Our Public counter is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 0845-1200hrs, Tuesday and Thursday 0845-1600hrs. Contact details for Immigration and Nationality are: Email - immigration@gba.gov.gg or telephone: 01481 221420.
For these purposes British citizen includes other Commonwealth citizens who have the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom. The Immigration Acts regulate the entry and stay of all foreign nationals and Commonwealth citizens to some degree.
The Work Permit Policy was replaced by the Employment Permit Policy on 3rd April 2023.
To find out more about the new Employment Permit Policy, click here.
If you are an;
- EU/EEA/Swiss national currently living in Guernsey; or
- EU/EEA/Swiss national moving to Guernsey; or
- employer who employs EU/EEA/Swiss nationals in Guernsey,
click here for further information on how Brexit will affect living and working in Guernsey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) Do I need a visa to visit Guernsey?
A1) The Bailiwick of Guernsey is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), along with the other Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland and the UK and therefore maintains the same standard of immigration controls. If you have a UK visit visa, then this will also allow you to visit the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the other Crown Dependencies (Jersey and the Isle of Man). You do not need a separate visa.
Please check this guidance on any visa requirements you may have:- Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or UK_Visa_requirements_July_2023.pdf
This also means that if you are working in the UK or one of the other Crown Dependencies then you may visit other areas without the need for any further permission. You cannot however take employment or live in another jurisdiction without approval from that authority.
Q2) Do I need a work permit to work in Guernsey?
A2) If you are a non-British or Irish Citizen then you must have permission to take employment here in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Please refer to our Employment Permit Policy guidance
Q3) Do Guernsey issue Biometric Residency Cards (BRPs)?
A3) No, we grant permission to remain via letter and wet ink endorsement (a stamp in a persons passport).
Q4) I am a foreign national and I have spent some time in the UK on a Skilled worker visa. I now hold a work permit to take employment in Guernsey. Will my time spent in the UK count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain/settlement (ILR)?
A4) Yes, anytime spent lawfully in approved employment in either the UK, Bailiwick of Jersey or the Isle of Man will count towards the 5 years residency requirement required to be eligible for ILR
Q5) I hold settlement status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) of which was granted in Guernsey. Can I work in the United Kingdom, Jersey or the Isle of Man?
A5) Yes, your settled status applies equally in the United Kingdom, Jersey and the Isle of Man. You will likely need to provide an employer or landlord this link so that they can verify your status:- View and prove your immigration status: get a share code - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You may need to contact the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) customer services on 0300 790 6268 (fees may apply) to explain your situation and request guidance on how to register.
If you were granted EUPS (pre-settled) or EUSS under the scheme by another authority it also applies equally here in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Please contact us with your details so that we may update our records accordingly.
Q6) I am a foreign national who was previously resident in Guernsey. I have moved to the UK and I am being asked for a "Share code" by UK based employers & landlords.
A6) You will likely need to provide an employer or landlord this link so that they can verify your immigration status:- View and prove your immigration status: get a share code - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or Prove your right to rent in England: Get a share code online - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You may need to contact the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) customer services on 0300 790 6268 (fees may apply) to explain your situation and request guidance on how to register.
Q7) I am a foreign national and I need to evidence to my own government that I have not acquired British Citizenship. How can I evidence this?
A7) You will need to follow this link:- Apply for proof that you do not have British citizenship (form NQ) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Q8) Where can I sit the Life in the United Kingdom and Islands test in Guernsey?
A8) Please contact the Guernsey Training Agency Exam Centre | GTA. Please ensure you view and study our local Guernsey supplement from our website in addition to the Home Office publication entitled "Life in the United Kingdom - A Guide to New Residents (Third Edition, 2013"
Q9) What visa do I need to apply for?
A9) Please see our guidance in the downloads section titled "Visa application guidance other categories" If applying as an employment permit holder then please use the guidance titled "Visa application guidance under the employment permit policy"
Q10) What is the status of a person granted leave to remain in Guernsey when they are in the UK?
