Starting in late 2025, travel to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man will look different for many visitors. Each of the three Crown Dependencies will launch its own electronic travel authorization system, creating a new entry requirement separate from the United Kingdom’s ETA.
For frequent travelers, the change will mean new application steps and the end of some existing exemptions. Local governments say the move is designed to strengthen border controls and bring their procedures in line with Common Travel Area obligations.
What Is Changing and When
Between late 2025 and early 2026, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man will require travelers to obtain an electronic travel authorization before entering. These systems will not be part of the UK ETA, but each island will design its own program under local immigration law.
The United Kingdom Home Office has confirmed that all three schemes will be legally separate from the UK’s, though closely aligned in purpose and procedure. This separation allows each Crown Dependency to set its own operational details, including administration, eligibility checks and conditions for approval.
In Jersey, the government has stated that the change will close existing gaps in advance travel permissions and strengthen pre-arrival screening. Guernsey’s authorities have emphasized compliance with Common Travel Area rules and the ability to stop individuals who may pose a security risk before they board transport to the island.
The Isle of Man will follow the same timeframe but will have its ETA administered by UK authorities on the island’s behalf. Officials there say this approach allows the Isle of Man to meet security and policy objectives while using existing UK infrastructure for processing applications.
Policy Rationale for the New ETA Systems
Authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have outlined several reasons for adopting independent electronic travel authorization systems. The primary objective is to strengthen border management by introducing a pre-travel screening process.
Under the new framework, travelers will be required to submit personal and travel information in advance, allowing officials to assess admissibility before a journey begins. This is intended to reduce the risk of individuals who may pose security or immigration compliance concerns reaching the islands.
The policy also reflects a commitment to upholding obligations under the Common Travel Area (CTA), which facilitates the movement of people between the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. Membership in the CTA carries shared responsibilities for maintaining consistent border security measures.
By introducing their own ETAs, the Crown Dependencies will bring their entry procedures into closer alignment with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration framework while maintaining legal and administrative independence.
Officials have also pointed to operational benefits. Advance screening can help manage border resources more efficiently, limit last-minute refusals at ports of entry, and improve the traveler experience by ensuring that those who arrive are already cleared for entry.
The move closes a gap in the current system where certain travelers can arrive without prior vetting, something governments in all three territories say is no longer sustainable given evolving security priorities.
Current Travel Rules Until ETA Launch
Until the new systems are introduced, entry requirements for Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man remain based on existing immigration rules and certain local exemptions.
Direct Travel from the European Union
Nationals of European Union member states can currently travel directly to the Crown Dependencies without an electronic travel authorization, provided they do not transit through mainland United Kingdom territory.
Direct routes typically include ferry or air connections from France to Jersey or Guernsey, or air connections from selected European cities to the Isle of Man. A valid passport is still required for most travelers, regardless of route.
French Day-Trip Exemption
A special arrangement allows French citizens making same-day ferry trips to Jersey or Guernsey to enter using a national identity card instead of a passport. This measure applies only to direct ferry services from certain Norman ports such as Granville and Barneville-Carteret. It does not cover overnight stays, air travel, or visits to the Isle of Man. The exemption is scheduled to end on September 30, 2025.
Indirect Travel via the United Kingdom
Travelers whose journey to the islands includes a stop in mainland UK must comply with the UK’s ETA requirements if they are nationals of countries that are visa-exempt for the UK. The UK ETA must be approved before onward travel to the Crown Dependencies can take place.
Impact on French Day-Trippers
The termination of the French national identity card exemption will be one of the most immediate changes for a specific group of travelers. For years, residents of nearby regions in Normandy have been able to visit Jersey or Guernsey on same-day ferry services by presenting only a valid national identity card.
This arrangement was introduced after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union to preserve short-term tourism flows between the islands and France. Guernsey officials have confirmed that the scheme will conclude on September 30, 2025. They have stated that the exemption was intended as a temporary measure until electronic travel authorizations were implemented.
Once the ETA requirement takes effect, all travelers from France, including those visiting for a single day, will need to present a valid passport and an approved ETA if applicable to their route and nationality.
Tourism stakeholders have acknowledged that the change may affect visitor numbers from France, particularly for spontaneous day trips. However, local authorities have emphasized that compliance with Common Travel Area security standards takes precedence over maintaining the exemption.
Conclusion
The introduction of independent ETA systems in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man will mark a significant change in entry procedures. Travelers will need to prepare for new application steps and the end of certain exemptions. Local authorities view the change as necessary for stronger border security and compliance with Common Travel Area standards.
Full details on application procedures and fees will be released closer to the launch dates. Travelers planning trips in late 2025 or 2026 should monitor official announcements. Staying informed will help ensure a smooth entry process when the new systems take effect.
Source: https://visasnews.com/en/british-crown-dependencies-to-introduce-their-own-eta-system/