Working in Jersey and Guernsey
Thinking about working in Jersey or Guernsey?
If you're considering a move to the Channel Islands, you'll want to understand how residency and work status actually work before you start applying. We've broken it down for you, island by island.
Working in Jersey
Do I need a work permit to work in Jersey?
British citizens and nationals of a Member State of the European Economic Area do not need work permits to work in Jersey. Other exemptions include Commonwealth citizens coming to Jersey for a working holiday, or those with a UK-born grandparent, though these individuals would still need to obtain entry clearance before arriving. Everyone else requires a work permit, which must be applied for by the prospective employer.
Who is given preference when it comes to living and working in Jersey?
While Jersey welcomes skilled people to seek work on the island, preference is given to residents who have either lived in Jersey for 10 years, were born in Jersey, or are the child of a person born on the island or the child of a registered resident.
Can I buy property in Jersey as a new resident?
Non-Jersey residents may not purchase property to live in until they have resided on the island for a substantial continuous period of time. What's permitted depends on your residential status category (see below).
Do I need a Jersey registration card?
Yes. As of 1st July 2013, anyone coming to work in Jersey needs to obtain a Jersey Registration Card before they can be gainfully employed. Under the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law, new arrivals need this card in order to buy or rent property, transfer land, start working in Jersey, and reside on the island for longer than three months. This also applies to any current Jersey resident who changes jobs or moves home.
What is a registration card and what does it show?
The Registration Card replaced the old Social Security card. It displays the holder's name, social security number, residential and employment status, and the card's expiry date. It isn't a form of ID, but employers and landlords will need to see it when the holder starts a new job or moves home.
How much does a registration card cost?
£75 for newcomers to Jersey, or £35 for those who lived in Jersey before 1st July 2013.
How do I apply for a registration card as a licensed resident?
You'll need to present yourself at the Social Security Office in La Motte Street, St. Helier, with photographic ID and a signed and dated letter from the HR department of the company employing you. This letter should confirm that you're licensed to work in Jersey, and mention any restrictions on your residential status, for example whether you're only permitted to lease, or whether your licence is for a fixed period.
How do I apply for a registration card as a registered resident?
Simply present yourself at the Social Security Office in La Motte Street, St. Helier, with photographic ID to apply.
What are the different residential status categories in Jersey?
Everyone entitled to work in Jersey falls into one of four categories: Entitled, Licensed, Entitled to Work, and Registered.
What does "Entitled" status mean?
This applies to those who are Jersey born and have reached the required aggregate residency period, as well as those who have lived in Jersey continuously for 10 years. High Net Worth Individuals, and those who would previously have been granted residency based on their financial and social contribution to the island (formerly known as 1.1k residents), are also now classed as Entitled residents. Prospective High Net Worth residents still need to go through a formal application process and meet certain criteria, though the States of Jersey are working to make this simpler and quicker, and are actively encouraging applications from potential high-value residents and businesses looking to relocate to Jersey.
Entitled residents can purchase or lease any Qualified property, set up a business, or be gainfully employed without needing to hold a licence.
What does "Licensed" status mean?
If you're moving to Jersey for work, your employer will likely have obtained permission for an essential employment permit to bring you to the island, meaning you'll be classed as a Licensed Resident. As with the old "J" category licence, when an employer has been unable to recruit someone from the local workforce, they can seek permission to employ someone from outside the island. However, the employer must first prove to the States of Jersey Population Office that they were unable to recruit someone locally with the required skills.
Licensed residents have the right to lease or buy any Qualified property in their own name (or jointly with a spouse or civil partner) as soon as they arrive, provided they remain "essentially employed." However, the right to buy isn't automatically granted to all Licensed residents, it depends on the terms of the individual licence. For example, if an employer recruited someone with a skill set not currently available locally but likely to become available in future, the Population Office may decide not to allow that Licensed resident to buy property.
One advantage of the current system is that Licensed residents now have a far greater choice of property to rent or buy. Properties formerly classified as A-H (not previously available to J-category licence holders) are now all Qualified properties, alongside all former J-category properties, giving Licensed residents a much larger pool of properties to choose from.
What does "Entitled to Work" status mean?
Residents who are Entitled to Work aren't subject to any restrictions on where they may work and don't require a licence. This status usually applies to those who are locally born with a long Jersey family history, or residents who have lived in Jersey continuously for over 10 years.
What does "Registered" status mean?
This category applies to those who wouldn't qualify to live in Jersey under any other category. Subject to compliance with immigration restrictions, Registered residents are entitled to live and work in Jersey, but with restrictions on where they may live and work. Registered residents may only lease a Registered property, and their employment is restricted to positions for which an employer holds a licence to employ a Registered person.
Where can I find more information?
Visit www.gov.je for full details.
Working in Guernsey
Why are there controls on who can live and work in Guernsey?
Because of the island's small size, there are some controls on who can come to live and work in Guernsey. These are in addition to the immigration controls of the Guernsey Border Agency, and work through two separate areas of control.
What is the housing control law?
The Housing Control Law divides Guernsey's housing into two tiers, known as the Open Market and the Local Market. The law controls who can live in all Local Market housing, and also controls who can live in some types of Open Market housing.
What is the right to work law?
The Right to Work Law makes it an offence for anyone to work in Guernsey unless they hold a valid Right to Work document. It's also an offence for an employer to employ someone in Guernsey who doesn't have one. Together, these two laws allow the Housing Control section of the Housing Department to control and monitor who is working on the island.
Do I qualify to live in Guernsey from an immigration point of view?
- You're able to reside in Guernsey if any of the following apply to you:
- You're a British citizen
- You're a national of the European Economic Area (EEA), that's EU nationals plus nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway
- You're a Swiss national
- You have the Right of Abode in the UK through marriage or any other means
- You're a Commonwealth citizen who would be entitled to Right of Abode in the UK
What if I'm a national of another country?
You'll require permission to enter and/or stay in Guernsey. This is known as "leave to enter" or "leave to remain," and is granted to those who qualify under the Immigration Rules. An option to immigrate to Guernsey via an investor's visa also exists.
What restrictions apply if I'm not a qualified resident?
Whatever your nationality or circumstances, if you're not a Qualified Resident in Guernsey, certain restrictions still apply. These mainly affect the category of property you're able to occupy, based on the Housing Control Law's two tiers, Open Market and Local Market.
What is local market accommodation?
Local Market accommodation is available to:
- Qualified residents, whether locally born or having continually lived and worked in Guernsey for the required number of years
- Those whose presence on the island is permitted because of the "essential" nature of their work. These licences are time-limited and generally given to specialists in sectors such as finance, medicine, and education who can't be recruited locally, typically ranging from 1 to 15 years depending on a number of factors
What is open market accommodation?
Open Market accommodation is:
- Available to anyone for Part A private houses and apartments
- Often the option for non-qualified residents who are unable to live under a Local Market licence, depending on their circumstances
- Generally considered more expensive than Local Market accommodation
Where can I find more information?
The rules around living and working in Guernsey are quite complex and do change from time to time, so the above should be treated as a guide only. For further information, contact the States of Guernsey Housing Control on (01481) 715790, or visit www.gov.gg, referencing the "Right to Work documents & Housing Licences" tab.
Take the 1st step
Register your interest in a role in Jersey or Guernsey, or browse all of our live vacancies below.