The Island of Jersey is the largest and most southerly island of the Channel Islands, which includes Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney. The Channel Islands are situated in the Bay of Mont St Michel and Jersey is just 14 miles (22.5km) from the coast of France and 100 miles (161km) south of mainland Britain. It is 45 square miles (116 square kilometres), with over 500 miles (805km) of roadway. The population recorded in the March 2001 census was 87,186 and this figure is known to double in the tourist season.
Housing Laws are in place in order to safeguard against further dramatic increases in price and the possibility of there being insufficient residential property available for future generations of local people. Therefore the States of Jersey introduced the Housing (Jersey) Law, 1949. Following another influx of newcomers to the Island during the late sixties, the States introduced the Housing (General Provision) (Jersey) Regulations, 1970, These Regulations, which have been subject to amendment over time, exist to identify those persons to whom consent may be granted. In general terms, the Housing Law and Regulations provide that every sale or lease of land in the Island must have the prior consent of the Housing Committee. Failure to comply with this provision is a criminal offence and can result in the parties being prosecuted in the Royal Court.
Work Permits are required by most overseas nationals who are coming to work in Jersey. Some persons may be exempt from the requirement for a work permit; for example a Commonwealth Citizen coming on a Working Holiday or having a U.K. born grandparent. In these and other exempt cases an entry clearance must be obtained before arriving in Jersey. If you think you may be exempt please enquire of this Department. You do not require a work permit if you are a British Citizen or a national of a Member State of the European Economic Area.
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