A10) Schedule 4 of the United Kingdom Immigration Act 1971 covers the integration of the immigration laws of the United Kingdom and Islands. Schedule 4 provides that where a person has been given leave to enter or remain by the authorities of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, that leave, and any condition attached to it, will be treated as if it had been imposed in the United Kingdom. Please follow this link to our downloads section for further information regarding Schedule 4.
Q11) The UK Border Force have endorsed my passport. Can I check this is correct?
A11) An open date stamp is a stamp that you can expect to have placed in your passport by UK Border Force. If the endorsement is anything different or contains any new conditions of stay, or length of stay please contact us so we can check that everything is in order with your conditions.
Passport requirements for those coming to The Bailiwick of Guernsey
- The Bailiwick is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), along with the other Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland and the UK and therefore maintains the same standard of immigration controls.
- There are no routine border immigration controls when travelling within the CTA.
- On arrival in the Bailiwick from Jersey, Isle of Man or UK you don't need to carry a passport. However, you're required to carry some form of recognised photographic identification, please refer to your travel provider for further information. The Guernsey Border Agency will accept whichever form of photographic identification that is accepted by your airline or ferry company for security purposes.
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- Customs and Immigration Officers can ask for proof of identity and you may be required to provide evidence of your immigration status
Arrivals from outside the Common Travel Area
- As of 1st October 2021 everyone travelling directly into the Bailiwick of Guernsey from outside the CTA will require a valid passport. There are exemptions to the passport requirement for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who are carrying a valid national identity card, if they:
- have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- have made a valid application to the EU Settlement Scheme but have not yet received a decision
- are an EU, EEA or Swiss national under the age of 19 and part of an organised school group
- have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- Alternatively, EU, EEA and Swiss national identity cards can be used in association with Frontier Worker Permit or if you are a S2 Healthcare Visitor.
- In these cases, you can continue to use your national identity card to enter until 31 December 2025. Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Any person who does not have a valid immigration status to enter the Bailiwick and CTA or is not carrying the correct documents maybe refused entry.
Arrivals from Ireland
- When travelling into the Bailiwick direct from the Republic of Ireland, British or Irish Citizens will need to carry photographic identification. All other nationalities will be required to carry a valid passport. There are the same exemptions from this passport requirement as listed above for those arriving from outside the CTA
- If you're British or Irish and arriving in the Bailiwick directly from Ireland, you are required to carry some form of recognised photographic identification as Guernsey Border Agency Customs and Immigration Officers may need to confirm your identity and nationality.
French school groups visiting Guernsey
EU / EEA / Swiss school children under the age of 19 who attend school in France and are visiting Guernsey as part of an organised school group must have a valid national ID card or passport.
School children under the age of 19 who are nationals of other countries, being educated in a French school, can visit Guernsey as part of an organised school group and must have a valid passport. If the child would normally need a visa to visit the UK, they do not need one to travel as part of a French school trip.
Adults travelling as part of the French school group must bring their passport (valid French ID cards will be acceptable for day trips only). If the adult would normally need a visa to visit the UK, they must have a visa to travel as part of a French school trip, regardless of the duration of the visit. You can check if you need a UK visa.
French school groups visiting Guernsey for more than a day trip will be required to complete a France-UK school trip travel information form - information on this process can be found on the Visit the UK as part of a French school trip - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) webpage
Other European school groups visiting Guernsey
EU / EEA / Swiss school children under the age of 19 who are visiting Guernsey as part of an organised school group must have a valid national ID card or passport.
School children under the age of 19 who are nationals of other countries, being educated in European schools outside France, can visit Guernsey as part of an organised school group and must have a valid passport. If the child would normally need a visa to visit the UK, they must have a visa to travel as part of the school trip, regardless of the duration of the visit. You can check if you need a UK visa
Adults travelling as part of the school group must bring their passport. If the adult would normally need a visa to visit the UK, they must have a visa to travel as part of the school trip, regardless of the duration of the visit. You can check if you need a UK visa.
