• CTA1 Immigration Rule on the Common Travel Area
• CTA2 What is the Common Travel Area?
• CTA3 Applications for the Channel Islands
• CTA4 Applications for the Isle of Man
• CTA5 The Republic of Ireland
• CTA6 Crown Dependency Referral Form

See other guidance information Appeals (APL) - Appeal procedures Appeals (APL) - Appeal procedures for posts Appeals (APL) - Asylum grounds Appeals (APL) - Categories which have the full right of appeal Appeals (APL) - Limited or residual rights of appeal Appeals (APL6) - Judicial review Crew Members (CRM) - Aircrew Crew Members (CRM) - Seafarers Entry Clearance Guidance - General Instructions Entry Clearance Guidance - General Instructions Entry Clearance Guidance Documents Right of Abode (ROA)  

CTA1 Immigration Rule on the Common Travel Area

Paragraph 15 of the Immigration Rules.

Back to top

CTA2 What is the Common Travel Area?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland collectively form a common travel area. A person who has been checked at immigration passport control at the point of entry into the common travel area does not normally need leave to enter at any other part of it. There is therefore no requirement for separate entry clearances to be issued where the applicant is going to transit through or remain for a while in one part of the Common Travel Area before travelling to another part. The entry clearance should be issued for the prime purpose of the journey. However certain people, described in Paragraph 15 of the Immigration Rules, who enter the UK through the Republic of Ireland do require leave to enter. And a visa, if they are visa nationals.

Back to top

CTA3 Applications for the Channel Islands

CTA3.1 Which islands comprise the Channel Islands?
The Channel Islands are comprised of the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey (which includes Hern, Sark and Alderney).

CTA3.2 How do I process applications for the Channel Islands?
The immigration authorities of the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey issue entry clearances under the delegated authority of their respective Lieutenant Governors.

ECOs can issue entry clearances to applicants wanting to visit the islands for a short stay e.g a week's stay in a hotel, if the application meets the requirements of the Rules. The ECO still needs to check the application against the warning index. Once the type of visa has been entered eg visit, the ECO needs to pick the relevant Crown Dependency from the drop down menu on the "Destination " field so that the entry clearance is endorsed with the correct island:

• Jersey (GBJ);
• Guernsey including the lesser islands of Hern, Sark and Alderney (GBG);

The ECO must refer all other applications, including all business visits, to the relevant Island offices using the  Crown Dependencies Referral Form.

NB:The Crown Dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) have not yet introduced the Points Based System (PBS).  Until further notice, any application which would be dealt with under the PBS if the applicant was going to the UK, should be referred to the relevant Crown Dependency.

The ECO can send applications directly by fax to the addresses below, or by bag via Passenger Casework Section, Home Office.

In addition, applications can be sent to the relevant Island offices by email. This is the preferred option when the ECO is content with the application and would be prepared to issue an EC if the applicant had been intending to travel to mainland UK. The ECO must provide a short summary of the case in the email.

CTA3.3 How do I process applications from EEA nationals and their family members to the Channel Islands?
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals exercising Treaty rights do not require leave to enter, or remain in, the Islands. This is because although under Article 227 of the Treaty of Rome, the Channel Islands are not part of the European Union, a modified section of the Immigration Act 1988 does apply to the islands.

Non-EEA family members of an EEA national who wish to live in the Islands should make an application for an EEA family permit. The ECO must refer the application to the appropriate Island authority for a decision.

