The Chief Minister has lodged a proposition to extend parts of the UK’s immigration, asylum and nationality legislation to Jersey, which is part of the ‘Common Travel Area’ of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland.
Under the proposals travellers would have to show their passports to airline, ferry and port operator staff, who would be required to carry out basic identity checks on those heading for places outside of the Common Travel Area, such as France, Germany and Spain.
The UK legislation is primarily designed to protect the public against terrorism, crime and illegal immigration, and although Jersey is not a point of entry for asylum seekers, the Island is a link in the Common Travel Area border.
Steve Le Marquand, the director of legal status and revenue at Customs and Immigration, said that currently there were no mandatory checks when people left the Island, although some airlines and ferry companies routinely asked for proof of identity.
Mr Le Marquand explained that when the UK introduced new Immigration Act rules in April last year, there had been warnings of major delays at passport control, but in the event the checks had not been a significant problem.
‘I don’t thing the public will even notice,’ he said. ‘The checks will be done by the carrier companies and will be pretty basic to see if the face on the passport is the one travelling out, but if there are any concerns the staff could then call us.
‘We are not talking about in-depth checks.
‘It will also give immigration officers those powers which the UK has already got, and allow us to check additional documents and to take fingerprints.
‘But from the public’s point of view, they will not notice anything different. We have spoken to Condor, and they say that they already have to do this in the UK and know what to expect. The Airport is liaising with all the airlines, but carriers like Flybe and Air Berlin already make these checks.’
In addition, the Jersey proposals include extending Section 42 of the UK’s 2006 Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act, which will give Immigration officers increased powers to examine passengers as they leave and to detain people for up to 12 hours.
‘This gives the officer the power on embarkation to see if the person’s entry to the Island was lawful and that they complied with the law, for example if they are a visitor, or not entitled to work in Jersey,’ said Mr Le Marquand.
He said that a date had not yet been finalised for the Order in Council to come into effect, but that it was set down for States debate in September.
If you are travelling to Jersey from outside the Channel Islands, UK or Isle of Man, then your pet will need a pet passport.
If you wish to return to Jersey with your pet after a trip abroad, or intend to bring your pet into Jersey for the first time, you need to be aware of the new rules.
When you need a pet passport and how to get one
A pet passport is a document that officially records information related to a specific pet. Its purpose is to speed up and simplify the transport of pets between countries. You can get a pet passport from your local vet and your pet can have its picture in the passport. Whether or not you need a pet passport depends on which country you are travelling into Jersey from.
Travelling between Jersey and Ireland with your pet
All pets travelling between Jersey and the Republic of Ireland must have a pet passport. However, dogs do not need to have a tapeworm treatment and your pet does not need to travel with an approved carrier.
Travelling to Jersey from the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands
You do not need a pet passport when travelling to Jersey from the British Isles. Travelling to Jersey from EU member states and approved non-EU countries
