New digital permissions
From 1 July 2026, you'll receive a digital permission to travel when you apply for a visa.
If you already have a visa, there's nothing you need to do at this time.
What’s changing with digital permissions
From 1 July 2026, if you apply for a visa for Jersey, you'll receive a digital permission to travel.
A digital permission to travel is an electronic record of:
- your identity and immigration status, such as whether you have a visitor, student or work visa
- any conditions attached to your permission, such as whether you can work or study in Jersey
Digital permissions to travel replace physical immigration documents. They are linked electronically to your passport and can be checked by airlines and ferry operators when you travel.
You'll also receive a Notification of Entry Clearance by email. This shows your immigration status in Jersey and should be kept with your passport when you travel. The notification is not a travel document and can’t be used on its own.
If you already have a visa, you don’t need to do anything at this time. Existing vignette style visa stickers and wet-ink stamps are not affected by this change.
Airlines and ferry companies can continue to accept vignette stickers and passport stamps as proof of your permission to travel to the Crown Dependencies.
This change is the next step in Jersey's transition to eVisas and digital immigration services.
Contact us if you need more information or guidance.
Who needs a visa
You may need a visa to enter, visit, work, study or live permanently (settle) in Jersey.
The type of visa you need depends on your circumstances.
If you need a visa, you must apply and receive it before you travel.
You must apply through the UK visa application process. Your application will then be sent to Jersey for us to make a decision.
You don’t need to pay the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Check if you need a visa on GOV.UK
Schengen visas are not valid in Jersey.
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British or Irish | No visa needed |
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People with settled or pre-settled status | No visa needed |
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People with indefinite leave to remain | No visa needed |
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Non‑visa nationals, with a work permit for 6 months or less | No visa needed to enter, visit, work or study |
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Non‑visa nationals, with a work permit for more than 6 months | Visa needed to work, study or settle |
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Visa nationals | Visa always needed to enter, visit, work, study or settle |
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Jersey visa processing times
Processing times start after you attend a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photo.
You can apply up to 3 months before you travel. Apply early to allow enough time.
Processing times by visa type
Visitor visa
| 5 weeks
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Student visa
| 5 weeks
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Work visa
| 5 weeks
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Family visa
| 14 weeks
|
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British National (Overseas) visa
| 14 weeks
|
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Processing for Jersey includes extra steps to update Home Office systems. This allows travel providers to confirm your permission to travel before you board.
Do not book travel until:
- your visa is approved
- you have received your decision letter
You may be refused boarding if you travel before this.
Your application may take longer if:
- your information is incorrect or needs more checks
- you need to provide more evidence (for example, proof of funds)
- your documents need to be verified
- more information is needed about your situation (for example, a criminal conviction)
- there are more applications than usual
- there is a technical issue with visa systems
Visit Jersey
If you’re a non-visa nationals, you don’t need a visa to visit Jersey for up to 6 months. If your ETA is refused, you need to apply for a visit visa.
If you’re a visa national, you need a visa to visit Jersey for up to 6 months.
Having an ETA (for non-visa nationals) or a visa (for visa nationals) gives you permission to travel to the UK and CTA but it doesn't replace border checks on arrival. This means:
- you must still satisfy the immigration officer that you're a genuine visitor
- you must explain your reason for travel, length of stay and show you'll leave at the end of the visit
- an ETA or a visa doesn't guarantee entry. It only allows you to board transport and present yourself for examination at the border
- the officer may ask questions, check documents or refuse entry if visitor rules are not met
When you apply for a visit visa, you must show that you’ll:
- genuinely intend to visit
- leave at the end of your visit
- have enough money to support yourself
- not make Jersey your main home
- not work, study, marry or enter a civil partnership
- not live in Jersey for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
You can’t change into any other immigration category while you are in Jersey.
You must apply for a visa through the UK. Your application for Jersey will then be sent to us to process.
Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor on GOV.UK
How to apply for a visa to come to the UK on GOV.UK
Find more criteria for a visit visa in Appendix V(J)Visitor of the
Jersey Immigration Rules.
Work in Jersey
If you’re not British or Irish, you need a work permit to work in Jersey.
Your potential employer needs to apply for the permit and show that you meet the criteria. The criteria depend on the type of work permit.
Work permits are issued to the employer to employ you in a specific role for a certain period.
Once your employer receives the permit, you need to apply for a visa and have it before you come to Jersey. You don’t need to apply for a visa if you’re a non-visa national with a work permit issued for 6 months or less.
Find more information, types of work permits and the application form in the
work permit policy.
How to apply for a visa to come to the UK
Study in Jersey
You may need a student visa if you want to study in Jersey.
You must:
- have been accepted on a full-time course at a publicly funded college, university or a fee-paying school
- have enough money to support yourself and pay for your studies
- meet the other requirements of Part 2 of the
Jersey Immigration Rules
You apply through the UK for a
student visa on GOV.UK. Your application to study in Jersey will then be sent to us to process.
Live permanently (settle) in Jersey
You could be able to apply for a family visa to live with a family member in Jersey such as:
- spouse or partner
- fiancé or proposed civil partner
- child aged under 18
- parent
- adult dependant relative
You’ll need to apply from outside of Jersey.
Find more information on how to apply for or extend a family visa.
Other travel documents you need
You may also need other travel documents to come to Jersey.
If you arrive to Jersey from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA), you must have a valid passport, unless you have settled or pre settled status.
If you have settled or pre settled status, you may travel with a valid EU national identity card.
You may also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
You may be refused entry if you don’t have the required documents or permission.
Check what travel documents you need to enter Jersey
gov.je