Work ongoing to prevent Jersey residents being wrongly denied travel

Jersey's government has issued advice to passengers wrongly denied boarding following the recent introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation.

A small number of non-British or non-Irish Jersey residents have been refused carriage, despite having the right permissions.

The government says the issue is with airlines and ground handlers misinterpreting the ETA requirements, or their systems not correctly verifying the physical Jersey immigration permissions.

Work with the UK Home Office is ongoing to resolve the problems, which have been encountered by the other Crown Dependencies too.

The government says that includes prioritising the uploading of Jersey Immigration permissions into UK systems and reinforcing guidance to carriers.

It says passengers who are wrongly denied boarding should tell the airline to contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub.

It has also provided a document travellers can carry with them in case they are stopped.

Travel document information for carriers and people with Jersey immigration permission.pdf  

The UK's ETA requirement was extended to the Channel Islands on 23 April.

Digital travel permissions extended to Channel Islands this month

It applies to so-called non-visa nationals entering the islands from outside the Common Travel (UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands). These are people who do not hold a British or Irish passport, visa, leave to remain or settled status.

Last month, Jersey's Home Affairs Minister wrote to the UK Home Office asking for help to resolve issues that have 'caused considerable distress for those who have been affected'.

Minister shares travel concerns with UK Home Office

In an update on the work being done and the progress made so far, the government says it is:

• 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 

"Guidance to carriers is clear: Jersey immigration permissions are currently physical documents, and airlines should not expect a digital status or share code."

 Travellers are also being warned that third parties advertising 'emergency ETAs' are doing so for profit.

"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."

 "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."

 Anyone with concerns or queries should contact the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service at immigration@gov.je.