Scroll down the Page to find the relevant information for you. For definitions, visit our 'Glossary' page.
General
I want to live and work in Guernsey, what are my options?
- Anyone working and/or living in Guernsey requires a Permit/Certificate to do so. Please email population@gov.gg for further information and all options.
- If you are a non EU/EEA citizen, you may require additional Immigration Clearance in conjunction with your Population Management document. The Guernsey Border Agency is responsible for Immigration Clearance in Guernsey. Their email address is enquiries@gba.gov.gg. Click here for further information on Immigration Clearance.
How long can i visit Guernsey?
- Anyone is able to be in Guernsey for up to 90 days within a 12 month period (starting from their first arrival into the island of Guernsey) without needing to hold a Permit or Certificate.
- This allows you to stay in tourist registered accommodation or stay as a guest in someone's house where they are living.
- This period does not allow anyone to undertake employment, even if this is remotely for a non-Guernsey based employer. Please find information in the FAQ page for more information about working in Guernsey.
- Please note that if you are not a British or Irish national, you may need additional immigration clearance to visit Guernsey. The Guernsey Border Agency is responsible for immigration clearance in Guernsey, click here for further information.
Can I work remotely in Guernsey for a non-Guernsey based employer?
- Anyone working for a non-Guernsey based employer can do so without holding a Population Management Permit or Certificate for
- up to 10 day (includes non-working days) within a 30 day period; and
- no more that 90 days within a 12 month period.
- Anyone exceeding the above durations will need a Permit or Certificate. There are various options which include different acclamation options. Please contact the Population Management Office for further guidance and advice.
- You should also contact Guernsey's Revenue Service for advice during your stay. Please click here to contact Revenue Service.
Can I fill out a paper 'Right to work' form?
- Population Management is now a paperless office as we are focused on reducing our carbon footprint, and we have replaced our old 'paper' system with our online 'Population Portal' system which means all our forms have been replaced with online applications. Please see the section 'Population Portal system (Online application service) and the Population Management Office'.
Can anyone come to live and work in Guernsey?
- No. Generally you need to have a Permit or Certificate in place before you come to Guernsey to live and/or work. Applications for Employment Permits can be made on or before the 7th day of employment (Click here for more details). In some circumstances, Permits can be refused if you have previously lived in Guernsey, especially if you have not had a Recognised Break in Residence. Permits and Certificates can also be refused if you have a serious criminal record.
- If you are temporarily working in Guernsey (includes remote-working) for an non-Guernsey, please find the section 'I am temporarily working in Guernsey for a non-Guernsey based employer (including remote working)' in the FAQ page.
I have a Criminal Conviction, how will this affect me?
- Please Click here
- PDF Version:
Criminal Convictions & Public Interest Policy [381kb]
I would like to report an offence under the Population Management Law
- If you know of an individual, employer or landlord who is breaching the Population Management Law, please contact the Population Management Inspector by one of the following options:
- Telephone: 01481225790 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm)
- Email: Darron.Hamon2@gov.gg
- Post: By Letter to 'Population Management Office, Sir Charles Frossard House, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1FH.
- All correspondence will be treated confidentially.
I want to temporarily take time away or move away from Guernsey, but I am not a Permanent Resident
- The Committee for Home Affairs have agreed a set of policies called the 'Agreed Absences', that allow certain time off-island to be treated as residence on-island for the purposes of the Population Management Law. To find out more about Agreed Absences,
- If you are looking to move away from Guernsey, you should contact the Population Management Office for further guidance and support.
I want to go to University, but I am not a Permanent Resident?
- If you main residence (Home) remains in Guernsey during your attendance at University you can generally expect this to be an agreed absence and considered 'Continuous Residence' in Guernsey.
I've moved address, what do I do?
My Partner/ Fiancee wants to come and live with me, what do I need?
- If you live in Local Market they will need to apply for a Family Member Resident Permit. Click here to take you to our list of applications.
- If you live in an Open Market Part A you will need to apply for an Open Market Family Member Resident Permit. Click here to take you to our list of applications..
- If you live in Open Market Part B or C, they will need to find a job that will employ them as an individual.
