Moving to Jersey: Find a job

​​​​​Finding a job in Jersey

Jersey has a range of job opportunities in various industries and its own employment laws.

If you don’t have a job already, you should look for job opportunities and potential employers before moving to the island.

Employment statuses and registration cards

Before you apply for a job in Jersey, you need to be aware that there may be restrictions based on your residential and employment status.

Residential and employment statuses

Visas and work permits

You might need a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you want to come to Jersey to:

• visit
• work
• study
• settle

You’ll need it before you travel unless you:

• are British or Irish
• hold EU settled or pre-settled status
• hold indefinite leave to remain

Find more information on Visa, ETA and Passport requirements for travel to Jersey.

You might also need a work permit to work in Jersey unless you’re:

• a British or Irish citizen or a British subject with the right of abode
• an EU or EEA passport holder who has been granted settled or pre-settled status
• a non-EU or non-EEA passport holder who has been granted settled or pre-settled statue by virtue of a relationship to an EU or EEA passport holder
• a Commonwealth citizen admitted on the grounds of UK ancestry
  
• a Commonwealth citizen with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode
• a participant in the Youth Mobility Scheme
  
• a minister of religion
  
• a business visitor
  
• a non-EU or EEA passport holder who has no restrictions attached to your stay
  

Your prospective employer needs to apply for your work permit. If this is approved, you’ll need to apply for a visa before you travel to the Island.

Find more information on work permits​.

Looking for a job

There are many different ways to research job opportunities in Jersey.

Jersey employers often use recruitment or employment agencies to screen candidates and find suitable employees. This is particularly the case for specialist or senior level jobs. Some agencies focus on certain sectors, whilst others are more general. These agencies get a finder’s fee from the employer when they successfully place someone in a job.

Some jobs are not advertised, so contacting employers directly is encouraged. Even if they don’t have a suitable job available at that time, the people you talk to may keep your CV on file to consider for future roles. They may even provide you with contact details for other employers they know that may be interested in taking you on.

The main public forums for job adverts are the Jobs in Jersey section of the government website, the Jersey Public Service Careers​ website and the Jobs section of the Jersey Evening Post website. Both display available roles by sector, making it easier to focus on the right jobs.

Consider your references

As part of the recruitment process in Jersey, employers may ask for a reference from your previous employer to gain further insight into your skills and work history.

An employer may ask for multiple references. It’s important to contact ea​ch reference to let them know that they may be asked to supply a reference or be contacted by a hiring employer.

Prepare for your job search

When looking for work, most Jersey employers will expect you to have a current CV. Your CV should include your qualifications, work history, skills, and other experiences.

To accompany your CV, you should include a cove​ring letter. This should be a one page sales pitch about why you are the ideal candidate for the job.

If you’re invited to an interview, do your research on the business and be prep​ared with examples from previous roles where you demonstrated the key skills the job requires.

​Setting up or moving a business to Jersey

If you want to become self-employed, set up​ a business, or move a business to Jersey, by law you must have a licence from the Business Licensing team before you can trade.

These licences are usually only granted to people who have been living in the island continuously for the past 5 years, or who have 'Entitled' status. There can be exceptions where the business is specialised or it has significant economic or social value to Jersey.

You can speak to the Business Licensing team, or you can contact Locate Jersey.

Locate Jersey is the government team whose role is to promote Jersey as a place to live and do business, help with the application process for relocating businesses and high net worth individuals, and provide aftercare services to clients once established on the island. They provide a free, independent, impartial and confidential service.