Right to Work in Jersey

Are you considering a move to Jersey and seeking employment?

Like the UK, Jersey will require non-British and non-Irish nationals to hold a work permit and work visa to live and work on the island.

If however, you are an EU national who has lived or worked on island prior to 30 December 2020 you can apply to the Jersey EU Settlement Scheme which will protect your right to continue working and living on island. You have until 30 June 2021 to apply to the scheme, and will be asked to confirm if you hold settled or pre-settled status as part of job applications going forward.

In addition to the above immigration permissions, Jersey has local employment laws that are separate to the UK which will further determine where you can work and live on island. If you intend on living and working in Jersey you will have to apply for a registration card through Government of Jersey’s Social Security department. This application process will then determine which residential status you hold. At the beginning of the registration card process you will be asked to confirm your nationality to ensure you have the necessary immigration permission.

Your registration card will then to be shown to your:

Employer
Landlord (if renting a property)

Jersey Registration Cards - residential status' explained:

Entitled

If you were born in Jersey and have lived in Jersey for a total combined period of 10 years you are eligible for this status
If you were not born in Jersey but moved here after the aged of 16 and do not have ‘entitled’ parent, you must live in Jersey for a continuous period of 10 years before being eligible for this status
If you were not born in Jersey but moved here before the age of 20, have an ‘entitled’ parent, you can apply for this status if you have lived in Jersey for a total combined period of 10 years (starting before the age of 20 and completed before the age of 40)
If you were not born in Jersey and moved here before the age of 16, you must live in Jersey for a continuous period of 10 years immediately before being eligible for this status

Entitled for work

If you have lived on island for a continuous period of 5 years you are eligible for this status
If you are the spouse or civil partner of someone with ‘entitled’, ‘entitled for work’ or ‘licensed’, you are eligible for this status

Licensed

If you are classed as an ‘Essential employee’ by Government of Jersey or a local business with necessary permissions to employ ‘licensed’ people

Registered

None of the categories above apply (usually if you’ve been here less than five years, you work seasonally, or you have been away for periods).
For registered status’ your employer will require a ‘registered licence’ for you to work with them

More information on registration cards can be found by clicking here

Are you new to Jersey?

You will need to register with Government of Jersey Customer and Local Services department where you can apply for your first registration card. Your details will also be shared with Social Security, The Taxes Office and Health and Services departments.

There is a cost for the registration card depending on your residential and employment status – all costs are outlined in the below link.

To register as a Jersey Resident click here

Are you already a Jersey Resident and already have a Social Security number?

You can apply for a new registration card by clicking here

For more information:

Businesses and employers

All information on registration cards for businesses and their employment permissions can be viewed here: www.gov.je/Working/Contributions/RegistrationCards/Businesses/Pages/home.aspx

Employing someone who needs a work permit? Everything Employers will need to know on this topic will be stated here: https://www.gov.je/Working/WorkPermits/EmployersApplications/Pages/index.aspx