Minister acts to address ETA-related travel disruption

12 August 2026

​The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Senator Helen Miles, is continuing to press for action to address travel difficulties experienced by some Islanders since the introduction of the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, scheme.

The Minister has written to airline carriers and consular representatives seeking their assistance to ensure passengers with legitimate immigration permissions issued by Jersey are not wrongly prevented from travelling.

Senator Miles said: "I am aware of the difficulties some Islanders have experienced when travelling since the introduction of the ETA scheme. In some cases, this has caused significant hardship for people seeking to return to their homes in Jersey. This is clearly unacceptable and I am treating the issue as a priority.

"We continue to engage with the UK Home Office, consuls and airline carriers to try to resolve these problems. At the heart of the issue is the fact that Jersey, like the other Crown Dependencies, issues its own immigration permissions, which differ from those issued by the United Kingdom.

"This can result in passengers being incorrectly refused boarding despite holding valid immigration permissions. I have therefore written to airlines known to have been involved in these cases and asked consular representatives to use their influence to help address the issue."

Islanders who experience travel difficulties are encouraged to contact Jersey Customs and Immigration Service for advice and support. The Service is working with carriers, consular representatives and the UK Home Office to help minimise disruption and assist those affected.

Senator Miles added: "The introduction of a full eVisa programme across the UK and Crown Dependencies will help resolve many of these challenges. Work is underway to finalise arrangements for rollout in the Crown Dependencies over the next 12 to 24 months.

"Around 22,000 Islanders rely on an immigration permission to live in Jersey. Delivering the eVisa programme will help ensure smoother travel for Islanders and visitors alike, while helping to future-proof our immigration system."