EU/EEA/SWISS Settlement Scheme
- THE EU/EEA/SWISS SETTLEMENT SCHEME DEADLINE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS WAS 30 JUNE 2021. WE CAN CONSIDER LATE APPLICATIONS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS WHERE THERE ARE COMPELLING AND COMPASSIONATE CIRCUMSTANCES.
- When the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020, the rights of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens changed. The UK and the EU agreed that your previous rights would continue until 31 December 2020. If you want to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, you need to apply under the EU/EEA/SWISS Settlement Scheme. This allows you and your family members to continue to live and work in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It means you will continue to have ongoing rights to healthcare, work arrangements and access to benefits and public services as you do now. The Population Management Law which operates in Guernsey, and any domestic laws controlling employment and residence in place in Alderney and Sark will continue to apply as now. There is now different arrangements for those EU/EEA/Swiss citizens arriving after 31 December 2020.
- Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, which together with the EU forms the EEA, and Switzerland. You can view information on the settlement scheme and and how to apply for settled status via the application form and guidance notes in the downloads section on this page.
- APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE IN PERSON AT IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY, GUERNSEY BORDER AGENCY, NEW JETTY, WHITE ROCK, ST PETER PORT, GUERNSEY, GY1 2LL.
- APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ON-LINE, APPLICATION FORMS
EU/EEA/SWISS Settlement Scheme Application Form and Guidance Notes [774kb] ARE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT FROM THE DOWNLOADS SECTION OF THIS PAGE, CAN BE COLLECTED FROM IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY OR CAN BE REQUESTED USING THE CONTACT US SECTION BELOW.
- Settled Status (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
- If you have settled status, also known as indefinite leave to remain, this means there is no time limit on how long you can stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who have been granted settled status will have the same access to work, healthcare, pensions and other benefits in the Bailiwick of Guernsey according to the same rules as now.
- If you leave the Bailiwick of Guernsey, UK, Jersey or the Isle of Man, and return within five years, you can enter the Bailiwick of Guernsey and continue to live here.
- If you are absent from the Bailiwick of Guernsey, UK, Jersey or the Isle of Man for more than five consecutive years, your settled status will expire.
- If you have a child born in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and you are settled here, that child will be a British Citizen.
- Pre-Settled status (Limited Leave to Remain)
- If you have pre-settled status, also known as limited leave to remain, this means that you can stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for a period of five years. This will allow you to remain in the Bailiwick of Guernsey until you are eligible for settled status, generally once you have lived continuously in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for five years. EU /EEA/Swiss citizens who have pre-settled status will have the same access to work, healthcare, pensions and other benefits in the Bailiwick of Guernsey according to the same rules as now.
- Close Family Member
- A close family member is a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, dependant child, dependant grandchild, dependant parent or dependant grandparent. A family member can come from anywhere in the world and does not need to be from the EU/EEA/Switzerland. British family members do not need to apply.
- Continuous Residence
- You will need to have been continuously resident in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, UK, Jersey or the Isle of Man for five consecutive years (less in some circumstances) to be eligible to get settled status straightaway. If you have been continuously resident in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, UK, Jersey or the Isle of Man for less than five years you will be eligible for pre-settled status which allows you to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, generally until you have reached the five years needed to be eligible for settled status. If your continuous residence has been broken, time spent in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, UK, Jersey or the Isle of Man before the time it was broken cannot be counted.
- Continuous residence generally means that -over five consecutive years- you have not been outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey, UK, Jersey or the Isle of Man for more than six months in total, in any 12 month period. There is no restriction on the number of times you can be outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey, provided that the total time outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey is not more than six months, in any 12 month period.
- There are some exceptions. You can have a single absence from the Bailiwick of Guernsey for no more than 12 months if it is for an important reason, such as pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational training or an overseas posting for work. Continuous residence is broken of you have been subject to a deportation order, exclusion order or exclusion decision. It can also be broken by periods of imprisonment. Any period outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey on compulsory military service is allowed.