- If you live in Open Market Part D, you cannot accommodate anyone, they will need to apply as an individual, the Permit they will need is an Open Market House of Multiple Occupation Resident Permit. Click here to take you to our list of applications.
- Alternatively, if they meet certain criteria, they could find a job that will allow an Employer to apply for an application for an Employment Permit.
My employer has asked for a copy of my 'Right to work'/'Permit'/'Certificate'
- Because our Certificates and Permits we issue are digital copies, you can simply forward a copy via email or show your document on your mobile phone or tablet.
I currently live in Alderney, Sark or Herm, and would like to be in Guernsey for education or employment purposes
- If your circumstances do not meet the above criteria in the policy, please contact the Population Management Office.
How can I replace my lost document?
- Don't worry! If your application was made using the Population Portal (under the Population Management Law), simply 'Log in', click on 'Overview', find the application that was approved and it should display your Permit/ Certificate.
What is the difference between 'Right to Work', 'Housing License', 'Permit' and 'Certificate'?
- You may have heard these terms before, 'Right to Work' and 'Housing License' were terms used under the old Housing Control Law. Under Population Management we now call all of our documents 'Certificates' and 'Permits', which essentially are the same thing enabling residents of Guernsey to live and work in the island.
What's the difference between a Certificate and Permit?
- Other than a Permanent Resident Certificate, all Certificates and Permits become invalid if the holder leaves Guernsey.
- A Certificate is issued to a person who is entitled to live in Guernsey, and who is able to undertake any employment in the Island. But please note that some Certificates will restrict the holder to living in only Open Market accommodation.
- A Permit is issued to a person whose ability to live and/or work in Guernsey, is conditional. The Permit will explain what the conditions of residence are, but these can include things like working in a specific job, or living with a specific person. If the conditions of a Permit are broken, it becomes invalid.
Who Administers the Law?
- The Committee for Home Affairs has political responsibility for the Law, and for the development of the high-level policies that support it.
- Policies supporting businesses are developed in consultation with the Committee for Economic Development, and after taking advice from an independent Population Employment Advisory Panel. The Panel provides evidence-based advice and feedback from all sectors in Guernsey's economy, It is the way Guernsey businesses have direct input into policy development.
- Day-to-day administration of the Law is the responsibility of the Administrator of Population Management who is supported by the Team in the Population Management Office.
Population Portal system (Online application service) and the Population Management Office
How do I make an application for a Population Management Permit or Certificate?
- All
How do I register to make an application?
- Please
- Please click here to find out how to register as an employer/ company.
I don't have an email address, what can I do?
- If you don't have an email address, or need to set up an extra one, there are a number of providers that allow you to do this for free. Some providers are listed below with a link to set an account up.
- Gmail
- AOL
- Outlook
- Mail.com
- Yahoo! Mail
- If you need any assistance with this process or you do not have computer access, please contact us on 01481225790.
I don't have Photo Identification, what can I use for my application?
- Examples of photo identification can include passport, driving license, Citizen Card, etc.
- You may want to consider applying for a Citizen Card, which can be done online here.
- For certain applications such as some types of Permanent Resident Certificates, where a full birth certificate is also a requirement, photo identification is not mandatory.
- For all other applications, photo identification is mandatory. We understand that sometimes a person may not have photo identification for a specific reason. In these circumstances you can get a person who is a member of a professional body like an accountant, doctor, nurse, social worker, bank official, police officer or a civil servant, who knows you, but is not a family member, to certify a photograph of you. You will need to print your photo (contact us if you need help with this), and the person will need to write on the front of the photo (but not over your face): "I certify that this is a true likeness of [your full name]". They will need to sign & date the photo, and write their name, job title, and a contact phone number. You will then need to upload the certified photo into the online application.
What if I don't have a copy of my (or my family members, if relevant to my application) birth certificate?
- If you (or your family members) were born in Guernsey and you are required to provide a copy of your birth certificate* within your application, you can obtain a copy from the Greffe. Further information can be found here.
- If you were born in the UK and need a copy of your birth certificate*, you can order a copy online here, or contact the local registry where you were born.
- If you were born elsewhere in the world, you'll need to contact the relevant authorities in the place of your birth to obtain a copy of your birth certificate*. Where possible, a birth certificate should be provided in English.
