30 October 2018
The Home Affairs Minister, Connétable Len Norman, has approved the publication of proposed changes to the Jersey Immigration Rules which will allow EU citizens living in Jersey to remain in the island following Brexit.
As a member of the Common Travel Area, Jersey’s Immigration and Nationality Laws are aligned with those in the UK. As such, after Brexit, non-British and non-Irish citizens will have to apply to remain in the island, as they would in the UK.
The planned amendments to the Jersey Immigration Rules will launch the Jersey EU Settlement Scheme, which will begin in January 2019. The Settlement Scheme will ensure that EU citizens living in Jersey, and their family members, are able to remain in Jersey after the United Kingdom has left the European Union.
Under the Settlement Scheme, EU citizens who do not also possess British or Irish nationality and have been resident in Jersey for more than five years will be eligible for settled status. EU citizens who have been resident for less than five years will be eligible for pre-settled status and will be able to apply for settled status after five years.
- settled status is an immigration permission and won’t affect residential status and housing rights
- those EU citizens who have received immigration ‘permanent residency', free of charge in Jersey, will still have to apply to the Jersey EU Settlement Scheme
- with only limited exceptions, children born in Jersey to EU parents that have been settled in Jersey for more than 5 years are eligible to apply for British nationality
The Settlement Scheme is being operated on a cost-recovery basis. There will be an application fee of £25 for adults and £12.50 for children (under 16). These fees are significantly lower than the equivalent being charged under the UK scheme.
Home Affairs Minister Connétable Norman commented: “EU nationals who have chosen to make their home in Jersey are a vital part of our community and contribute significantly in so many ways to island life. The Government of Jersey has been very clear that EU citizens are most welcome in Jersey and we want everyone to stay in Jersey post-Brexit. The Jersey EU Settlement Scheme will ensure we can achieve this shared objective.”
Further information about the Settlement Scheme and the application process is available on the Brexit Page. The Scheme will open in January 2019 and applications will be accepted until the end of 2020. The Jersey Customs and Immigration Service will offer as much assistance as is required to those members of our community who are applying under the Scheme.
gov.je