- Implementation Period
- THE EU/EEA/SWISS SETTLEMENT SCHEME DEADLINE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS WAS 30 JUNE 2021. WE CAN CONSIDER LATE APPLICATIONS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS WHERE THERE ARE COMPELLING AND COMPASSIONATE CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Nationals of other countries (including Stateless)
- Nationals of other countries require permission to enter and / or stay in the Bailiwick. This is known as "leave to enter" or "leave to remain" and is granted to persons who qualify under the Immigration Rules. The Rules set out the requirements for people seeking to enter or stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Rules also set out grounds for refusing entry or stay and for deportation.
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Other Bailiwick Laws
- Please note that there are additional separate laws, other than the Immigration Acts, which apply in the separate islands of the Bailiwick which restrict the occupation of dwellings and / or employment.
- The size and make-up of Guernsey's Population is regulated by Population Management Law. The Law is designed to make sure that the island has the right mix of people supporting our economy and community now and also for the future. This is done by using an online paperless system of Certificates and Permits along with Immigration Clearance which gives people the right to live and work in Guernsey.
- The team at the Population Management Office can be contacted by phone on +44(0)1481 225790 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 12pm) or by email at population@gov.gg
Immigration Rules - General
- The Guernsey Immigration Rules make provision as to the practice to be followed in the administration of the Immigration Acts 1971, 1988 and 1999 as extended to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- The Rules regulate entry into and the stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey of Commonwealth citizens, British protected persons, nationals of member states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland, nationals of foreign states outside the European Economic Area and stateless persons.
- The Rules are made by the States of Guernsey Committee for Home Affairs with the concurrence of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and can be found in the downloads section of this page.
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Immigration Rules - Children
- Can I bring my child to the Bailiwick of Guernsey to live with me?
- You can bring your child to the Bailiwick of Guernsey to live with you if you can show that:
- You currently live and are lawfully settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey i.e. with no time limit on your stay
- You have adequate accommodation where you can all live without help from public funds
- You are the child's parent or have parental responsibility
- I am a Work Permit/Employment Permit Holder in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, can I bring my child to the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- With effect from 03/04/2023 you will need to hold a Long Term Employment Permit (approved posts list) in order to house a dependant.
- How can my child qualify to join me in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- Your child must show that:
- They are not leading an independent life, are not married and have not formed an independent family unit
- They are under the age of 18 years
- Important - Children cannot normally come to live in the Bailiwick of Guernsey if one parent is living abroad, unless the parent here has sole responsibility for the child, or if there are serious reasons why the child must be allowed to come here.
- Your child must get a visa / entry clearance before they travel to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- How long can my child stay?
- If both you and your husband or wife are settled here or you have sole responsibility for the child, they will normally be allowed to stay here permanently from the date they arrive.
- If your child comes here with your husband or wife, they will normally be given permission to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for the same length of time as your husband or wife. If your husband or wife is allowed to stay here permanently, your child will normally be allowed to stay here permanently as well.
- Can I bring an adopted child to the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- For Information on how an adopted child may be brought to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, please contact the Immigration and Nationality Section for advice regarding visas etc. Please note that the Immigration Section may seek the advice of The Family Placement Service of the States of Guernsey Health and Social Services Department.
- I am a permanent resident here, and I wish to adopt a child from abroad, what should I do?
- In the first instance you should contact:
The Family Placement Service
Swissville
Rohais
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 1FB
01481223182
https://www.guernseyfostercare.com- When you have clarified the situation with The Family Placement Service, further information concerning visas may be obtained from the Immigration and Nationality Division.
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Immigration Rules - Fiancé(e)s
- Can I join my fiancé(e) in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- You can apply to join your fiance(e) in the Bailiwick of Guernsey as long as:
- They currently live and are settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- They are coming to live permanently in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- What does "present and settled" mean?
