05 May 2026
The Government of Jersey is continuing to work with the UK Home Office and airlines to resolve operational issues linked to the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, system.
A small number of non British and non Irish Jersey residents have been wrongly denied boarding when travelling, despite holding valid immigration permission to travel. This has occurred because some airlines and ground handlers have misinterpreted ETA requirements or experienced difficulties verifying Jersey issued permissions within their systems.
To be clear: Jersey residents who hold valid immigration permission issued by the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service (JCIS) do not need an ETA to travel.
Valid permissions include:
- visas
- leave to remain
- settled status (including Jersey EUSS)
These permissions are typically evidenced by:
- a passport vignette
- a wet ink passport stamp
- a Jersey EUSS status letter
These documents are valid for travel and entry to the UK.
The current issue is operational, relating to airline systems and document checks, and is not the result of any change to immigration rules or residents’ status. Similar issues have been reported across all the Crown Dependencies and, in some cases, the UK.
JCIS is working closely with the UK Home Office, airlines and Crown Dependency partners to address the problem. This includes:
- Working directly with affected carriers and overseas handlers to resolve individual incidents in real time
- Co-ordinating with the UK Home Office to improve data visibility within carrier systems
- Supporting the prioritised uploading of Jersey Immigration permissions into UK systems
- Reinforcing guidance to carriers on recognising valid Jersey Immigration permissions
- Preparing for the phased transition to digital immigration permissions (eVisas), which will significantly reduce reliance on physical documents
- Ongoing engagement at both senior officer and ministerial level with the UK
Guidance to carriers is clear: Jersey immigration permissions are currently physical documents, and airlines should not expect a digital status or share code. Where needed, carriers should contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub to verify permission to travel.
Anyone wrongly denied boarding is advised to ask the airline to contact the Carrier Support Hub. It is not necessary to purchase an ETA.
The Government of Jersey is aware that some residents are buying ETAs unnecessarily, including so called “emergency” ETAs. There is no emergency ETA. An ETA costs £20 and is issued through one single official system, usually within three working days. Third party services advertising emergency ETAs are doing so for profit.
Residents are encouraged to carry all relevant immigration documents when travelling and to check the latest guidance on gov.je which is here: Travel documents and visas for Jersey.
Residents can also take a copy of this document with them: Travel document information for carriers and people with Jersey immigration permission.
If anyone has any concerns or queries, they are asked to contact the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service at immigration@gov.je.
The Government of Jersey acknowledges the distress caused for people who are affected by this issue and remains focused on securing practical, lasting solutions as quickly as possible.
gov.je