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Locate Guernsey<br />

<strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

<strong>Webinar</strong> <strong>Brochure</strong><br />

8 October <strong>2020</strong><br />

A better life for you<br />

1


Thanks to our sponsors<br />

Locate Guernsey would like to thank the following businesses for their valuable<br />

support of the Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong>:<br />

Foreword<br />

by Jo Stoddart,<br />

Director, Locate Guernsey<br />

Thank you for registering for Locate Guernsey’s<br />

<strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong>. We hope that you will<br />

enjoy the opportunity to find out more about<br />

the beautiful island of Guernsey and the many<br />

benefits of making a home and running<br />

a business here.<br />

Guernsey enjoys an<br />

excellent reputation which<br />

has been built on political<br />

and economic stability.<br />

It is seen as a jurisdiction<br />

which is safe, secure<br />

and trusted and this has<br />

certainly proved to be the<br />

case during the island’s<br />

management of the<br />

Covid-19 crisis. Guernsey<br />

is a beautiful and dynamic<br />

place where your family<br />

and your business can<br />

thrive and prosper in<br />

a very uncertain world.<br />

We are very grateful to<br />

Stephen Lansdown CBE,<br />

Deputy Gavin St Pier, and<br />

other recent arrivals who<br />

have been willing to share<br />

their thoughts about<br />

living in Guernsey with<br />

our audience and we have<br />

no doubt that you will<br />

enjoy their contributions<br />

to this webinar.<br />

This brochure contains<br />

some important<br />

information about island<br />

life and I encourage you<br />

to read it and refer back<br />

to it. If you require more<br />

detailed information<br />

about any subject, please<br />

do contact the Locate<br />

Guernsey team for this<br />

and answers to any<br />

specific questions you<br />

may have – we want to<br />

help you understand<br />

how easy it is to make<br />

a home on the island.<br />

I relocated to Guernsey<br />

15 years ago having<br />

previously lived in Paris,<br />

London and Jersey.<br />

Contact details<br />

T: +44 (0)1481 743834<br />

M: +44 (0)7781 134567<br />

E: Jo@locateguernsey.com<br />

I feel very lucky that my<br />

children have enjoyed<br />

a childhood in Guernsey<br />

that many people can<br />

only dream of – excellent<br />

education, great<br />

healthcare, clean air<br />

and a carefree existence<br />

in a safe and beautiful<br />

place. Guernsey truly<br />

does offer a better life<br />

for you and we look<br />

forward to welcoming<br />

you to our shores.<br />

2 Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

3


Foreword<br />

by Gavin St Pier,<br />

Chief Minister, States of Guernsey<br />

I am delighted to have been invited by Locate<br />

Guernsey to join today’s <strong>Showcase</strong>. In a world that<br />

is increasingly turbulent and uncertain, Guernsey<br />

shines bright as an island of stability. I extend a<br />

warm welcome to you and hope that you find the<br />

webinar useful.<br />

Foreword<br />

by Stephen Lansdown CBE<br />

Stephen Lansdown CBE is co-founder and former<br />

chairman of Hargreaves Lansdown PLC. Stephen<br />

moved to Guernsey in 2010 and is a firm supporter<br />

of local business, culture and sport. His many other<br />

business interests include investments in Africa,<br />

renewables and sports.<br />

Guernsey has been a selfgoverning<br />

jurisdiction of<br />

the English monarch since<br />

1204, for over 800 years<br />

– 500 years before the<br />

Act of Union creating the<br />

United Kingdom and 750<br />

years before the inception<br />

of the European Union.<br />

