UK Border Agency | Common Travel Area (CTA)

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Common Travel Area (CTA)

Entry clearance guidance

This is internal guidance for use by entry clearance staff on the handling of visa applications made outside the United Kingdom (UK) for the common travel area. It is a live document under constant review and is for information only.

CTA1 Immigration Rule on the Common Travel Area

Paragraph 15 of the Immigration Rules.

CTA2 Entry clearance for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

CTA2.1 Common Travel Area

Paragraph 15 of the Immigration Rules states that the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland collectively form a common travel area. A person who has been examined for the purpose of immigration control at the point at which he entered the area does not normally require leave to enter any other part of it. However certain persons subject to the Immigration (Control of Entry through the Republic of Ireland) Order 1972 (as amended) who enter the United Kingdom through the Republic of Ireland do require leave to enter. This includes:

those who merely passed through the Republic of Ireland;
persons requiring visas;
persons who entered the Republic of Ireland unlawfully;
persons who are subject to directions given by the Secretary of State for their exclusion from the United Kingdom on the ground that their exclusion is conducive to the public good;
persons who entered the Republic from the United Kingdom and Islands after entering there unlawfully or overstaying their leave.

CTA2.2 General

A UK entry clearance is valid anywhere in the Common Travel Area, subject to the requirements below for referral. In practice this means that only one UK entry clearance is to be issued where a person intends to travel directly or en route to the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man. There is no requirement for entry clearance to be endorsed to show a particular Island in question.

CTA3 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 Biometrics

We must not collect biometrics from any applicants seeking to travel directly to the Channel Islands without passing through the UK, as we do not have the legal power to do so. Where an applicant intends to transit the UK en route to the Channel Islands, biometrics should be enrolled.

Posts should be vigilant for applicants who may choose to apply for a visa for the Channel Islands solely in order to evade the biometric requirement with the intention of gaining entry to the UK and subsequently seeking to remain in the UK. Please advise the UKBAIG Control Quality team of any rise in suspected cases.

CTA 3.3 Points-based system

The Channel Islands have not introduced the points-based system (PBS) but will recognise Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) only. All other employment routes will continue to be administered under their work permit scheme.

CTA 3.4 Students and Student visitors

Applicants seeking to enter as a student should complete VAF3A and a visa national coming as a student visitor should complete VAF1D. The institution is not required to be the holder of a Sponsor license for Tier 4 of the Points-Based-System or the holder of valid accreditation or of a valid and satisfactory full institutional inspection, review or audit. The decision, as to whether or not, the educational institution is acceptable will rest with the appropriate Island.

CTA 3.5 English language test

Applicants will meet this requirement if they provide an original certificate from a test provider approved by the United Kingdom Border Agency, or one of the following educational institutions in the Channel Islands, showing that they have achieved the minimum standard of English required for the immigration category in which they are applying:

Highlands College
P.O. Box 1000
St Saviour
Jersey
JE4 9QA
Telephone: +44 (0) 1534 608608
Facsimile: +44 (0) 1534 608600
Email; reception@highlands.ac.uk

The Guernsey College of Further Education
Route des Coutanchez
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2TT
Telephone: +44 (0) 1481 737500
Facsimile: +44 (0) 1481 746730

CTA3.6 Referral of applications

Applications need not be referred if the person applies in the following categories:

EEA Family Permits
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
UK Ancestry

In such cases, entry clearance may be issued subject to a check against the warning lists and provided the requirements of the Rules / EEA Regulations have been met. However, where the applicant does not satisfy the ECO the application must be referred to the appropriate Island, by e-mail, and include the Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form.

Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form (can be downloaded under 'Related documents' on the right of this page).

Applications for all other purposes must be referred to the appropriate Island for authority to issue or refuse, by e-mail and include the Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form and, in particular, ensure a recommendation is included. There is no need, initially, to send the VAF and supporting documents, the individual Islands' authority will request supporting documentation if required.

All organ donation entry clearance applications must be referred to the appropriate Island for authority to issue or refuse, by email and include the Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form.

CTA3.7 Notice of Decision to Refuse

The Channel Island authorities will complete a refusal of entry clearance notice, setting out the reasons why the applicant does not meet the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rules.

This notice will also explain that an applicant does not have a legal right of appeal if they are refused an entry clearance, in any category, to the Channel Islands. However, an applicant who wishes to make representations and ask for the decision to be reviewed should contact the appropriate Island authority in writing.

The ECO is responsible for sending this notice to the applicant. ECOs should not use their own refusal notices.

CTA3.8 Appeals

An applicant does not have the right of appeal under immigration legislation if they are refused an entry clearance for the Channel Islands, in any category. However, an applicant who wishes to make representations and ask for the decision to be reviewed should contact the appropriate Island authority in writing.

