Relocation update: new ‘Skilled High Earner’ route

The Skilled High Earner route will complement the existing relocation regime with immediate effect, creating a further limb to the Licensed status route. Ordinarily, a Licensed permission application requires that the role meets the salary threshold of £60,000 or the ‘going rate’ for the particular role, and that (assuming the individual will be an employee) that the role could not be filled from within the local labour market and by a person with long-term residential qualifications. In contrast, the Skilled High Earner route is focussed on individuals who are establishing their own business and working for it in that capacity.

Notwithstanding the focus of the Skilled High Earner route on the business activities of individuals rather than the recruitment needs of an employing business, this new route will be distinct from the high value residency (HVR) route for ultra-high network individuals, which requires an applicant to demonstrate worldwide income of at least £1.25million.

In order to qualify for the Skilled High Earner route, it will be necessary for applicants to be able to:

1. demonstrate that they satisfy the minimum taxable income threshold of £250,000 per annum in Jersey for 10 years or until they achieve Entitled status, whichever comes first; and
2. commit to generating economic and/or social benefit.

As part of this route, an individual may only purchase property valued at £2million or above and they must maintain full time employment through their own business of 25 hours per week. Please see here for the full eligibility criteria and ongoing criteria that must be met.

Applicants must complete this application form which requires details to be provided in relation to the applicant’s personal background and its business. In particular, an explanation must be provided as to how the applicant intends to generate the minimum taxable income required along with the provision of financial information for the prior three years. Applications are to be submitted to Locate Jersey and it is suggested to allow 4-6 weeks from the point of first enquiry to prepare an application, with the evaluation process expected to be completed within 10 working days.

To discuss any aspect of the Skilled High Earner route in further detail, please reach out to any of the team on this page or your usual Mourant contact.