Not only does this mean<br />

our own independent<br />

government, parliament<br />

and judiciary; but our own<br />

tax and legal systems.<br />

We receive no public<br />

money from outside the<br />

island. We run balanced<br />

budgets and have a tiny<br />

national debt amounting<br />

to around 12% of GDP.<br />

Our government is<br />

small in relation to our<br />

economy, at only 22% of<br />

GDP – one of the smallest<br />

4 Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

ratios of any developed<br />

economy or member of<br />

the OECD. This is achieved<br />

with a 20% flat rate of<br />

income tax, a rate which<br />

has been unchanged for<br />

60 years; and with no<br />

VAT, capital gains, wealth<br />

or inheritance taxes. Our<br />

political system is unique,<br />

and whilst previously all<br />

elected parliamentarians<br />

were independent, the<br />

election of October<br />

<strong>2020</strong> will be the first<br />

to see the participation<br />

of local political parties.<br />

This enables government<br />

to be nimble and<br />

respond quickly with<br />

policy developments<br />

blending the dynamism<br />

of independents<br />

and the stability of<br />

political organisations.<br />

As a small open economy,<br />

our government<br />

recognises and<br />

appreciates the value of<br />

private enterprise and<br />

is able to design policy<br />

to be highly supportive<br />

of, and responsive to,<br />

the needs of business.<br />

We are lucky enough to<br />

couple this independence<br />

and entrepreneurial<br />

spirit with easy and<br />

quick access to the UK<br />

and Europe and an<br />

idyllic setting to call<br />

home. It really is the<br />

very best of all worlds.<br />

Guernsey guarantees you<br />

the warmest of welcomes.<br />

We extend to you an<br />

open invitation to visit us<br />

where the team will be<br />

on hand to help you in<br />

any way they can.<br />

It was on the 19th<br />

March 2010 that my<br />

wife, Maggie and myself<br />

moved out of our home<br />

of the previous 23 years<br />

in Bristol and with a little<br />

trepidation moved here<br />

to Guernsey. It is fair to<br />

say we have never had a<br />

moment of regret since.<br />

It has turned out to be<br />

everything we had hoped<br />

for and more besides.<br />

We knew it was a<br />

beautiful island, having<br />

been here on holiday<br />

before, but when you<br />

have the time to roam the<br />

beaches, walk the cliff<br />

paths, breathing in the<br />

clean air you soon realise<br />

what a special place it is.<br />

The community spirit<br />

here is something to<br />

be proud of. Everyone<br />

seems to join in. Whether<br />

it is participating in the<br />

Eisteddfod, playing sport<br />

or attending the annual<br />

shows there never seems<br />

to be a shortage of<br />

numbers or enthusiasm.<br />

You can of course keep<br />

yourself to yourself but if<br />

you want to join in you<br />

are made very welcome<br />

and there is plenty to do.<br />

It was rumoured that I<br />

came here to retire – far<br />

from it – I have never<br />

been busier. The business<br />

community on the island<br />

is vibrant and I have seen<br />

many opportunities to<br />

invest both locally and<br />

internationally. With<br />

low taxes and a stable<br />

independent government<br />

(who you can talk to<br />

directly) it provides a very<br />

special environment in<br />

which to do business.<br />

Guernsey is very much<br />

our home and a place<br />

where we are proud<br />

to live. The trepidation<br />

we had when we first<br />

moved here over 10 years<br />

ago centred around:<br />

• Would the Public Health<br />

System work for us?<br />

