Help and advice for new businesses
Jersey Business provides free, confidential advice for anyone setting up a business. They can guide you on which business structure is most appropriate for you.
The Business Licensing guidance notes explain the law around getting a business licence and employing staff.
Limited company
You must
register your company with the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) before you can apply for a business licence.
Setting up a Limited Company on the Jersey Business website
Sole trader or partnership
Trading using a business name
If you want to trade using a business name,
check that your business name is not already registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), and that it complies with any guidance issued by them.
Then you need to apply for your business licence and business name together in the form below. If your business licence is granted the JFSC will contact you to
arrange payment or to discuss if there are any issues with your business name. Once your business name is approved, you will receive a certificate.
Trading in your own name
If you want to trade under your own name, you need to complete the application for a business licence below.
Partnership
If you wish to form a Limited partnership this must be registered with the
JFSC before you apply for a business licence.
If you do not wish to form a Limited partnership you just need to apply for a business licence.
Apply for a business licence
You must apply for a business licence to run your business and to employ staff.
We may contact you to check or update your
residential status.
Apply for a business licence
If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the application please
email Business Licensing or call +44 (0) 1534 444444
Book an appointment with the business hub
How we share your data
If your application is successful, your information will shared with Revenue Jersey and the
Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) where necessary.
This is in order to:
- process your application for a business name with the JFSC (if you applied for one)
- organise your personal Social Security contribution liability as a business owner
- register your business as an employer to pay Social Security contributions and ITIS for your staff (if you are employing staff)
- improve the services we provide to you
As we improve our processes, the departments that we notify may change to continue making it easier for you.
If you have any questions regarding how your information may be used, contact us.
Tell Us Once Data Sharing Agreement
Employing staff
If you plan on employing staff you can find information to help you recruit and advertise for staff, understand who you can employ, submit manpower returns and apply to employ Registered & Licensed staff in our
employing staff section.
Paying tax and social security contributions
If your application is successful, we'll contact you to discuss how you want to pay your Class 2 Social Security contributions liability.
Find information on Class 2 contributions payment options for self-employed, including the Startup Plan.
If you're going to employ staff we'll let Revenue Jersey know so they can register your business to pay ITIS (tax) and Social Security contributions for your staff.
Revenue Jersey will contact you by post within seven days of your licence being granted to provide your ITIS and Social Security registration details and a link to where you will submit your monthly employer returns.
Setting up a business if you're on Income Support
If you're receiving Income Support, you need to let us know what your profit and loss accounts are. This is so your Income Support payments can be changed if necessary.
Profit and loss accounts form for self-employed people on Income Support
Register with the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner (JOIC)
The Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 requires all controllers and processors established in Jersey who process personal data to register with them and to pay a fee (subject to certain exemptions).
Under the Law anyone who does not comply with these provisions is guilty of a criminal offence and subject to a fine.
You'll need to let the JOIC know certain details about how you process personal information.
Find out more and register on the JOIC website.
Useful links
Registering as an employer for contributions
Paying Class 2 contributions (if you’re self-employed or don’t pay Class 1 contributions)
Paying employers’ ITIS
Business Licensing privacy policy