Reviewed: 29 April 2021
As part of Isle of Man Government response to COVID-19 pandemic a Borders Framework has been developed to reduce the spread and transmission of COVID-19 infection.
See Borders Framework for current restrictions in place.
Compassionate entry process
We do understand that the border and travel restrictions currently in place in the Isle of Man may cause considerable distress or difficulties for anyone wanting to travel for compassionate reasons.
Exemptions can be provided for non-residents to travel to the Island on compassionate grounds as follows:
- To attend a funeral of an immediate family member;
- To undertake the process of resolving the estate of a recently deceased immediate family member;
- To travel with the remains of a deceased family member where a post mortem is to be, or has been carried out in the United Kingdom;
- To care for a frail, bereaved or otherwise vulnerable immediate family member;
- To allow a frail, bereaved or otherwise vulnerable person to travel to the Island to be cared for by a resident family member;
- Where a person can demonstrate that they have strong existing ties to the Isle of Man, and need to return to the Island for compelling personal health, safety or financial reasons;
- Where immediate family members wish to travel with or to join a person exempted for entry into the IoM
- Where the applicant is the immediate family of an Isle of Man resident. The following will be considered to be immediate family:
- a spouse, or partner
- father
- mother
- stepfather
- stepmother
- son
- daughter
- stepson
- stepdaughter
- grandmother
- grandfather
- grandson
- granddaughter
- sister
- brother
- the spouse or partner of any of the above
- Where the applicant is the partner of an Isle of Man resident
Travellers will also once again be able to isolate in shared accommodation with people they did not travel with, so long as they agree to undergo testing. Everyone in the household will be required to isolate for the seven days, although only travellers will be required to undergo testing. If a traveller chooses not to undergo testing, they will not be able to isolate in shared accommodation.
Entry into the hospital or another care setting, or into the residence of another resident must be detailed on the application, and considered separately with advice taken from Manx Care and Public Health. Permission cannot be guaranteed.
If your request is successful, you are free to book your own travel to the island.
A landing form must be completed within 48 hours prior to arrival, which includes a health declaration and self-isolation information.
Compassionate approval to visit Care Homes or Health Care Settings
Prior to travel you must also seek approval and apply for Compassionate Entry if you plan to visit a Care Home or Health Care Setting as part of your visit.
The Manager will need to confirm the circumstances and reasons for the exemption in writing. Confirmation approval should be sent with your application.
The purpose of this is to ensure that the Care Home can access relevant clinical advice and guidance from the CHARRT team, in order to minimise risk to other residents.
Please note, there is no guarantee that any application to enter health care setting will be approved outside of the mandatory isolation period following travel to the island. This is a decision for the managers of the care homes, or of the specific hospital ward.
Urgent applications
For all urgent enquires regarding IMMINENT unforeseen travel into the Isle of Man, in the first instance:
Email TNS@gov.im
This mailbox is monitored 7 days a week from 9am until 5pm for urgent enquiries. On receipt a member from this team will contact you.
A Compassionate Application is still required in all cases. Once approved, you will then able to book your travel to the island.
Please follow and apply using the online application form provided in the Compassionate Application Process section below.
Before making any travel plans please follow and complete the online application process for a ‘non-Isle of Man resident wishing to apply for entry on compassionate grounds’.
Each application for Compassionate Entry will be considered on its own merits, before travel is approved to enter the Isle of Man.
If approved the applicant will be issued with a Certificate of Entry which contains a Compassionate (C-UK) Reference Number confirming permission to travel and enter the Isle of Man.
Travellers will use this unique Compassionate (C-UK) Reference Number as part of the Landing Form Application process which needs to be completed with 48 hours of arrival.
Visitors travelling to the Isle of Man for compassionate reasons will follow any such directions issued by the Isle of Man Government, Cabinet Office.
This direction must be followed throughout your visit.
For further information please see the Self Isolation page.
Also see: Guidelines on determining ‘compassionate grounds’ for non-residents
If you have any queries please contact:
Travel Notification Service (TNS)
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
Telephone: +44 1624 687171
Email: tns@gov.im.