• Would we make<br />

new friends?<br />

• Would we miss<br />

our sport?<br />

• Would we be bored?<br />

• Would we be safe?<br />

We need not have<br />

worried. The handling of<br />

the Covid-19 pandemic<br />

is a clear illustration of<br />

how the Government,<br />

Public Health and<br />

the Community can<br />

work together. We<br />

are extremely grateful<br />

for the efforts of all<br />

concerned and extremely<br />

pleased to have made<br />

Guernsey our home.<br />

5


Why Guernsey?<br />

Guernsey...<br />

working for you<br />

Guernsey...<br />

less taxing for you<br />

Guernsey...<br />

a better life for you<br />

Whatever your reasons for considering relocation to Guernsey, this<br />

beautiful island, located within sight of the Normandy coast of France<br />

and just a 35-minute flight from the UK, offers a better life from so<br />

many perspectives. Living in Guernsey provides the opportunity to<br />

embrace a convenient and healthy work life balance, complemented<br />

by leisure opportunities around stunning coastal scenery.<br />

Whether you are thinking<br />

about your family’s wellbeing,<br />

have plans to sell<br />

your business, crave a<br />

more relaxed pace of life<br />

or quite simply want to<br />

live in a safe, secure and<br />

friendly environment,<br />

then Guernsey has so<br />

much to offer.<br />

Just a short distance<br />

from the UK and Europe,<br />

Guernsey is a beautiful<br />

island with a big heart.<br />

An absolute gem<br />

surrounded by stunning<br />

scenery, golden sandy<br />

beaches, captivating cliffs<br />

and crystal clear seas.<br />

World-class financial<br />

and professional<br />

service providers in<br />

a well-regulated,<br />

internationally<br />

recognised and<br />

compliant jurisdiction<br />

Strong digital and<br />

telecommunications<br />

infrastructure for<br />

connectivity<br />

A base for leading<br />

private equity<br />

business and home<br />

to ‘The International<br />

Stock Exchange’<br />

Strong investor<br />

networks helping<br />

scale-up business and<br />

those bringing new<br />

business to the island<br />

No minimum<br />

revenue levels to<br />

gain residency<br />

Flat rate of 20%<br />

personal income tax<br />

and 0% income tax<br />

for most companies<br />

Buy an Open Market<br />

Part A home for<br />

£1.32M or more in<br />

your first year to<br />

enjoy an income<br />

tax cap of £50k per<br />

annum for up to<br />

4 years<br />

A tax regime<br />

compliant with<br />

OECD standards of<br />

information exchange<br />

Income tax<br />

caps available<br />

A family-orientated,<br />

friendly, safe and<br />

secure community<br />

Excellent education<br />

and healthcare systems<br />

Wide range of sports<br />

and outdoor activities<br />

available including<br />

golf, tennis, sailing<br />

and rugby<br />

Fresh air, amazing<br />

beaches, cliff walking<br />

and island-hopping<br />

experiences<br />

Ease of access to an<br />

Open Market Part A<br />

home, enabling you<br />

and your family to<br />

live and work in the<br />

island indefinitely<br />

6<br />

Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

7


Meet the team<br />

Locate Guernsey is a government-funded agency which is part of the Economic<br />

Development team of the States of Guernsey. Our purpose is to promote the<br />

island as a destination for relocation to wealthy individuals who would become<br />

Open Market residents and businesses with low footprint/high value and scalable<br />

attributes. We are a free resource, able to provide tailored guidance, information<br />

and introductions at any stage of the process, from initial enquiries and<br />

reconnaissance visits, throughout the relocation process and beyond, helping<br />

