During a public hearing of the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny panel, Constable Len Norman said he made the decision to introduce the fee to cover the cost of the registration programme.
Under the settled-status scheme, EU citizens living in Jersey will need to register for ‘settled status’ from the end of the year to remain in the Island after Brexit.
Those who have lived in the Island continuously for five years will be able to apply for settled status immediately, while those resident for a shorter time will need to apply for pre-settled status, which will enable them to gain settled status after spending five years in the Island.
During the hearing the minister was asked by panel chairman Deputy Rob Ward whether there would be a ‘financial implication’ for the approximately 20,000 residents, who will be affected by the new regime.
‘The UK are charging £75 for settled status, while we are going to cover cost recovery and it is going to cost £25 [for adults] and £12.50 for children,’ said Mr Norman.
He added that the setted-status scheme would be paid for by the charges and confirmed that it was he who made the decision to apply the charge.
Deputy Ward expressed concern that an additional cost was due to be applied on people through no fault of their own.
Mr Norman said that he believed it was a ‘small price’ to pay for the ‘absolute certainty’ of permanent residency rights in the Island.
‘You have seen what has gone on in the UK with the Windrush generation and I don’t want the same thing ever happening in Jersey,’ he said.
‘I think it is a pretty small price to pay for the absolute certainty of settled status in Jersey forever. If they wish to stay, they will have to do it.’
Assistant Home Affairs Minister Gregory Guida added that Brexit would generate costs at ‘every level’ for Jersey and there were a ‘long list’ of things that would need to be addressed.
According to States guidelines, the application process for settled status will check a person’s identity, their length of residency in Jersey and criminal convictions, with only serious or persistent criminality affecting someone’s eligibility.
The hearing was also attended by panel members Deputies Trevor Pointon and Rowland Huelin and Constable Simon Crowcroft.