CTA3.9 Fees

The fees chart is available on The Consular Fees Order 2010, the section on Crown Dependencies applies.

CTA3.10 Contact details for the Channel Islands

Jersey

Head of Service
Customs and Immigration Service
Maritime House
La Route du Port Elizabeth
St Helier
Jersey JE1 1JD
Immigration Casework Section

Telephone: (01534) 447979
Facsimile: (01534) 448027
Email: immigration@gov.je

A link to the Immigration Rules for Jersey can be found at Directions of the Lieutenant-Governor on the States of Jersey website.

Guernsey

Chief Officer of Immigration
Guernsey Immigration Nationality & Passport Office
New Jetty
White Rock
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2LL
Channel Islands

Telephone: (01481) 741420
Facsimile: (01481) 723442
Email: enquiries@nationality.gov.gg

A link to the Immigration Rules for Guernsey can be found on the States of Guernsey website.

CTA4 Isle of Man

CTA4.1 Referral of applications

All applications must be referred, this includes those applicants intending to visit the island for a short visit, for example, a week's stay in a hotel. The ECO must refer the application to the Isle of Man, by email, and include the Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form, and, in particular, ensure a recommendation is included. The Isle of Man Immigration Office also asks that the VAF and supporting documents are sent, by e-mail or fax, for all referred applications.

Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form (can be downloaded under 'Related documents' on the right of this page)

The Isle of Man Immigration Office aims to deal with 76 per cent of applications for Entry Clearance within 3 days of receipt and to have dealt with 96 per cent of applications within two weeks.

CTA4.2 Points-based system

The Isle of Man has now introduced the remaining Tiers of the points-based system in line with the United Kingdom (Tiers 1,2, 4 and 5) from 26 July 2010.

As the requirements are identical to those of the UK the applicant should complete the VAF9 and Self Assessment form and use the UK's points-based calculator.

Isle of Man Sponsors and Certificate of Sponsorship details will not appear on UK systems and all PBS applications should be forwarded to the Isle of Man Immigration Office for checks on IoM systems. The relevant points-based system self assessment form should be included with the Channel Islands and Isle of Man referral form.

Any request for an Administrative Review, following refusal, should be sent direct to the Isle of Man, in the same way as an appeal would be (see below).

The Isle of Man Immigration Rules can be found on the Isle of Man Government website.

Further information will be supplied as and when each Tier is introduced to identify the differences, if any, between the Isle of Man and UK schemes.

CTA 4.2.1

On 28 February 2011 the Isle of Man Immigration Rules were amended to introduce a new English Language requirement for applicants applying for leave to enter or remain in the Isle of Man under Part 8 of the Immigration Rules as the spouse, civil partner, same-sex partner or unmarried partner of a sponsor who is British or is present and settled in the UK.

How does the applicant satisfy the requirement?

By passing a test with an approved provider; or
By having a degree taught in English including masters degrees and PhDs; or
By having any masters degree or PhD obtained in the UK; or
By having any masters degree or PhD obtained in one of our list of majority English speaking countries.

It is assumed that the above qualifications have been taught in English in line with the points based system.

Any masters degree or PhD not obtained in the UK or a majority English speaking country which UK NARIC can verify was taught in English or can be verified by other evidence by being a citizen or national of a majority English language speaking country (which is specified in the relevant Immigration Rule) will also satisfy the requirement.

CTA4.2.2 Which countries are classified as a 'majority English speaking country'?

The applicant is deemed to meet the requirement if they are a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
the Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United States of America

An original current valid passport or travel document will be required. A dual national may apply in either nationality.

More information about English Language Testing can be found under SET.17 of ECGs.

CTA4.3 Biometrics

The Isle of Man has laid Regulations which reflect our own UK Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) Regulations 2006. This allows for the collection of biometric data of any applicant seeking to travel directly to the Isle of Man.

CTA4.4 Fees

The fees chart is available on The Consular Fees Order 2010, the section on Crown Dependencies applies.

CTA4.5 Appeals

The Isle of Man has an appeals system that is similar in all respects to that operated in the rest of the UK. The Isle of Man authorities will complete a refusal notice which also outlines the rights of appeal and which should be served on the applicant together with the Appeal form supplied (Isle of Man Appeal Form 1A). All papers should go to the Isle of Man Immigration Office (address below) and not to the First Tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber (IAC).

Contact details for the Isle of Man are listed below.

CTA4.6 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: immigration@cso.gov.im

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 for example, they have a visa; and
they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for visitors.

CTA6 How do I process applications from EEA nationals and their family members to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man?

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 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 does not need to refer these applications to the Channel Island authorities (see CTA3.3 above) but must refer any such applications to the Isle of Man where applicable.

CTA7 Channel Islands and Isle of Man Referral Form