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Unmarried partners who have been together for at least two years will be able to hold the same employment rights as spouses and civil partners.
Those not in a marriage or civil partnership were previously restricted to Registered jobs for the first five years of their residence in the island.
However, States Members today voted to approve changes to the Control of Housing and Work (Residential and Employment Status) Regulations, meaning that, provided an individual's partner holds Entitled, Entitled to Work or Licensed status, the unmarried partner can be granted Entitled for Work Only status and the ability to access the full local labour market, including ‘essential roles’.
Ministers said the removal of what they termed an "unnecessary restriction" was also intended "to make the island more attractive for Jersey-born people who want to move back with their partner, in the case that both could work in their area of expertise".
Public guidelines are due to be issued to explain the types of evidence required to demonstrate an "enduring relationship", which is defined as "similar to a marriage or civil partnership and which has existed, without breaking down, for a period of at least two years".
Assistant Minister Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who serves on the Population and Skills Ministerial Group, previously said this could include evidence of cohabitation, such as joint utility bills, official documents linking individuals to the same address, a joint tenancy, mortgage or bank account.
The burden of proof will be on the applicant to show they meet the relationship requirements.
EXPLAINED: How employment rights for unmarried partners might get a boost
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