From initial assessment to an established home
The stages show dependencies, not guaranteed government processing times. Housing searches, document checks and immigration decisions each have their own timetable.
01Establish the routeBefore financial commitments
02Confirm housing and business eligibilityBefore signing unconditional agreements
03Submit and wait for required approvalsDecision timing depends on the route
04Set up the household and registrationsAt arrival and service-specific eligibility dates
Make the permissions and dates work before booking the move
A move has several start dates: immigration permission, lawful occupation of a home, the beginning of work, tax residence and healthcare eligibility. Write them down separately. Choose temporary accommodation that is compatible with your status and avoid promising an employer or school a start date that depends on an undecided application.
At the same time, close the outgoing-country plan. Record which property, directorships, staff, contracts and investments remain there. The Jersey plan should use the same departure assumptions as the analysis of the country you leave.
Make the lease useful as well as legally eligible
Check CHW eligibility first, then the commercial terms. For self-contained residential accommodation within the scheme, deposits must be protected with MyDeposits Jersey within 30 days of receipt. Obtain the protection confirmation rather than relying only on a receipt from the agent.
Use the government’s model agreement as a checklist for the actual contract: deposit repayment, service charges, utilities, equipment maintenance and the responsibility for arranging each service. Record the property’s condition and meter readings at handover. For remote work, test internet availability at the precise address and ask for the permitted use of the premises in writing.
Hospital eligibility and a health card are different
Jersey does not operate the UK NHS. Emergency Department and ambulance access, other hospital services and the GP/prescription health card follow different rules. Ordinary working new arrivals can generally qualify for other hospital services after six continuous months with the required contribution or tax connection; non-working arrivals generally face twelve months. Licensed and Licensed for Lease Only status have immediate hospital eligibility under the current guidance, but not automatic health cards.
The Social Security health card normally follows six months and the contribution conditions. It reduces GP charges and supports prescription entitlement; it is not a universal free-care card. Check applicable exceptions, including the published French-national arrangement. Arrange cover for the uncovered period and for off-island treatment or evacuation where necessary.
Confirm the actual place before choosing the home
State-school eligibility depends on the child’s immigration circumstances and the relevant admissions process. The government directs relocating families to the admissions team; independent schools handle applications themselves. A catchment address is part of planning, not a guarantee that the preferred school has a place at the desired time.
Send previous reports, special-educational-needs information and the proposed arrival date early. Ask how the child will join the current year group and what support will be available. University funding and fee status have separate residence requirements; a school place should not be used to infer later higher-education entitlement.
Create one reliable administrative record
New-resident registration produces the Social Security number and registration card. Bring identity, immigration, employment and family evidence appropriate to the household. The service asks people aged sixteen or over to register themselves; younger dependants are included through the parent’s process, with the required appointments and documents.
Check names, dates, address and employer information when registrations are issued. Save the tax correspondence and make sure payroll uses the correct instructions. Notify changes promptly rather than waiting until the first annual return exposes inconsistent records.
Budget the transition as well as the settled year
Keep a separate transition budget for overlapping housing, deposits, removals, travel, document preparation, medical cover and professional work. Then prepare a recurring budget for the home, school choices, healthcare, business administration and expected taxes. Neither budget is captured by a single headline tax rate.
Our implementation work can coordinate these dependencies and the specialists required for the move. A useful first inquiry states your current residence, nationality, household, business activity and preferred date so that we can identify the first decision that must be made.
Sources & research notes9 references
Sources supporting this guide. Research draft awaiting editorial review.
- Government of Jersey — visas and work permits
- Revenue Jersey — residence and liability
- Government of Jersey — tenancy deposit protection
- Government of Jersey — model residential tenancy agreement
- Government of Jersey — resident healthcare costs and qualifying periods
- Government of Jersey — GPs, prescriptions and health cards
- Government of Jersey — education when moving to Jersey
- Government of Jersey — new resident registration
- Government of Jersey — CHW housing guidance