Tynwald Public Petition for Fair Settlement

Fair Settlement Isle of Man has launched a public petition calling for clear and meaningful transitional protections for people who moved to the Isle of Man under a published five-year route to settlement and who have already built their lives here.

The petition is not asking the Isle of Man to reject future immigration reform or to diverge from the UK indefinitely.

We recognise that immigration policy may change and that alignment with the UK remains the most likely outcome.

The question is not simply whether change happens. The question is how it is implemented for people who are already living and working on the Island under existing settlement routes.

Why this matters

Many residents moved to the Isle of Man on the basis of a clear and published route to settlement. They relocated their families, left jobs, sold homes, invested savings, enrolled their children in schools and built careers on the Island.

Changing the rules for future arrivals is one thing. Changing them for people already here is another.

This is not simply an immigration issue. It is also a workforce, economic and community issue.

The Isle of Man relies on inward migration to support population growth, fill skills gaps and sustain essential services. Future immigration reforms may make international recruitment more difficult, making the retention of experienced workers already living and working on the Island even more important.

As our campaign has consistently argued:

The easiest worker to retain is the one who is already here.

Community and employer survey findings highlighted concerns around workforce stability, business continuity, family planning and long-term confidence should settlement pathways be significantly extended without meaningful transitional arrangements.

What the petition is asking for

The petition calls on Tynwald to support clear and meaningful transitional protections for people who are already on settlement routes and who moved to the Island under the rules that existed at the time.

This could include grandfathering or other transitional arrangements that allow existing residents to complete the settlement journey they began when they relocated to the Isle of Man.

The campaign is not seeking to prevent future reform. It is seeking to ensure that existing residents are treated fairly and that workforce stability, economic confidence and community cohesion are protected.

Why act now?

The issue has already been raised in the House of Keys in May and is expected to be debated in Tynwald in July.

Recent public comments by Treasury Minister have acknowledged the concerns being raised by residents and employers, and discussions are continuing as the Isle of Man considers the potential implications of future UK reforms.

However, there is still no clarity on what any transitional protections might look like, who they would apply to, or whether they would provide meaningful protection for people already part-way through existing settlement routes.

Fair Settlement Isle of Man believes that residents, employers and the wider community would benefit from greater clarity as the Isle of Man's position develops.

Supporting evidence

The campaign's position is informed by:

• Community survey findings

• Employer survey findings undertaken with the support of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce

• Population and workforce data

• Research into settlement and immigration policy

• Engagement with residents, employers, MHKs and Ministers

You can view the campaign's briefing pack and supporting resources here

How you can help

If you support clear and meaningful transitional protections for existing residents already on settlement routes:

1. Read the petition.

2. Download and sign the signature page.

3. Share it with family, friends and colleagues. Encourage others to support the petition before the submission deadline on 12th June 2026.

4.  Whether it is 1 or 10 signatures, every voice counts. Once completed, scan the signature page and email it to fairsettlementiom@gmail.com. Please post the originals to Vanessa Naude, 11 Balleigh Park, Ramsey IM8 3NL. The deadline for submission of signature pages is Friday 12th June 2026.

5. Help us ensure that the voices of residents, employers and the wider community are heard.