new residents and businesses to hit the ground running and establish their<br />

networks when they arrive.<br />

Paul Kilminster<br />

Relationship<br />

Manager<br />

Born in Guernsey, Paul’s from a family of relocators<br />

from the 1960s! Having joined a bank in Guernsey<br />

from school, his career took him to the UK before he<br />

relocated ‘home’ with his partner to raise a family in<br />

Guernsey, simply because ‘it’s the best place in the<br />

world for all of that’. Joining Locate Guernsey in 2018,<br />

Paul relishes the opportunity to ‘hook’ prospective<br />

residents with his extensive knowledge of corporate<br />

Guernsey and passion for the island’s community,<br />

heritage and environment. He’s clear it’s a valuable<br />

privilege to be able to call Guernsey your home.<br />

Jo Stoddart<br />

Director<br />

Jo has extensive personal experience of relocation<br />

having lived in the UK, Paris and Jersey. She relocated<br />

to Guernsey 15 years ago and founded a successful<br />

pan-island relocation consultancy working alongside<br />

HNW individuals and businesses relocating to<br />

the Channel Islands. Former Chair of the British<br />

Association of Relocation Professionals, Jo took<br />

the helm of Locate Guernsey in November 2018.<br />

Having discovered the benefits of Guernsey for her<br />

own family, Jo is a passionate ambassador for the<br />

island and enjoys helping potential new residents<br />

to discover how Guernsey could work for them,<br />

their families and their business interests.<br />

Keith Wilén<br />

Operations<br />

Executive<br />

Keith joined the Locate Guernsey team in 2018<br />

from his previous role as Manager of Guernsey’s<br />

Digital Greenhouse. Keith has extensive experience<br />

in helping digital businesses and those in emerging<br />

sectors make the move to the island. He started his<br />

career in London during the emergence of the digital<br />

industry and worked at leading media agencies<br />

planning campaigns for international brands. After<br />

nine years in the city, he left his tiring commute<br />

behind and returned to Guernsey. He is a keen island<br />

aficionado and enjoys exploring Guernsey’s stunning<br />

environment with his young family.<br />

8<br />

Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

9


The role of Locate Guernsey<br />

The team at Locate Guernsey understands that any relocation is a significant<br />

undertaking and will offer support at any stage of your journey. Whether it is<br />

an idea you wish to explore, or you have plans needing our input or you have<br />

recently arrived on the island, we are here to help.<br />

Locate Guernsey offers tailored guidance<br />

at an early stage, aiming to provide<br />

a relationship service as any enquiry<br />

takes shape; help is available before,<br />

during and after any reconnaissance<br />

visits. Over-arching guidance is<br />

frequently provided in respect of:<br />

Immigration matters<br />

Living in the Open Market<br />

Registering for online services<br />

such as social security<br />

Education, sport, clubs and<br />

social organisations<br />

Practicalities, including driving<br />

licences, vehicle importation<br />

and pets<br />

Healthcare and insurance<br />

Population Management<br />

formalities<br />

Introductions to key civil servants<br />

and politicians<br />

We are acutely aware that wealthy<br />

individuals and businesses have a<br />

choice of jurisdictions to consider<br />

and therefore we work hard to ensure<br />

that Guernsey provides the very best<br />

first impression, thereafter doing<br />

whatever is necessary to help smooth<br />

and inform any relocation process.<br />

This may include putting together an<br />

itinerary to ensure any early visit is as<br />

productive and enjoyable as possible.<br />

Once you are here, the team will also<br />

help with settling in and frequently host<br />

social events which enable individuals<br />

to establish themselves in Guernsey<br />

and to build their personal networks.<br />

Guernsey is enhanced by the arrival<br />

of newcomers and on the States of<br />

Guernsey’s behalf, Locate Guernsey<br />

seeks to underline this by providing a<br />

single point of contact with practical<br />

help and guidance where it is needed.<br />

Introductions to social and<br />

business groups and societies<br />

Image courtesy of Savills<br />

10 Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

11


Tax<br />

As an independent self-governing jurisdiction,<br />

Guernsey has developed its own attractive<br />

system of taxation for residents. The system<br />

is very straightforward and caps the amount<br />

of income tax payable by residents.<br />

Guernsey residents pay:<br />

0% Inheritance Tax<br />

0% Capital Gains Tax<br />

0% wealth or<br />

estate taxes<br />

0% VAT or Goods<br />

and Services Tax<br />

Personal income tax<br />

is charged at the flat<br />

rate of 20% with<br />

caps available<br />

The basis on which<br />

income tax is<br />

charged depends<br />

on the taxpayer’s<br />

residence status<br />

and whether they<br />

are “resident<br />

only” or “solely or<br />

principally resident”<br />

in Guernsey for<br />

tax purposes<br />

Tax residency<br />

categories are based<br />

on the number of<br />

days an individual<br />

spends on the island<br />

It is possible to cap<br />

exposure to income<br />

tax in Guernsey as an<br />

alternative to paying<br />

a flat rate of 20%<br />

The maximum tax liability for any individual who does not have Guernsey source<br />