- 'Settled' means being ordinarily resident in the Bailiwick of Guernsey without being subject to any time restriction imposed under the extended Immigration Acts on the period for which a person may remain in the Bailiwick.
- "Present and settled" means that the person concerned is settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and, at the time your application is being considered under the Immigration Rules, is physically present in the Bailiwick of Guernsey or is coming here with you, or to join you and plans to live with you in the Bailiwick of Guernsey if your application is successful.
- How do I qualify to join my fiancé(e) in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- You must show that:
- You plan to marry within a reasonable time (usually six months)
- You plan to live together permanently after you are married
- You have met each other before
- There is somewhere for you and your dependants to live until you get married, and you will be able to live without help from public funds
- You and your dependants can be supported without working or claiming any help from public funds.
- You must show that you meet certain language requirements. You can read more about these language requirements in the download on this page.
- You will be allowed to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for six months but you will not be able to take employment of any sort.
- When you are married, you can apply for a 30 month extension to your visa. Near the end of that period, if you are still married and intend to continue living together you will need to apply for a further 30 month extension to your permission to live here. You will be allowed to work throughout that 60 month period should you wish. After 60 months, and again provided you are still married and intend to continue living together, you will be able to apply to stay permanently in the Bailiwick of Guernsey; application can be made near the end of that 60 month period.
- Can my children join me and my fiancé(e) in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- Please see the above section "Immigration Rules Children" to read more about children who want to live in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- Do I need a Visa / Entry Clearance?
- You must get a Visa or Entry Clearance before you travel to the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a fiancé(e).
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Immigration Rules - Unmarried partners
- Can I join my unmarried partner in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- You can apply to join your unmarried partner in the Bailiwick of Guernsey as long as:
- They currently live and are settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, or they are coming to live permanently in the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- You are aged over 18 and your partner is over 18.
- I am a Work Permit/Employment Permit Holder in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, can I bring my unmarried partner to the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- As a work permit/Employment Permit holder you must (with effect from 03/04/2023) hold a Long Term Employment Permit (LTEP) (approved posts list) in order to house a dependant.
- What does "present and settled" mean?
- 'Settled' means being ordinarily resident in the Bailiwick of Guernsey without being subject to any time restriction imposed under the extended Immigration Acts on the period for which a person may remain in the Bailiwick.
- "Present and settled" means that the person concerned is settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and, at the time your application is being considered under the Immigration Rules, is physically present in the Bailiwick of Guernsey or is coming here with you, or to join you and plans to live with you in the Bailiwick of Guernsey if your application is successful.
- How do I qualify to join my unmarried or same sex partner in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- You and your unmarried or same sex partner must show that:
- Any previous marriage or similar relationship, has permanently broken down
- You have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage for two years or more
- You have suitable accommodation which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
- You can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
- You intend to live together permanently
- Your partner is not under 18 years of age
- You are not under 18 years of age
- You meet certain language requirements. More information about these language requirements can be found in the download on this page.
- Do I need a visa / Entry Clearance?
- You must get a Visa or Entry Clearance before you travel to the Bailiwick of Guernsey as an unmarried or same sex partner.
- The Entry Clearance Officer will need to see evidence of a two-year relationship. This may include:
- Documents showing joint commitments, such as bank accounts, investments, rent agreements or mortgages
- Letters linking you to the same address
- Official records of your address, such as your National Insurance card or health card.
- At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for a period not exceeding 33 months. Near the end of that period, if you are still intend to continue living together as partners you will need to apply for a further 30 month extension to your permission to live here. After 60 months, again, provided you are still intend to continue living together as partners, you will be able to apply to stay permanently in the Bailiwick of Guernsey; application can be made near the end of that 60 month period.
