However, Constable Len Norman warned that anyone found to be living in the Island past the deadline for applications for settled status of 30 June 2021 would be in Jersey illegally.
His comments follow the revelation that thousands of EU nationals have yet to apply for settled status to remain in the Island post-Brexit.
It has been estimated that around 20,000 EU nationals live in Jersey and around 6,000 of them have not yet applied for the status.
However, Mr Norman said the 20,000 figure was an estimate and there was no way to know how many of those people were still in the Island, how many have dual nationality and how many have had children.
He added that the 6,000 figure could therefore be lower, but it was not known.
The minister said that applications for settled status had once again started to rise, having reduced to what was previously described as a ‘dribble’ during lockdown.
‘We are now seeing the rate of applications go back up to around 500 per month,’ he said, adding that the need for EU nationals to apply for settled status by the 2021 deadline had been promoted in recent years with the help of various groups and organisations, including churches and charities.
‘These initiatives will continue next year as applications can still be made up to 30 June 2021,’ he said.
He added that a social media campaign was also being filmed.
‘Subsequently [to 30 June] anyone who has not applied for settled status would be in the Island illegally,’ he added. ‘Any cases found would be dealt with on a case by case basis as sympathetically as possible.’
