The Isle of Man is considering the introduction of a health surcharge for individuals moving to the island on a visa, according to Treasury Minister Alex Allinson MHK. This proposal is part of a broader review of migration incentives and disincentives, following a report debated by Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s parliament. The report highlighted the absence of a healthcare surcharge on the island as an "unintended incentive" that could attract immigrants with significant healthcare needs.

The recommendations from the report are expected to be presented in May, with the possibility of adopting a system similar to the UK’s health levy, which currently stands at £1,035 per year for visa holders.

Aiming for Fair and Equitable Immigration Policies

Mr. Allinson noted that any healthcare surcharge policy would aim to balance the needs of the Isle of Man with a fair immigration system. He emphasized that introducing such a fee would require careful consideration of both UK and Manx legislation, as well as cooperation with UK counterparts to ensure a seamless system for visa holders.

“Mirroring the UK system is complex, and we would need to develop operational and digital frameworks for it to work effectively,” Allinson stated. He further explained that the goal is for any payment collected to be directed to the Isle of Man, though this would require significant development in digital infrastructure.

Digitalisation and Systems Integration

Implementing the surcharge would involve substantial digital upgrades to align the Isle of Man’s systems with those of the UK, ensuring that Isle of Man residents are not disadvantaged when traveling. David Ashford MHK raised questions about the feasibility of using UK systems, to which Allinson responded, noting the “huge amount of work in the digitalisation of immigration processes” and the investment required for system integration.

If adopted, the proposed surcharge would be paid annually for the duration of an individual’s visa, mirroring the UK model. The government is still evaluating the logistics of the system, along with potential impacts on the island’s immigration landscape.