Virtual Showcase 2020 Webinar Brochure
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constitute professional advice.<br />
20<br />
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