What are Licensed Residents?
If you are moving to Jersey for work, it is likely that your employer will have obtained permission for an essential employment permit in order to be able to bring you to the island and you will therefore be classed as a “Licensed” resident, the equivalent of what used to be known as “J” category. “Licensed” residents (also referred to as “essentially employed”) are given permission to live and work in Jersey when an employer has been unable to recruit a suitable candidate locally and requires specialist skills which are otherwise unavailable on the island.
As was the case with the old “J” category licence, an employer must demonstrate to the States of Jersey Housing Department that they have been unable to recruit an individual with the required skills from the local workforce and therefore needs permission for a licence to employ an individual with “essential” skills to fill this post from outside of the island.
Employment options for “Licensed” residents are therefore restricted to “essential” employment for which an employer holds a permit. However, if a “Licensed” resident lives and works in Jersey for a continuous period of 10 years, their residential status will switch to that of an “Entitled” resident and as such there will no longer be restrictions on their employment.
It is important to note that the licence goes with the job and not the person, if a person leaves a “Licensed” job before gaining residential status in their own right of living and working in Jersey for a continuous period of 10 years, they will no longer be able to work and live in Jersey unless a new employer can provide a “licensed” role.
For independent and confidential advice regarding if you are able to work in Jersey please contact:
Email: info@qrcci.com
Office: +44 (0)1534 854574
