The number of work permits refused by the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service has risen from three to 195 in the last five years.
The figures were revealed during a quarterly hearing of the Children, Education, and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel yesterday.
Rhiannon Small, head of Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, explained that the service is doing more compliance at the point of work permit application.
“Common issues will be that employers intending to pay less than the going rate for the role, or that the role that they’re applying for isn’t in the work permit policy. Also, we’re looking and scrutinising qualifications and references,” she said.
Ms Small explained that the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service has made “significant changes” to the work permit policy, tightening criteria to make it clear what workers must receive.
She added: “We’ve made sure that the criteria within the work permit policy is very clear about what workers who are coming to Jersey need, as in contract, hours of work, going rate of pay.”
Ms Small explained that Jersey Customs and Immigration Service is focusing on compliance and enforcement, with an emphasis on employer engagement and education about ongoing obligations.
When information comes in about possible breaches, the service has to decide if it meets the threshold for enforcement.
“Any information we get, we will act upon,” said Ms Small. “At the moment, it’s a balance between education and compliance and sanctioning people who are doing the wrong thing.”
Employers who use bad practice can be sanctioned, including being barred from getting further work permits.
There were a total of 3,275 work permits issued last year – 2,433 of which were temporary permits, and 842 skilled worker permits.
JCIS also receives information about non‑compliance across sectors – including underpayment, working outside permit conditions, and unsuitable accommodation.
Ms Small explained: “We’ve had instances where we know that the employers have been using bad practice, and we have sanctioned them – so we have said that they can’t get any more work permits.
“At the moment, it’s a balance between education and compliance and sanctioning people who are doing the wrong thing.”
Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat noted an increase in work permit numbers – from 396 in 2020 to 3,275 in 2025 – which she said was “probably unlikely to change”.
When asked about resources, Ms Small said: “We have to look at our areas of risk and our areas of demand. Immigration, compliance and enforcement [are] areas of demand.
“We’re looking this year at how we can shift resources we’ve got in the service so we can put more emphasis on the compliance aspect. But we will investigate any information, and we have successfully charged immigration offences.”
She also acknowledged that many workers don’t complain about lack of compliance with permit policy because they’re afraid for their immigration status.
“I’m really working hard to try and engage with all stakeholders, to gain that trust and confidence of the migrant workforce on island, so that they can come to us with information and know we will act on it,” said Ms Small.
Deputy Le Hegarat pointed to a new safeguarding group that has been set up to support and protect migrants’ rights following an increase in the number of African and Asian workers being brought to the island and concerns about the level of support they are receiving.
The minister explained: “Quite often, there is a misunderstanding that if there’s a problem with their work permit, they’ll be deported.
“Well, you don’t get deported unless you’ve committed a criminal offence and gone to prison. You might have your work permit removed, but you don’t get deported.
“And I think it is about people understanding that and not thinking that something’s going to happen to them. I think it’s quite important to get that message out.”
Panel chair Deputy Catherine Curtis reported hearing that some work‑permit holders are being told they cannot learn to drive because they don’t have enough time left on their visa.
Ms Small replied: “That is news to me, but I’ll take that away.”