income will be £130,000 per annum.<br />

For those who have both Guernsey and non-Guernsey source income (Guernsey<br />

bank interest does not count as Guernsey source income) the maximum tax liability<br />

is £260,000 per annum.<br />

Individuals who are “resident only” may elect to pay a “standard charge” which<br />

is currently set at £30,000 per annum.<br />

With effect from 1 January<br />

2018, a tax cap of £50,000<br />

per annum has been<br />

introduced for individuals<br />

in their first four years of<br />

residence subject to the<br />

conditions listed below.<br />

An individual must:<br />

Be principally<br />

resident in Guernsey<br />

Pay £50,000 or more<br />

in document duty<br />

for the purchase of<br />

an Open Market Part<br />

A property – at the<br />

current rates this<br />

equates to a property<br />

purchase of £1.32M<br />

or more<br />

Make the purchase<br />

either 12 months<br />

before or after the<br />

date of taking up<br />

residence in Guernsey<br />

Foreign and worldwide<br />

tax caps are not limited<br />

in duration and are<br />

applicable no matter how<br />

many years the individual<br />

has been solely or<br />

principally resident<br />

in Guernsey.<br />

Double tax treaty<br />

and pensions<br />

Under the terms of the<br />

Double Tax Treaty with<br />

the UK, pensions are<br />

only taxable in the<br />

taxpayer’s country of<br />

residence. Therefore,<br />

for individuals moving<br />

to Guernsey from the<br />

UK, their UK income tax<br />

liability will be replaced<br />

by a Guernsey income<br />

tax liability and the rate<br />

of tax will be 20%.<br />

IMPORTANT NOTE<br />

Please note that this<br />

information is a summary<br />

only and has been<br />

prepared for information<br />

purposes. Locate Guernsey<br />

does not provide tax, legal<br />

or accounting advice.<br />

You should consult your<br />

own advisors in relation<br />

to your personal situation.<br />

Locate Guernsey can<br />

put you in contact with<br />

Guernsey service providers<br />

if you would like more<br />

detailed information.<br />

12 Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

13


Open Market<br />

property<br />

Relocation to Guernsey is very straightforward,<br />

thanks in part to our two tier property market.<br />

Homes are either on the Open Market Register<br />

or they are Local Market. Local Market homes are<br />

essentially reserved for those with local roots or here<br />

under conditional Employment Permits. It is the Open<br />

Market which is the valuable key to a welcoming<br />

home in Guernsey for most new residents.<br />

Photo courtesy of<br />

Livingroom Estate Agents<br />

Healthcare<br />

Guernsey has an excellent healthcare system employing best practice across its<br />

network of medical centres and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH). In <strong>2020</strong><br />

healthcare has been very much in the spotlight and our Public Health team<br />

have worked closely alongside the Civil Contingencies Authority to lead the<br />

island’s response to Covid 19 and develop a strategy suitable for the island.<br />

We were the first place in the UK to be Covid-free and have our own on-island<br />

testing facility. Our test, track and trace system is working well and public<br />

