work permit system in general, please get in touch with workpermits@gov.im