- *This needs to be a full version of your birth certificate, listing at least one of your parents name.
I need help with our online service
- If you do not have access to a computer, you can visit our offices at Sir Charles Frossard House (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm), where one of our Team can assist you in completing your application.
- Alternatively, you can telephone our offices (01481225790) where we will be happy to answer any queries. We also offer a 'Remote Support' service to all our customers (Please see remote support section).
How can I pay for my application?
- There are three ways to pay for an application:
- Online: This type of transaction is instant by entering in your debit/ credit card details.
- By Post: Sent as a cheque to Population Management by mail. (Made out to: States of Guernsey and posted to 'Population Management Office, Sir Charles Frossard House, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1FH)
- In Person: You can by cash. Please be advised that cash payments cannot be accepted at Sir Charles Frossard House. All cash payments can be made at Edward T Wheadon House (Social Security), ensure you take your application reference number with you.
Application Fees
Application Type Fee Permanent Resident Certificate £10 Established Resident Certificate/ Permit
Open Market Resident Certificate (Part A-D)
Family Member Resident Permit
Open Market Family Member Resident Permit (Part A-D)
Open Market Employee Family Member Resident Permit
£50 Open Market Lodger Resident Permit (Part A-D)
Open Market HMO Resident Permit (Part A-D)
£150 Discretionary Resident Permit (In-Policy) £100 Discretionary Resident Permit (not-in-policy) £200 Replacement Certificates/ Permit £10 Employer Assessment (Full) £300 Employer Assessment (STEP only) £60 Long Term Employment Permit (In-Policy) £700 Long Term Employment Permit (out-of-Policy) £900 Short Term Employment Permit (In-Policy) £120 Short Term Employment Permit (out-of-Policy) £170 Re-conversion LTEP/MTEP (Within 6 months of last employee start date) £50 Re-conversion of STEP (within 28 days of last employee start date) £30 Open Market Employment Permit (Parts A, B and C £65 - For convenience, here is a PDF version of our Application Fees
How do I add a user to a Population Management Portal Account?
- There are occasions when you may need to make an application on behalf of somebody else under your own account, for example, for a family member who does not have an email address.
- If you need to apply for a Permit or Certificate on behalf of somebody else using your personal account, please follow the instructions below:
How will my Permit/ Certificate be issued?
- All of our Permits/ Certificates are issued by email. If you need assistance, please contact our offices.
How will Population Management Contact me?
- With Population Management being a 'paperless office', most correspondence is through emails.
What is Remote Support?
- Remote Support allows our Team to assist you from the comfort of your own computer. Simply telephone our offices (01481225790) where you can invite us to 'mirror' your screen to help you through the application process.
How can I apply for a document for my son/ daughter?
- Yes you can. Please ensure that if you are using your own account that when making an application for your child that you click 'No I am applying for someone else'.
I can't upload my Photo Identification, what can I do?
- We recommend uploading an documents to the Population Portal as a PDF or JPEG. If you need assistance, please email population@gov.gg.
My application says 'Waiting for approval', what does this mean?
- This means you have successfully submitted your application, you can sit back and relax! Population Management will contact you if we require any additional information and the decision for your application.
Individuals and Non Employment-Related
What is Local Market and who can live there?
- Local Market is one of the two 'Housing Markets' in Guernsey. There are restrictions on who can live in these properties. Anyone who is residentially qualified, holds an Employment Permit or an Immediate Family Member of a Local Market Householder can live in Local Market (immediate family members who have lived in Open Market before are not guaranteed to be granted a Permit to live in Local Market and should contact the Population Management Office for guidance). Time spent in this Market is generally counted towards a Residential Qualification.
What is Open Market and who can live there?
- Open Market is one of two 'Housing Markets'. Anyone can live in the Open Market but in most cases time spent living in the Open Market is not time counted towards a Local Market. Typically, properties within the Open Market are considerably more expensive. The Open Market is split into four sections:
- Open Market Part B is Hotels (Click here for more information)
- Open Market Part C is Nursing/ Residential Homes (Click here for more information)
- Open Market Part A is a Private Family Home:
- If you live in a Part A Family Home as the owner or Lease holder (the 'Householder'), or an
- If you have live-in staff (e.g. Driver, Butler, etc.), they can live with you too (with their
- If you have spare space for a lodger, one lodger can share you home with you. But your lodger will only be able to live with you for five years before needing to take a Recognised Break in Residence.
