Work Restrictions - Guernsey

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Housing:

Due to the small size of the Island and the density of the population, there are strict controls regarding who may occupy dwellings on Guernsey. In recent years a number of measures have been taken, including the introduction of legislation, to control the occupation of housing.

Through the Housing Control Law, the Housing Department controls the occupation of the majority of dwellings on the Island. There is no control over the ownership of property in Guernsey. There are two sectors of housing in Guernsey which are known as the "Local Market" Controlled dwellings and "Open Market" dwellings inscribed in the Housing Register.

Local Market dwellings can only be occupied by locally qualified residents or licence holders.

Open Market dwellings can be freely occupied and purchased. However, they tend to be the larger and more expensive properties on the island.

The right to occupy all dwellings on Guernsey apart from those inscribed in Part A of the "Open Market" Housing Register is strictly controlled. The occupants either need to be qualified residents or in possession of a valid housing license.

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Essential Licences

The States of Guernsey can grant licences to people whose employment is deemed to be essential to the needs of the community. These licences are applied for by the employer and are for the specific post only. They range in length from 1 to 15 years.


Short Term Licences

The Housing Department will grant temporary licences (up to 9 months) and short- term licences (up to 3 years). These licences are geared towards the Tourism and Horticultural industries if there are any shortages in local labour. These licences do not cover dependents and holders are required to leave the island once licences have expired.

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Right to Work Documents

Any person, who wishes to take up employment in Guernsey must have a valid Right to Work document issued by the Housing Authority confirming that you are legally housed. It is an offence to work without a valid Right to Work document. Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that all new employees have the appropriate documentation.

 
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There are no restrictions for UK citizens or nationals of a Member State of the European Economic taking up residency and working in Guernsey (subject to the above Housing Laws).

Commonwealth citizens under the age of 30 years can work in Guernsey for up to 2 years on the 'Working Holiday' visa. This documentation must be issued prior to arrival in the UK.

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Immigration Passengers arriving from outside of the Common Travel Area (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) will pass through an Immigration control. Passengers are examined under local legislation and those who qualify for admission are allowed to proceed.

If you intend to come to Guernsey you should also be aware that the Points-Based System (PBS) or previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) in the United Kingdom, which introduced set criteria under which nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will apply to come to or remain in the United Kingdom to work, train or study, has not been adopted in Guernsey.

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Work Permits are required by most overseas nationals who are coming to work in Guernsey. Some persons may be exempt from the requirement for a work permit; for example a Commonwealth Citizen coming on a Working Holiday or having a U.K. born grandparent. In these and other exempt cases an entry clearance must be obtained before arriving in Guernsey.

Work permits for overseas nationals who require them are issued in accordance with the Immigration (Work Permits) Rules made by the Home Affairs Minister and are administered by the Customs and Immigration Service. The rules set out the criteria to be met for the issue of a permit. A fee is charged for the processing of each application for a work permit; the fee is not refundable if the application is refused. Overseas nationals who have applied for a work permit must not travel to the United Kingdom or Islands unless they are in possession of the required work permit - otherwise they will be liable to be refused entry.

You do not require a work permit if you are a British Citizen or a national of a Member State of the European Economic Area.

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