But it seems likely it might only benefit day-trippers.
Home Affairs has been discussing the issue with the UK government for some time after it emerged that there had been a fall in the number of visitors from France. Authorities in Jersey have particularly pushed for the change after French visitors slumped last year.
Under Brexit rules, all travellers from France require a passport, but many French people do not own one and have always relied on the country’s national ID cards.
The issue was highlighted when French ferry operator Manche Iles announced that it could drop sailings next year unless border controls were changed after passenger numbers dropped by two-thirds.
Home Affairs president Rob Prow said the committee had spoken with colleagues in Jersey at a political and officer level and the UK Home Office about the French preference for ID cards and its impact on travel to the islands.
‘The islands are intrinsically linked by the commercial ferry network so we have been keen to explore any options that may assist this situation while being respectful of our position in the Common Travel Area,’ he said.
Jersey’s Home Affairs minister Helen Miles was reported as saying that the change would be implemented for a pilot period, likely to start at the end of April, depending on the ferry operators’ schedules.
She said that the arrangement would cover only travellers arriving by commercial ferry, and would be restricted to day visitors with a return ticket.
Deputy Prow welcomed the announcement from Jersey and said that his committee intended to introduce a similar short-stay scheme in time for the summer season.
‘We have some further work to do with the UK on this and will seek to provide an update as soon as possible.’
Nearly 20,000 passengers travelled between Guernsey and Dielette in 2019.
Manche Iles offers day trips between the Bailiwick and France, with more than 40 offered for people coming from France. There are also a handful of sailings between Alderney and Dielette.
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