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Healthcare Work Permit Rules Relaxed

Wednesday, 13 July 2022 11:29

Guernsey's immigration rules are being changed to make it easier for employers to get work permits for staff.

The Home Affairs Committee is also making it easier for carers to come to work in the Bailiwick.

The committee says Health and Social Care providers will be able to apply for permits for semi-qualified or non-qualified health support workers.

Previously applicants had to be entitled to work in the island.

The change is to bring the Bailiwick's rules in line with the UK, where there' is already a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers.

Semi-qualified staff will be able to apply for a three-year permit, and non-qualified staff will be able to apply for one year.

Those periods can be extended if the worker increases their vocational qualifications during their employment.

For other industries, Guernsey businesses will soon be able to apply for a work permit before they recruit a new member of staff.

The 'pre-approval option' is to make it easier to recruit the best candidate for the role, and start the process of gaining a licence to work as early as possible, reducing any delays in them being able to start work.

The States says the change comes in response to the recruitment difficulties being experienced by various industries.and delays with the UK visa processing times because of the war in Ukraine.

"The Committee is always looking at ways in which we can help industry and employers by streamlining the processes which take place locally when they look to recruit staff from overseas. It is hoped that both of these changes will give more options to those employers and allow them to be more flexible when recruiting staff." - Deputy Rob Prow, President of Home Affairs.

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