Channel Islanders returning from their holidays have been compelled to pay for an emergency Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) visa after being denied boarding at worldwide airports.
The disruption comes after the Crown Dependencies haven’t but moved to a digital permission system, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation, which the UK launched in February 2026.
It means bodily paperwork and passport stamps issued to Channel Islanders should not at all times recognised.
Anna Kamiska, who has lived in Jersey for eight years, was prevented from boarding her flight back residence to the island from Greece.
She says: “I was very stressed, so I bought a speed ETA because people were already boarding the plane, which almost cost me £170, which is a shocking amount for me.
“I felt burdened, indignant, upset, and other people had been me like I used to be illegally attempting to get to the UK.”
As of Wednesday 25 February, the UK government stated that visitors without a digital permission, known as an ETA, will not be able to board their transport and cannot travel to the UK.
The guidelines acknowledged that these travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man – as effectively as these with settled standing within the UK or proper of abode – wouldn’t want an ETA.
However, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man are still issuing physical documents, instead of digital permissions, which some overseas airline staff do not accept as valid when returning home.
Anna’s cousin contacted her before her flight, warning her that people were getting stopped and claiming they were unable to board their flights.
Anna says that out of fear, she then emailed Jersey Customs to check she had the correct documents.
“I received a fast reply saying all the things is okay, and so two days later, I went to the airport in Corfu, and so they mentioned, ‘The UK would not see your standing in Jersey, and except you are going to purchase an ETA, we will not allow you to on the airplane.’
“I was so shocked because I had everything. I even showed the staff the emails, the documents saying I am living in Jersey, and I have a settlement status, and they still said no.”
Anna says her associates are additionally fearful:
“Now my friends and colleagues who are on holiday are buying ETAs just in case, because they are afraid they will be stopped.
“It is so unfair, I really feel punished for doing all the things accurately, having all the proper paperwork. I’ve lived right here for eight years, and nobody is taking accountability.
“What if I didn’t have the time to buy the ETA? I would have had to stay, pay for accommodation and end up thousands of pounds less?
“It could be very disappointing, we must always have the option to go back to our residence with none issues. We pay our taxes right here, a few of my associates have mortgages right here, it’s our residence, we deal with Jersey as residence.”
Magda Chmielewska, Honorary Polish Consul of the Republic of Poland for Jersey, says it is an example of those people not born in the Channel Islands being treated differently.
She explains: “We’re handled like second-class residents; it’s outrageous. This is simply one other instance of discrimination.
“I have served in this role for over 14 years, and I have never felt so let down. So do the community I serve, I feel so little understood by people in power.
A statement from Jersey Customs and Immigration Service says: “We are conscious that some Jersey residents who maintain EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) standing or different Jersey-issued immigration permissions are being refused boarding by airways and their immigration standing isn’t being recognised.
“We understand the impact this is having on those affected, and we are working to resolve it.
“The paperwork which Jersey and the opposite Crown Dependencies subject are absolutely legitimate for getting into the Common Travel Area (CTA), and we’re partaking carefully with airways and carriers to make this clear.
“This includes ensuring that airline staff and border partners have detailed instructions to prevent the issues being experienced by some passengers.
“We are working with the UK Home Office, which has issued communications to carriers and dealing with brokers to clarify that Jersey-issued permissions are legitimate.
“We are currently working at pace to digitalise permissions issued in Jersey. Digital permissions will become available in the Crown Dependencies in phases between June 2026 and early 2027.
“Until this time, using standing letters, vignettes, and wet-ink stamps endorsed within the holder’s passport will proceed. “