- Of course, house guests can stay with you too. They can stay for up to 90 days in any 12 months without needing a Permit. If you plan to have a house guest for longer that 90 days you should contact us for advice.
- Open Market Part D is a House of Multiple Occupation (Several Persons living in one property and are unrelated.)
- If you live in a Part D house of multiple occupation (HMO) as the owner (the 'householder'), you can live in Guernsey for as long as you want to. There can only be one Open Market householder in each Part D HMO. If you are the householder, your
- If you live in a Part D HMO as a resident, you can live in Guernsey and work in any job for five years before needing to take a Recognised Break in Residence..
My Circumstances have changed, what can I do?
I want to move to Guernsey but don't intend to work
- Then the Open Market is for you! There are about 1,600 private family homes that make up Part A of the Open Market, and they offer a wide range of accommodation, from 'lock up and leave' apartments through to large farmhouses, period properties and ultra-modern homes, many of which have stunning views of Guernsey's coastline. The Locate Guernsey team can help you with all aspects of your move to Guernsey, including business relocation.
What are my responsibilities as a Landlord?
- You must ensure that your tenants occupy your property in accordance with the provisions of the Population Management (Guernsey) Law, 2016, failing to do so may result in fines and/or imprisonment.
- Important information:
- Certificates & Permits will be electronic documents - tenant can give you an email with a link so you can view their Certificate or Permit
- If Certificate or Permit is address-specific, you will be asked to complete part of an electronic application process to confirm the tenancy or lodging agreement
- You should insist on seeing a copy of a prospective tenant's Certificate or Permit before housing them
- There should never be a situation where a person who is or is about to become resident can't show you a valid Permit or Certificate (or their Housing Control document during transition) within 3 days of their arrival
- Please read
What is the difference between an In Policy and Out of Policy Discretionary Resident Permit (DRP)?
- An In Policy DRP are a set of Permits outlining different scenarios that have been agreed by Guernsey where someone who isn't a Permanent Resident can no longer hold their current Certificate/Permit due to a change in Circumstances.
- An Out of Policy DRP is when someone's circumstances do not fit one of the agreed 'In Policy' DRPs (please note that you should contact Population Management before considering applying for this application so we are able to guide you to the right option for you.)
- ◦To find out more about changes to your circumstances click here.
One of my parents, one of their parents (grandparents), and one of their parents (great grandparents) were born in Guernsey, what are my options?
- If you satisfy the criteria outlined in the
Employment-Related
I want to come and work in Guernsey
- Generally, unless you have any
- For further information, please email population@gov.gg
I am temporarily working in Guernsey for a non-Guernsey based employer (includes remote-working), do I need a Permit?
- Anyone working for a non-Guernsey based employer can do so without holding a Population Management Permit or Certificate for
- up to 10 day (includes non-working days) within a 30 day period; and
- no more that 90 days within a 12 month period.
- Anyone exceeding the above durations will need a Permit or Certificate. There are various options which include different accomodation options. Please contact the Population Management Office for further guidance and advice.
- You should also contact Guernsey's Revenue Service for advice during your stay. Please click here to contact Revenue Service.
How do I get an Employment Permit?
- When you have applied for a job in Guernsey, you will need to inform the employer that you would need an Employment Permit, of which they would apply for on your behalf, at their discretion. Please be advised that to get an Employment Permit most jobs require certain qualifications and/ or experience to be eligible for these Permits. A perspective employer should be able to give you more information.
I want to set up a business in Guernsey
- We can help with that! Depending on the type of business, and the skills you need, it is likely that if you can't find the right personnel here in Guernsey straightaway, you will be able to benefit from Employment Permits to help set-up the business. Normally, we would expect the number of Employment Permits you need to reduce over time as you train and develop people already resident in Guernsey, but we recognise that businesses sometimes need strategic employees to move to Guernsey for a long period of time to ensure the business is a success.