- Can my children join me and my unmarried or same sex partner in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- Please see the above section "Immigration Rules Children" to read more about children who want to live in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- Further information can be found in the downloads on this page
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Immigration Rules - Spouses
- Can I join my spouse in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- You can apply to join your Spouse in the Bailiwick of Guernsey as long as:
- They currently live and are settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- They are coming to live permanently in the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- I am a Work Permit/Employment Permit Holder in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, can I bring my spouse to the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- As a work permit/Employment Permit holder you must (with effect from 03/04/2023) hold a Long Term Employment Permit (LTEP) (approved posts list) in order to house a dependant.
- How do I qualify to join my spouse in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- You must show that:
- You are legally married to each other
- Your spouse is present and settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey (see below)
- You both intend to live together permanently as husband and wife
- You have met each other before
- Together you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
- You have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
- Your spouse is not under 18
- You are not under 18
- You meet certain language requirements. More information about language requirements can be found in the downloads on this page.
- If your spouse has more than one wife or husband, only one will be allowed to join them in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for a period not exceeding 33 months. Near the end of that period, if you are still married and intend to continue living together you will need to apply for a further 30 month extension to your permission to live here. After 60 months, and again provided you are still married and intend to continue living together, you will be able to apply to stay permanently in the Bailiwick of Guernsey; application can be made near the end of that 60 month period.
- The Immigration and Nationality Division will deal with your application to stay permanently and give you information on what you will need to do.
- What does "present and settled" mean?
- "Settled' means being ordinarily resident in the Bailiwick of Guernsey without being subject to any time restriction imposed under the extended Immigration Acts on the period for which a person may remain in the Bailiwick.
- "Present and settled" means that the person concerned is settled in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and, at the time your application is being considered under the Immigration Rules, is physically present in the Bailiwick of Guernsey or is coming here with you, or to join you and plans to live with you in the Bailiwick of Guernsey if your application is successful.
- Can my children join me and my husband, wife, in the Bailiwick of Guernsey?
- Please see the above section "Immigration Rules Children" to read more about children who want to live in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- Do I need a visa / Entry Clearance?
- You must get a Visa or Entry Clearance before you travel to the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a Spouse.
- The rules for going to the Bailiwick of Guernsey are different if you or your spouse (your 'sponsor') is a national of another member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. EEA members are the member states of the European Union, plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Further information can be obtained from your nearest British mission overseas that offers a visa service.
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Immigration Rules - Procedure for reviewing immigration decisions
- The following explains the procedure for reviewing immigration decisions made in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and describes the procedure for reviewing those decisions. Not all immigration decisions will be reviewed. The criteria for such reviews are set out in the Immigration Rules document which can be found below.
- References to 'immigration decisions' mean decisions made under The Immigration (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules 2008 ('the Rules')
- All references to 'Division' in this document refer to the Immigration and Nationality Section of the Guernsey Border Agency.
- Background
- Decisions concerning the admission of foreign nationals to the Bailiwick of Guernsey are made by Immigration Officers acting under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971, as extended to the Bailiwick by the Immigration (Guernsey) Order 1993 and the Immigration (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules 2008. Paragraph 1 (3) of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971, as extended, states that Immigration Officers shall act in accordance with such directions as may be given them by the Lieutenant Governor, as respects the entry of persons into the Bailiwick and the period for which such persons may remain.
- Certain immigration decisions may be subject to Judicial Review and the provisions of the Human Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000 apply to decisions made (see sub-paragraph 6 below).
- The applicant will be informed in writing of the decision and the reasons for it. The applicant will also be advised whether the decision can be reviewed.
- Provided the applicant who has requested a review has valid leave to enter or remain they may ask for a review of the decision whilst they are in Guernsey. Should their leave expire before a review is concluded, they will not be required to return abroad during the review process. In such cases temporary permission to remain will be granted to cover the review process.
- Enforcement action to remove a person applying to have a review of an Immigration decision will not be suspended, and that review will be conducted whilst the applicant is outside the United Kingdom and Islands. This includes persons who no longer have valid leave to enter or remain or are otherwise unlawfully in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- Immigration decisions which may be reviewed
- Immigration decision may be reviewed if the applicant believes:
- an immigration decision is not in accordance with the Rules; or
- an immigration decision is otherwise not in accordance with the Law; or
- if the immigration rules allowed the person who made the decision to exercise their own judgement on the circumstances of the case and their judgement should have been exercised differently.