CTA3.4 Do applicants refused entry to the Channel Islands have the right of appeal?
An applicant does not have the right of appeal if they are refused an entry clearance, in any category, to the Channel Islands. This is because immigration legislation on appeals does not extend to the Channel Islands. However, an applicant who expresses a wish to appeal and who, if proceeding to the mainland UK, would have a right of appeal, should be advised to contact the appropriate Island authority. Posts should explain this to the applicant in writing along the following lines:

Dear Sir/Madam, You have applied for an entry clearance to enter Island of Jersey/Guernsey for the purpose of ........................but the Island's authorities are not satisfied that you qualify under the laws of the Bailiwick of Jersey/Guernsey for entry on this basis. There is no legal right of appeal against this decision but if you wish to pursue your application you may contact the Island's Immigration & Nationality Department at the following address [enter contact details]. Yours faithfully

 

 

 

 

 

 

CTA3.5 Contact details for the Channel Islands

Jersey

Chief Inspector of Immigration
Immigration and Nationality Department
Maritime House
La Route du Port Elizabeth
St Helier
Jersey JE1 1JD
Channel Islands
Telephone: (01534) 838838
Facsimile: (01534) 838839
Email: immigration@gov.je

Guernsey

Chief Officer of Immigration
Guernsey Immigration Nationality & Passport Office
New Jetty
White Rock
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2LL
Chanel Islands
Telephone: (01481) 741420
Facsimile: (01481) 712248
Email: enquiries@nationality.gov.gg

Back to top

CTA4 Applications for the Isle of Man

CTA4.1 How do I process applications for the Isle of Man?
The Immigration authorities of the Isle of Man issue entry clearances under the delegated authority of their Lieutenant Governor.

ECOs can issue entry clearances to applicants wanting to visit the island for a short stay e.g. a week's stay in ahotel, if the application meets the requirements of the Rules. The ECO still needs to check the application against the warning index. Once the type of visa has been entered eg visit, the ECO needs to pick 'Isle of Man' from the drop down menu on the 'Destination' field so that the entry clearance is endorsed with the correct Crown Dependency:

• Isle of Man (GBM)

The ECO must refer all other applications, including all business visits, to the relevant Island offices using the  Crown Dependencies Referral Form.

NB: The Crown Dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) have not yet introduced the Points Based System (PBS).  Until further notice, any application which would be dealt with under the PBS if the applicant was going to the UK, should be referred to the relevant Crown Dependency.

The ECO can send applications directly by fax to the addresses below, or by bag via Passenger Casework Section, Home Office.

In addition, applications can be sent to the Island office by email. This is the preferred option when the ECO is content with the application and would be prepared to issue EC if the applicant had been intending to travel to mainland UK. The ECO must provide a short summary of the case in the email.

CTA4.2 How do I process applications from EEA Nationals and their family members to the Isle of Man?
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals exercising Treaty rights do not require leave to enter or remain in the the Islands. This is because although under article 227 of the Treaty of Rome, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the European Union, a modified section of the Immigration Act 1988 does apply to the islands.

Non-EEA family members of an EEA national who wish to live in the Islands should make an application for an EEA family permit. The ECO must refer the application to the appropriate Island authority for a decision.

CTA4.3 Do applicants refused entry to the Isle of Man have the right of appeal?
Yes. The Isle of Man has an appeals system that is similar in all respects to that operated in the rest of the UK. The refusal should be made on the same forms, GV51(FRA), (LRA) or (EEA) and clearly identified as for the Isle of Man. All papers should go to the addresses below and not to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT).

CTA4.4 Contact details for the Isle of Man

Immigration Inspector
Immigration Office
Government Office
Buck's Road
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3PN
Telephone: (01624) 685203
Facsimile: (01624) 685210
Email: chiefsecs@gov.im

Back to top

CTA5 The Republic of Ireland

CTA5.1 What are the visa regulations for the Republic of Ireland?
Staff can find information on ECG Volume 3 on the FCONet.

CTA5.2 How do I process applications for transit to the Republic of Ireland?
Paragraph 47 of the Immigration Rules on visitors in transit does not apply to people wanting to transit the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) en route to Republic of Ireland.

ECOs can issue a visit visa to a person in transit to the Republic of Ireland if:

• the applicant gives the ECO evidence that they will be allowed to enter the Republic of Ireland e.g. they have a visa; and
• they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for visitors .

 

Back to top

CTA6 Crown Dependency Referral Form

Use this form in any referral to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

 Crown Dependency Referral Form

Back to top