The Jersey Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the publication of updated business licensing and employee status guidance.
It describes the reforms as a significant step toward easing long-standing recruitment and retention challenges in Jersey’s constrained labour market.
For several years, the Chamber has consistently called for a measured relaxation of certain controls, particularly for roles where recruitment has proven extremely
difficult. The changes now introduced acknowledge those realities and provide businesses with greater clarity and a more practical route to securing the skills they need.
The new guidance is clearer and more transparent than before, helping employers understand the permissions available and how to apply for them. Of particular note is the broader availability of licensed and licensed lease-only permissions for roles in recognised skills shortage areas, even at lower salary levels where appropriate.
Key Changes Include:
- Registered permissions: Annual salary of £30,000 or the going rate for the role, with seasonal and temporary immigration permit applications generally
supported. - Licensed lease-only permissions: Available for roles meeting the salary threshold of £54,000 or appearing on the list of qualifying roles, giving access to rent-qualified housing for workers who remain in their roles.
- Licensed permissions: Granted for roles meeting a salary threshold of £60,000 or listed qualifying roles, with access to both buy and rent-qualified housing.
- Streamlined application forms: For staffing permissions for new and existing employers.
- Reduced minimum hours: For licensed permissions, including lease-only, from 30 hours to more than 25 hours per week.
Chamber President Lee Madden (pictured) said: “If Jersey is to maintain the services and standards the community expects, employers must be able to secure the right people. These updates provide clarity and workable options for businesses, especially in areas where skills are scarce. They recognise the recruitment pressures our members have raised and offer a more realistic framework for managing the island’s workforce needs.”
