Permit rules relaxed for overseas workers

The States has relaxed immigration requirements for overseas workers

The States has relaxed immigration requirements for overseas workers to make it easier for businesses to hire people.

The Committee for Home Affairs said those applying for a short-term employment permit no longer needed to have two years of relevant work experience for the role they wanted.

It said applicants now needed to demonstrate two years of continuous employment in any role.

Home Affairs President Deputy Rob Prow said the change would help businesses that were struggling to recruit staff.

The committee said it agreed demonstrating relevant experience for some roles could be difficult.

Mr Prow said relaxing the rule was "proportionate and justified" given police checks and immigration history checks remained.

He said the simplified experience would "further assist businesses who are struggling to recruit staff" while ensuring workers were "productive members of society and do not pose a risk".

"Our committee has always said that we listen to industry and do whatever we can to help them secure the staff they need," he said.

"This change is the latest example of that commitment."

Guernsey's new immigration policy was introduced in April 2023, allowing businesses to recruit from across the world.