confidence in Guernsey healthcare is very high.<br />

Open Market homes<br />

may be occupied by<br />

British passport holders<br />

or those who have right<br />

of abode in the UK (and<br />

their family). Non-British<br />

passport holders may<br />

apply for an Investor*<br />

Visa or an Entrepreneur*<br />

Visa to live in an Open<br />

Market property (*further<br />

information about these<br />

visas are available on<br />

the Immigration page<br />

of this booklet).<br />

There is no minimum<br />

revenue level required<br />

to gain residency in<br />

Guernsey. The simple fact<br />

of occupying an Open<br />

Market Part A home gives<br />

residents the right to live<br />

and work in the island<br />

indefinitely. Prices of Open<br />

Market family homes start<br />

at around £700,000.<br />

Open Market residents<br />

with British passports<br />

can work should they<br />

choose to. This is ideal<br />

for entrepreneurs<br />

seeking flexibility or the<br />

freedom to work for<br />

any employer, for any<br />

length of time. Open<br />

Market Residents are not<br />

reliant on employment<br />

permits, which are<br />

frequently time limited.<br />

Approximately 7% of<br />

Guernsey’s properties<br />

are on the Open Market<br />

Register. They can be<br />

found all across the Island<br />

and are available to rent<br />

or purchase.<br />

Local Market homes<br />

are available for local<br />

residents and Employment<br />

Permit holders. Individuals<br />

recruited to work on<br />

the island because<br />

their employer has<br />

secured a conditional<br />

Employment Permit for<br />

their full-time post can<br />

live in either an Open or<br />

Local Market home.<br />

Whatever your<br />

circumstances, please<br />

contact Locate Guernsey<br />

to discuss your individual<br />

needs – we can provide<br />

further information about<br />

Guernsey’s property<br />

markets as well as lists<br />

of local estate agents,<br />

advocates, property<br />

finders and surveyors.<br />

Medical care in Guernsey<br />

is excellent although it<br />

is not part of the UK’s<br />

National Health Service.<br />

GP appointments are<br />

easily available and<br />

excellent specialist care is<br />

delivered via the island’s<br />

Medical Specialist Group.<br />

Healthcare is partly<br />

funded by Guernsey’s<br />

Employment and Social<br />

Security Committee<br />

with residents paying<br />

into an income-related<br />

contributions scheme.<br />

GP visits, A&E visits,<br />

Ambulance use, Dentists<br />

and physiotherapy<br />

requested by the GP are<br />

all delivered privately and<br />

referred to as “Primary<br />

Care”. A contribution<br />

towards the cost of a GP<br />

consultation is made by<br />

the Primary Care grant<br />

but the balance is paid by<br />

the patient (or by private<br />

medical insurance if they<br />

have subscribed to a<br />

suitable policy).<br />

Specialist care (also called<br />

“Secondary Care”) is<br />

provided by The Medical<br />

Specialist Group (MSG),<br />

a private practice of<br />

specialist consultants.<br />

The cost of treatment<br />

and hospitalisation for<br />

Secondary Care when<br />

referred by a GP or<br />

an MSG Consultant is<br />

covered by the States<br />

of Guernsey and this<br />

includes any treatment<br />

and care which may have<br />

to be delivered in the UK.<br />

The Medical Specialist<br />

Group also provides<br />

treatment that can be<br />

paid for by the patient,<br />

known as “private patient<br />

care”. The PEH has a<br />

private wing (the Victoria<br />

Wing) where private<br />

patients may elect to stay<br />

for in-patient treatment.<br />

Please speak to Locate<br />

Guernsey for further<br />

detailed information<br />

about healthcare.<br />

14 Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

15


Setting up a business<br />

Establishing a business in Guernsey is a straightforward process and same<br />

day registration of a company is possible. With the majority of companies<br />

paying the standard corporate tax rate of 0%, establishing a business in<br />

Guernsey is an attractive option.<br />

Education<br />

As any parent who relocates with children<br />

will tell you, finding the right education<br />

solutions generally comes above any other<br />

consideration when seeking out a destination<br />

for relocation. It is therefore comforting to<br />

know that Guernsey’s education system offers<br />

