Vetting of High Value Residents applicants (FOI)

​Request

Given the recent issue of foreign nationals coming to Jersey as high worth value residents formerly 1.1K, are Senator Philip Ozouf's tests, which he applied when he was vetting applicants, still in use?

These were:

1. What passport does holder have. If one of their passports is from a country on the UK Foreign Office ‘High Risk’ list, and the holder of the passport has been resident in the UK for more than five years but only holds a passport from the high risk country then major concerns and questions should be asked with the presumption of non-approval being more than 50%. In demonstrating a continuing allegiance to a high risk country, serious questions arise as dual nationality would be a demonstration of a staged or planned exit from the high risk country.

2. Of the net assets that the applicant can evidence, what percentage of those assets remain based or derive from business activities in the high risk country referred to in '1' above. If more than 50%, even greater presumption for refusal or in potentially high profile or even serious diplomatic outcomes best option may be a ‘non-decision’.

3. Of the percentage of assets domiciled or originating from the high risk country, what percentage of the assets are derived from extractive sectors, eg mining, oil and so on or activities which require specific Government high level sanction. If the percentage is within a range of 30-60%, then the presumption is that the application should, for reputational safeguarding, almost certainly result in rejection or a non-decision because of the risks associated in the individual’s past, present and ongoing links with what is inevitable a political regime that has serious corruption, security and other financial crime concerns which would blemish Jerseys gold standard reputation.

If these tests are not applied, what other tests are applied? Can these be detailed?

Who is the Minister responsible for checking applicants?

Response

The policy for 2(1) (e) applications is outlined at:

High Value Residency

The Chief Minister is responsible for the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012, and delegates these powers to the Assistant Chief Minister.

Further information on the relevant checks is also included in:

High Value individuals in Jersey (FOI)