New Immigration Rules Cast Doubt Over French Traveller Scheme

The future of French nationals being able to enter Guernsey on their ID cards is in doubt as the UK prepares to implement new immigration rules.

By the end of 2024, anyone who isn't a British or Irish citizen will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK or Crown Dependencies.

From February 2024 it will apply to travellers from a small number of Middle Eastern countries, but is set to be rolled out to all countries by the end of the same year.

It has raised questions on how the current pilot scheme which allows French travellers to visit the island for a day trip on their national ID card can be extended.

That's because the ETA is linked to the passenger's passport, meaning they must travel on the document.

Prior to Brexit, EU nationals could travel to the islands using just their ID card, but a passport was required after the UK left the bloc, leading to a sharp decline in French visitors to the Channel Islands.

The Guernsey Border Agency says the UK Home Office is introducing the scheme in stages and it is not get in place.

"We are currently working on proposals for consideration by the Committee for Home Affairs for the necessary legislation to enact it.

We will not need any new infrastructure as it will be the responsibility of carriers to check passengers have an ETA before departure."

Island FM asked the States of Guernsey what impact this would have on the French Travellers pilot scheme.

A spokesperson told us it will not affect the current trial and there is no discussion of re-launching the scheme next year, but 'we will cross that bridge when we come it'.