Nearly 2,000 successfully gain ETA ahead of new rules

Electronic Travel Authorisations to be enforced

Nearly 2,000 people have successfully applied for an Electronic Travel Authorisation - or ETA - ahead of their enforcement, which begins today (23 April).

They've been a requirement for travel to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area since February and the Isle of Man is now mirroring that scheme.

Applications opened earlier this month.

Treasury Minister Chris Thomas has been giving Siobhán Fletcher an update:

Do I need an ETA?

People travelling to the Island for visits of up to six months and who do not hold a valid visa will require an ETA, including children. 

ETAs are linked to an applicant’s passport and valid for two years from the date of issue or until the holder’s passport expires - whichever is sooner.

You do not need an ETA if you are:

• A British citizen or Irish citizen – including dual nationals – who must travel into the CTA with their British or Irish passports (an Isle of Man variant passport is a British passport)
• A person who already has a valid visa or immigration permission(s) to live, work or study within the CTA
• A person who holds settled or pre-settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
• A child travelling to the Isle of Man as part of an organised French school trip
• A person travelling with a British Overseas Territories citizen or British National (Overseas) passport
• A resident of the Republic of Ireland travelling from the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Jersey or Guernsey

ETAs have been a requirement for travel to the UK from outside the CTA since 25 February 2026. 

The Isle of Man’s scheme mirrors the UKs, and ETAs issued in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey will be mutually recognised. 

That means valid ETAs issued in each of the four jurisdictions will be valid for travel to any of them.

The legal requirements to travel between the jurisdictions within the CTA have not changed – for example, for travel between the Isle of Man and the UK – however, non-visa national visitors entering the CTA via the Republic of Ireland will require an ETA.