New Immigration Crackdown Planned for Jersey

Immigration procedures for people visiting Jersey could soon become more stringent if a new proposal is approved.

At present, non-visa nationals—including those from the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union (EU)—can enter Jersey without a visa and stay for up to six months without undergoing additional checks.

However, the chief minister has put forward a proposition to introduce a system similar to the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Under this system, travelers from certain countries would be required to apply for authorisation linked to their passport before arriving.

A separate agreement allowing French nationals to visit Jersey with just an ID card for up to 24 hours was renewed in June. But if the new proposal passes, this arrangement would end, and French visitors would also need a passport in order to comply with the ETA system.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham, who supports the measure, said it aims to close a gap in the island’s border security and introduce a "more rigorous approach" for visa-free travelers.

“In the same way as countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand operate, travelers to Jersey will need to apply for permission in advance,” he explained. “As part of that process, they must self-declare any criminal history.”