excellence and choice.<br />

One of the many advantages of doing<br />

business in Guernsey is the ease and speed<br />

with which decisions can be made and<br />

businesses established. Guernsey has a<br />

pro-business government with pragmatic<br />

and helpful regulators.<br />

Amongst other things, Guernsey offers:<br />

World-class financial, professional<br />

and legal services<br />

A well regulated, secure,<br />

internationally recognised<br />

and compliant jurisdiction<br />

Strong digital and<br />

telecommunications infrastructure<br />

as well as a Digital Greenhouse and<br />

start-up hub<br />

Leading jurisdiction for private equity<br />

and home to “The International<br />

Stock Exchange”<br />

Strong investor networks helping<br />

scale-up businesses<br />

Geographical proximity to the UK<br />

and being in the same time zone<br />

A wide range of commercial premises<br />

and serviced offices<br />

A highly skilled and professional<br />

work force<br />

Availability of employment permits<br />

allowing businesses to recruit specialist<br />

staff from off-island if required<br />

Active local branch of the IoD<br />

and the Chamber of Commerce<br />

There are three rates of tax on<br />

companies in Guernsey:<br />

Company Standard Rate – 0%<br />

(the majority of businesses)<br />

Company Intermediate Rate – 10%<br />

(applicable to corporate income<br />

from banking, fiduciary, insurance,<br />

administration of controlled<br />

investments, provision of custody<br />

services and investment management<br />

activities to individual clients)<br />

Company Higher Rate – 20%<br />

(applicable to corporate income<br />

derived from a regulated utility, oil or<br />

gas importer or supplier, large retail<br />

business where company taxable<br />

profit is more than £500k and from<br />

land and buildings in Guernsey)<br />

Investment Fund vehicles may apply for<br />

exemption from tax in respect of income<br />

from sources outside Guernsey.<br />

Regulated entities are licensed by the<br />

Guernsey Financial Services Commission<br />

(GFSC) or the Guernsey Competition<br />

and Regulation Authority (GCRA). Both<br />

regulators are pragmatic and willing to<br />

discuss innovative business models.<br />

Guernsey’s Education<br />

system is similar to the<br />

UK with pupils allocated<br />

a primary school at the<br />

beginning of the school<br />

year in which they reach<br />

their fifth birthday.<br />

State primary school<br />

places are allocated by<br />

catchment area and<br />

schools are at the heart<br />

of parish communities.<br />

Children up to the<br />

age of 18 have access<br />

to free schooling via<br />

the state system and<br />

additionally three<br />

independent colleges<br />

offer first class<br />

private education.<br />

All three to four year<br />

olds are entitled<br />

to free pre-school<br />

provision for up to<br />

15 hours per week,<br />

38 weeks a year<br />

during term time.<br />

Children remain in<br />

primary education<br />

until they are<br />

11 years old.<br />

Thereafter the<br />

island’s mainstream<br />

secondary schools<br />

accept all-ability year<br />

groups, allowing<br />

all children to be<br />

provided with similar<br />

opportunities at<br />

each school.<br />

Guernsey follows the<br />

same curriculum as the<br />

UK through Key Stages<br />

1 – 4 and pupils sit GCSE<br />

and A-Levels at 16 and 18<br />

years of age respectively;<br />

additionally the current<br />

sixth form centre also<br />

provides the International<br />

Baccalaureate. More than<br />

80% of students decide<br />

to stay in education after<br />

Year 11. The College<br />

of Further Education<br />

and Sixth Form Centres<br />

within the secondary<br />

schools are good<br />

options for continued<br />

learning, and there are<br />

plenty of opportunities<br />

to learn new skills via<br />

apprenticeship schemes<br />

and training courses.<br />

Guernsey’s schools<br />

boast excellent sporting<br />

facilities and offer many<br />

opportunities for children<br />

to participate in sporting<br />

and other activities,<br />

both on and off the<br />

water, at a competitive<br />

and recreational level,<br />

which helps to maintain<br />

Guernsey’s reputation<br />

as a safe, family-friendly<br />

community encouraging<br />

children to embrace<br />

healthy activity from<br />

a grass roots level<br />

and beyond.<br />

16<br />

Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