- The Locate Guernsey team have the right expertise and contacts to help you manage your business relocation or to point you in the right direction if you are considering a business start-up in Guernsey.
I want to find out about my employee's residence history
- As this is personal data of your employee you will need their consent to access this information. You can ask your employee to fill out the form below which gives you as the named employer permission to access this information:
What is Open Market Part B?
- Open Market Part B is a Hotel
- If you live in a Part B hotel as the owner or Lease holder (the 'Householder'), you can live in Guernsey for as long as you want to. There can only be one Open Market Householder in each Part B hotel. If you are the householder, your
- If you have on-site staff accommodation this can be used to house your full-time staff. They can live and work for you as long as they hold a valid document.
- Remember anyone living with you who is aged 16+ will need to hold a Certificate or Permit.
- Of course, tourists can live in your accommodation too! Any tourist can stay up to 90 days in any 12 months without needing a Permit. If you plan to have a tourist for longer than 90 days, you should contact us for advice.
- If someone is staying in your hotel while visiting the island in the course of their work, and they usually work and their employer is not based in Guernsey, they can stay for 10 days in any 30 day period without needing a Permit, so long as they don't build up more than 90 days in Guernsey in any 12 months.
- If someone staying in your hotel and is employed by a Guernsey-based employer, they will need a Permit.
What is Open Market Part C?
- Open Market Part C is Nursing/ Residential homes
- If you live in a Part C care home as the owner or Lease holder (the 'Householder'), you can live in Guernsey for as long as you want to. There can be only one Open Market householder in each Part C care home. If you are the householder, your
- If you have on-site staff accommodation this can be used to house your full-time staff. They can live and work for you as long as they hold a valid document.
- Residents of your care home will also need to hold a Certificate or Permit to show they are able to live in Guernsey. It is not usual for a person who has never lived in Guernsey to be given a Permit so that they can move into a care home here.
What is classed as a full-time position?
- A job/post of 35 hours or more a week is considered full-time.
What is a Short Term Employment Permit (STEP)?
- (Please note that the employer can only apply for these Permits)
- Valid for a Maximum of one year at a time.
- Renewable (if the job can't be filled locally) until the holder completes a combined period of three years residence under Short Term Employment Permits. Once the limit is reached, a person needs to undertake a recognised break in residence (equal to or greater than their last period of residence) in order to return to Guernsey and hold a Short Term Employment Permit.
- Non-recognised Breaks in Residence count towards your combined period of five years residence.
- Tied to working in a named role for a named employer.
- Permit holder must live in shared Local Market housing but can't be the householder, or Open Market Part D.
- Permit holder's can't accommodate other people.
- Issued for jobs where there are labour shortages in Guernsey.
- Must be full-time post (at least 35 hours a week).
What is a Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP)?
- (Please note that the employer can only apply for these Permits)
- Valid for up to 9 months.
- Once the 9-month limit is reached, the holder must take a minimum of a 3-month break away from Guernsey in order to return to Guernsey and hold a Seasonal Employment Permit.
- This seasonal pattern of working (9 months on-island, 3 months off-island) can be undertaken indefinitely.
- Tied to working in a named role for a named employer.
- Permit holder must live in shared Local Market housing but can't be the householder, or Open Market Part D.
- Permit holder's can't accommodate other people.
- Issued for jobs where there are labour shortages in Guernsey.
- Must be full-time post (at least 35 hours a week).
What is a Medium Term Employment Permit (MTEP)?
- Please note that the Population Management Office are no longer accepting applications for MTEPs. This is in line with the Resolutions of the PIPR Policy Letter. Any MTEPs previously issued will remain valid until their expiry, as long as the holder continues to meet the conditions listed on their MTEP.
- Most job roles that were previously eligible for MTEPs will now be eligible for LTEPs (see below). More information on job roles that can attract an Employment Permit can be found here.
What is a Long Term Employment Permit (LTEP)?
- (Please note that the employer can only apply for these Permits)
- Valid for a maximum of eight years (after eight years the holder becomes an Established Resident).
- Tied to working in a named role for a named employer.
- Permit holder can be a Local Market householder.
- Permit holder can house their immediate family members.
