Guernsey employers face delay over work permits

Friday, 2 October 2026 12:20

By Euan Mahy

A 3,800 item backlog is described by the head of Home Affairs as 'sobering reading.'

Home Affairs joins Revenue Services in trying to deal with a serious structural backlog.

In an update from the Committee, 3,800 work and live permits are waiting to be processed, and around 300 visa requests are also outstanding.

Employers make an application on behalf of an employee and it means businesses like hospitality, care and finance are without staff.

Committee president Mark Leadbeater says this is far from ideal:

"The backlog of applications makes for very sobering reading, however, whilst I am disappointed to have to make an announcement like this, it is important that there is clarity around exactly where and how we are going to rebuild confidence in the system."

Deputy Leadbeater says his committee needs extra help to catch up with an historical waiting list:

"The allocation of additional resources will be essential if we are to make timely progress."

The complexity of applying for a STEP, or Short Term Employment Permit, is seen as a key reason for the backlog, along with referrals and rejections, which are time consuming.

Deputy Leadbeater says the system needs to improve:

"The Committee firmly believes that the regime must continue to evolve and flex to respond to the needs of industry, whilst responsibly managing the consequences of accessing a worldwide employment pool on our Island community."

The department is one of many that has been reviewed by States chief exec Boley Smillie who has vowed to route out inefficiency.

Earlier this year, the head of Population Management left his position, and part of the reason cited was that he lived in the UK yet was dealing with a Guernsey immigration system.