Skip to main content
Guidance

Common travel area (immigration staff guidance)

Immigration staff guidance on the common travel area (CTA).

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
16 July 2018
Last updated:
9 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated to include Crown Dependency issued electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for travel to the UK, and amendments to the ETA requirements for travel from the Crown Dependencies to the UK.

  2. Changes to reflect Part Suitability replacing Part 9: grounds for refusal of the Immigration Rules.

  3. Added an accessible version.

  4. Guidance amended in line with immigration rules.

  5. Guidance updated to: remove reference to Electronic Visa Waiver; amend reference to Permitted Paid Engagement to reflect changes to the visitor rules; update table 1 and amend section on individuals encountered in the UK to include people who may be eligible for EUSS.

  6. PDF updated to correct an error in one of the flowcharts.

  7. Updated the Channel Islands / Isle of Man referral form.

  8. Updated to reflect the introduction of the new Temporary Work – Creative Worker route (which replaces the creative provisions of the T5 (Temporary Worker) Creative or Sporting Worker route from 11 October 2021), and changes to the visa concession for Creative Workers.

  9. Updated 'Common travel area' guidance. Clarifies the document requirements for people arriving in the UK via the common travel area. And provides updated information on processing applications from EEA nationals and their family members to the Crown Dependencies.

  10. Updated guidance, including to reflect the ending of the grace period in the UK on 30 June, and specific arrangements in place from 1 July.

  11. Updated guidance to reflect end of transition period.

  12. Replaced the common travel area document with a new version.

  13. Updated common travel area document.

  14. Replaced the common travel area document.

  15. Updated the Common Travel Area document.

  16. Updated guidance.

  17. First published.

Documents

Common travel area (accessible)

HTML

Common travel area

PDF, 699 KB, 103 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Channel Islands / Isle of Man referral form

ODT, 26.5 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Immigration staff guidance on the CTA including its legal basis, instructions and requirements for people travelling to and within the CTA and in-country encounters.

The referral form is used in any referral to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

People who hold a valid Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship and want to enter the UK from Ireland to undertake paid, temporary engagement must complete an immigration clearance form.

We are aware of accessibility issues with these publications. We are working to fix these.

Read more about our accessible documents policy

Sign up for emails or print this page