- The main types of reviews considered by the Division are against decisions to:
- refuse a person entry, or entry clearance to, or leave to remain in, the Bailiwick of Guernsey for permanent settlement; or
- refuse a person entry to the Bailiwick of Guernsey as the dependent of a work permit holder; or
- refuse a person entry to the Bailiwick of Guernsey for a family visit.
- For these purposes, family means:
a) spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or first cousin*;
b) father-in law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law;
c) stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother or stepsister;
d) spouse's son or daughter;
e) a person with whom the family visitor has lived as a member of an unmarried couple for at least two of the three years before the day on which the application for entry clearance was made.- "First cousin" means the uncle's or aunt's son or daughter.
- Immigration decisions which will not be reviewed
- An Immigration decision will not be reviewed where the applicant:
- is seeking to enter or stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a visitor other than for a family visit as defined in 3.2 above;
- is seeking to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for a purpose other than one for which leave to enter or remain may be granted in accordance with the Rules;
- does not satisfy a requirement of the Rules e.g. entry clearance, age or nationality requirement;
- has failed to produce a valid national passport or other document satisfactorily establishing identity and nationality; or
- is seeking to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for a period greater than that permitted by the Rules;
- is refused permission to take employment;
- has a condition prohibiting employment attached to their leave to enter or remain; or
- submitted an application to extend their stay or for permanent residence after their existing leave to enter or remain in the Bailiwick of Guernsey already expired.
- Review Procedures
- Any application for a review of an Immigration decision must be made in writing to the Assistant Chief Officer, Head of Borders, Immigration and Nationality Division, Guernsey Border Agency, White Rock, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2LL no later than 14 days from receipt of the letter advising of the Immigration decision. The Assistant Chief Officer will acknowledge receipt of a request for a review in writing and arrange for a review to be undertaken by a member of the Division's Senior Management team who was not involved with the original decision. The outcome of such a review will be provided to the applicant in writing, with the full reasons for the decision.
- If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of a review conducted under paragraph 5.1 above, they may request that the application be referred to the Chief Officer of Law Enforcement for a review. The outcome of such a review will be provided in writing.
- Should the applicant wish to seek leave to apply for Judicial Review, they are advised to contact an Advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey.
- If acting on behalf of an applicant, the Immigration and Nationality Division will need to be satisfied that the person requesting the review has written authority from the applicant to act on their behalf and for all relevant information to be disclosed in accordance with the provisions of The Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2017.
- Human Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2000
- On 22 January 2001, the Human Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000 was registered in the Royal Court. The Law was brought into force on 1 September 2006 by virtue of the Human Rights (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000 (Commencement) Ordinance, 2006.
- The Human Rights Law incorporates provisions from the European Convention on Human Rights into Bailiwick Law. The Law makes it unlawful for a public authority to act incompatibly with the Convention rights and allows for a case to be brought in a Bailiwick court or tribunal against the authority if it does so. However, a public authority will not have acted unlawfully under the Law if, as the result of a provision of primary legislation, it could not have acted differently.
- If the applicant considers that a decision made by the Division has breached their human rights then they are advised to seek legal advice.
- Further Advice
- For further advice regarding reviews of Immigration decisions, please contact the Guernsey Border Agency, Immigration and Nationality Division.
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Naturalisation/Registration as a British Citizen
- Check if you can become a British citizen - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Forms are available for collection from our office. Alternatively you can print a form directly from the Home Office website:-
- Become a British citizen by naturalisation (form AN) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or Register child under 18 as British citizen (form MN1) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If downloading from the website please ensure that you download our local supplements to accompany the application (see our downloads section).
Immigration Fees
- Immigration fees are set out in the
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