- Issued for jobs where there are skills gaps in Guernsey and the skills needed are in short supply internationally.
- Must be a full-time post (at least 35 hours a week).
What is an Open Market Employment Permit?
- Open Market Employment Permits are issued to people who work in the Open Market property they live in. (Please note that the employer can only apply for these Permits)
- Open Market Employment Permit Part A (Private Family Home)
- Valid for a maximum of five years at a time.
- Renewable as long as the full-time employment continues.
- Tied to working in a named role for a named employer, and living in on-site Open Market accommodation.
- Permit holder can house their immediate family members with their employer/ landlord's permission.
- Open Market Employment Permit Part B (Hotel)
- Valid for as long as the holder continues to live and work on-site in an Open Market hotel.
- Tied to working in a named role for a named employer, and living in on-site Open Market accommodation.
- Permit holder can't accommodate other people.
What is the difference between and In Policy Employment Permit application and an Out of Policy application?
- In Policy Employment Permits are job roles that Guernsey has been recognised as being those where the necessary skill-set and/or labour is in short supply locally.
- Out of Policy Employment Permits are job roles that are not found in the Employment Permit Policy which may be unique and/or that for this particular role recruiting locally has not been successful.
- If you are an employer, please click here to find out more about Employment Permits, including In Policy and Out of Policy information.
What type of employer am I?
- Guernsey-based employer/business:
- An employer who has a Guernsey Employer Social Secuirty Code. Click here for more information and to register for the Population Portal.
- Non-Guernsey based employer/business:
- Where a person's employer is not based in Guernsey, and simply we define the employer as the business/person who pays them, then any application for an Employment Permit needs to be made by the person's employer - on a contractor basis. Click here for more information and to register for the Population Portal.
- The Guernsey based business may choose to 'act as an agent' for the overseas employer and make the 'contractor' application for them.
- Please be advised that you will need written confirmation (email) that the overseas employer has agreed for the Guernsey based business to make applications on their behalf. Click here for more information and to register for the Population Portal.
I want to make an application for my employee but they have a Criminal Conviction
I am a business from outside of Guernsey who is sending employees to undertake temporary employment in Guernsey, do they need a Permit?
- If your business is deemed a 'non-Guernsey based business' (paying your employees wages from outside of Guernsey) and your employees are working in Guernsey on a specific contract for a Guernsey-based employer/resident, they do not need to hold a Permit to work in Guernsey if they are in Guernsey for no more than;
- 10 days within a 30 day period (including non-working days); and
- no more than 90 days within a 365 day period.
- If they exceed the above durations, they will need to hold a Permit (e.g. Employment Permit) to work in Guernsey. You will be required to register with our online service (Population Portal) to make an application. Prior to registering, please contact the Population Management Office for guidance and advice on the options available to suit your business needs.
- You should also contact Guernsey's Revenue Service for advice under the Income Tax and Social Security legislation. Please click here to contact Revenue Service.
Who is the Population Employment Advisory Panel and what do they do?
- The Population Employment Advisory Panel (PEAP) provides up-to-date information to the Committee of Home Affairs about the island's dynamic employment market, and the current and future needs of the island's employer.
- There are six PEAP members, and an independent Chairperson. Between them, the six members represent the interests of all sectors of employment in Guernsey. The PEAP is a channel for information to flow from the island's business sectors to the Committee for Home Affairs about the different levels of skills and manpower shortages in Guernsey and
- The PEAP also reports to the Committee for Home Affairs about the effectiveness of current Employment Permit Policies.
- The Members of the Population Employment Advisory Panel are drawn from six broad employment sectors:
Sector Member Chair Natasha Newell chairman.peap@gov.gg Finance & Professional Services Tim Martin finance.peap@gov.gg Tourism & Hospitality Andrew Chantrell tourism&hospitality.peap@gov.gg Construction/ Infrastructure/ Utilities Tim Guilbert construction.peap@gov.gg Public Sector ( also representing Health/ Education in the private sector and the 3rd sector) Sarah-Jane Taylor health&education.peap@gov.gg Service Industries and Retail Kenny McDonald serviceindustry&retail.peap@gov.gg E-industry Lucy Kirby Lucy.Kirby@gov.gg