17


Immigration<br />

Holders of passports other than British passports<br />

seeking to live in Guernsey on the Open Market<br />

may apply for an Investor or Entrepreneur visa<br />

and ultimately may apply for “indefinite leave to<br />

remain” in Guernsey. The rules in Guernsey are<br />

slightly different to those of the UK although<br />

further changes are expected in due course.<br />

Investor visa<br />

This category of visa is<br />

for individuals looking<br />

to secure residency by<br />

making an investment<br />

into Guernsey’s economy.<br />

Currently*, applicants<br />

need to have the<br />

equivalent of at least £1M<br />

in their name in a bank<br />

account and be prepared<br />

to invest no less than<br />

£750k in a way that is of<br />

“benefit to the Bailiwick<br />

of Guernsey”.<br />

However, it is expected<br />

that these rules will<br />

change and that any<br />

applicant will be expected<br />

to have at least the<br />

equivalent of £2M in their<br />

name and be prepared to<br />

invest the full amount<br />

in Guernsey.<br />

Successful applicants<br />

would be able to rent or<br />

buy an Open Market Part<br />

A home in the island to<br />

live in.<br />

For the main applicant,<br />

employment is limited<br />

to transacting business<br />

in connection with their<br />

investments but there<br />

are no restrictions on the<br />

type of work which any<br />

dependent may do.<br />

Entrepreneur visa<br />

This is for individuals<br />

looking to secure<br />

residency by taking an<br />

active role in the running<br />

of a business in Guernsey.<br />

Applicants must:<br />

have at least £200k<br />

in their name in a<br />

bank account and be<br />

prepared either to<br />

invest this sum into<br />

an existing Guernsey<br />

business or create a<br />

new Guernsey<br />

business investing<br />

a minimum of £200k;<br />

have a controlling or<br />

equal interest in the<br />

business; and<br />

demonstrate the<br />

economic value<br />

of the business<br />

for Guernsey<br />

As with the Investor visa<br />

programme, successful<br />

applicants would be able<br />

to rent or buy an Open<br />

Market Part A home to<br />

live in.<br />

For the main applicant,<br />

employment is limited to<br />

the company for which<br />

the Entrepreneur visa is<br />

granted, but there are<br />

no restrictions on the<br />

type of work which any<br />

dependent may do.<br />

Immigration permissions<br />

are granted by the<br />

Guernsey Immigration<br />

Service and would usually<br />

allow the applicant and<br />

their dependants to live<br />

in Guernsey for two<br />

years, with the option<br />

of applying for a further<br />

three years under the<br />

same scheme.<br />

At the end of 5 years,<br />

applicants for either<br />

the Investor visa or the<br />

Entrepreneur visa would<br />

be able to apply for<br />

indefinite leave to remain.<br />

*Whilst we continue to welcome applications, please note that our<br />

Immigration Rules are currently under review following changes in<br />

the UK and may be amended.<br />

18 Locate Guernsey <strong>Virtual</strong> <strong>Showcase</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

19


Our island parishes<br />

Guernsey has 10 parishes, each with their own unique character and a wealth<br />

of desirable properties to choose from.<br />

1 St Peter Port<br />

The island’s capital<br />

2 St Martin<br />

Boasts spectacular cliff<br />

paths and sandy coves<br />

3 Castel<br />

The finest beaches<br />

4 Vale<br />

Has the largest area<br />

of common land<br />

4<br />

10 4<br />

10<br />

3<br />

1<br />

5<br />

6<br />

9<br />

8<br />

5<br />

8<br />

7<br />

2<br />

5 St Peter<br />

A rural parish<br />

6 St Saviour<br />

Rolling countryside<br />

and quiet lanes<br />

7 Forest<br />

The highest parish<br />

8 Torteval<br />

A rugged and<br />

rural parish<br />

9 St Andrew<br />

The only parish that<br />

doesn’t border the sea<br />

10 St Sampson<br />

Guernsey’s second<br />

largest town<br />

Follow us. Search: LocateGuernsey<br />

+44 (0)1481 743834<br />

enquiries@locateguernsey.com<br />

locateguernsey.com<br />

This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constitute professional advice.<br />

20<br />

No liability is accepted for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document and the same is specifically excluded.

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