Home Affairs relaxes immigration rule to help business

Friday 22 December 2023

Home Affairs has relaxed a rule requiring staff coming to the island on short-term employment permits to have two years of relevant work experience in the role they are arriving for.

These staff will need to demonstrate they have been in continuous employment for the last two years instead.

‘The committee considered that this relaxation was justified and proportionate noting that the requirement for overseas police checks and adverse immigration history checks remain," said Home Affairs President Rob Prow.

"Considering the other mitigation in place, the committee is of the view that the simplified experience will further assist businesses who are struggling to recruit staff, while appropriately balancing Guernsey’s responsibilities as a Common Travel Area member, by ensuring that those who come to our island are doing so to be productive members of society and do not pose a risk to the security of the Bailiwick.

"Our committee has always said that we listen to industry and do whatever we can to help them secure the staff they need. This change is the latest example of that commitment."

There remains a requirement that some roles, such as those in healthcare, also need to hold specific qualifications. This policy will be reviewed by the end of the second quarter in 2024.

The Chairman of the Confederation of Guernsey Industry said it's a positive step.

"We are pleased that finally Deputy Prow and Home Affairs have acknowledged and are listening to the issues that the CGi and its members are raising," said Dave Newman.

"This is, though, only the first of many steps that Home Affairs must take in order to properly support employers, otherwise the Island faces a continuous ‘skills drain’, leaving businesses chronically short of trained and experienced staff.

"A meeting is now being scheduled for mid-January with Home Affairs, at which a delegation of CGi firms and committee members will further discuss ongoing concerns with the legislation."