How To Get Residency in Jersey | An Incomplete Guide
Capital: St Helier
Population: 103,267 (2021, 182nd)
Area: 119.6km2
Offical Language: English
Currency: Jersey Pound （equal to Pound, as of Apr 19, 2024, 1 Pound = 1.24 USD）
GDP per Captial: £45,783 (2015)
Human Development Index: 0.985
Region Profile:
The Jersey region, consisting of Jersey Island along with two adjacent uninhabited island groups, is located in the English Channel near the French coast. This region is under the direct governance of the British Royal Family, and while it is internationally acknowledged as a British territory, it is not legally part of the United Kingdom.
Situated just 23 kilometers from France, Jersey Island boasts a well-developed economy. Financial services sector is particularly significant, serving as the foundation of the island’s economic activities.
Visa & Immigration System:
As a direct jurisdiction of the British Royal Family, Jersey’s visa policies align with those of the United Kingdom.
The only visa unique to Jersey is the High Value Residency visa, which is aimed at wealthy foreigners. This visa does not require a resume or English proficiency, focusing instead on the economic capabilities of the applicant: to qualify, one must have an annual income of over £1.25 million, become a local tax resident, and purchase property on Jersey worth at least £1.75 million.
High Value Residency Program:
Who is eligible for a Jersey high value residency visa?
Jersey offers a High Value Residency Program for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Applicants must demonstrate their capability to pay annual tax of 250,000 pounds (Jersey does not have inheritance tax, corporate tax, estate tax, capital gains tax, and taxes the first 1.25 million pounds of global income of tax residents at 20%. This implies that the applicant must have an annual income exceeding 1,250,000 pounds) and have personal assets totaling more than 10 million pounds. Additionally, within two years of obtaining the visa, the applicant must purchase an apartment worth no less than 1.75 million pounds or a house worth no less than 3.5 million pounds.
Financial background is not the sole determinant. Jersey government will also examine the applicant’s situation in terms of business contributions, degree of community integration, diversity, and other aspects before making a decision.
The applicant should demonstrate there will be an identifiable and measureable benefit to Jersey. This might include one, or a combination, of the following:
- the creation of employment opportunities.
- the use of local professional advisors
- the investment of funds locally
- the management of their wealth or business activities from Jersey
- the relocation of a business to Jersey
The extent to which the applicant needs to demonstrate more than one of the above will depend on economic contribution of each of the above.
Consideration of each case would take account of the inward investment criteria established for high value business.
How many applicants are applying for this visa?
Since 2020, Jersey has received between 10 and 30 HVR visa applications anually and has approved the majority of them.
Detailed visa data are as follows:
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In 2020, Jersey received 23 HVR applications and approved 20 of them;
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In 2021, Jersey received 25 applications and approved 23 of them;
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In 2022, Jersey received 13 applications and approved 9 of them;
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In 2023, Jersey received 30 applications and approved 29 of them;
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In 2024, Jersey received 23 applications and approved 18 of them;
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Up to April 2025, Jersey received 13 applications and approved 12 of them.
How to apply for Jersey high value residency visa?
To apply for Jersey’s HVR visa, you first need to prepare all required documents and submit your application at a British overseas consulate or embassy.
Required documents for this program include:
Applicant identity documents: This includes all primary and secondary applicants’ passports, passport-sized photos, as well as proof of relationship documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates for both primary and secondary applicants;
Application letter: You need to provide a handwritten application letter, along with two valuable recommendation letters from referees or companies;
Primary applicant’s financial status report: You need to provide financial proof documents such as a personal business resume, global income report, and personal asset report;
Certificate of no criminal record: All adult applicants must provide a certificate of no criminal record.
Relevant Jersey authorities will conduct a background check on your application. Additionally, you will need to attend a brief interview to explain the legality of your funds and demonstrate your ability to pay required taxes annually.
Only after your application is approved can you enter Jersey, purchase property, and obtain your residence card.
The processing time for Jersey High Vlaue Residence visa is only two weeks, and visa fee is £5,000 per person for both primary and secondary applicants.
How long can I stay in Jersey with a high value residency visa?
The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed indefinitely.
Every year, local government will check every applicant’s situation in terms of business contributions, the degree of community integration, diversity, and other aspects before making a decision.
Foreign nationals who have legally resided in Jersey for five years can apply for permanent residency.
After obtaining permanent residency, and upon completing six years of continuous residence locally (i.e., the second year after getting permanent residency), you can apply for a British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) passport.
BOTC citizens who meet relevant residency, nationality test, and social integration requirements can then register as British citizens.
Useful Links:
Locate Jersey：https://www.locatejersey.com/
Jersey High Value Residency: https://www.gov.je/Home/RentingBuying/HousingLaws/pages/highvalueresidency.aspx