ID scheme could be extended to make impression on French

Since April, passengers on some commercial maritime schedules have been able to travel to both bailiwicks of the Channel Islands using only their French national ID cards.

This is how they were able to travel when the UK was still in the European Union, but Brexit led to an obligation to show a passport.

Many French nationals do not own passports and so the islands saw a drop in visitor numbers, prompting negotiations for the temporary scheme.

This summer's temporary arrangements are due to end at the end of the month, and are unlikely to be continued.

Some deputies have pushed for more flexibility, particularly around the forthcoming major exhibition of the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, on show in Guernsey from the end of this month until mid-December.

Home Affairs president Rob Prow promised to ‘continue to work with the UK and the Crown Dependencies’ to ‘explore all viable options’.

This week he updated that, issuing a statement saying that officers were ‘discussing options with Jersey and the UK Home Office with regard to extending the scheme’.

‘We hope to have something to announce very soon,’ he said. ‘We will ensure we do this before the current period of the scheme ends.’

Deputy Prow has said that the 'direction of travel' is back towards an insistence on passports. Legislation is expected to be introduced in the UK before the end of the year and in France in 2025, requiring passengers going in or out of the Common Travel Area and the EU respectively to notify their intended movements in advance.

The Renoir exhibition opens on Saturday 30 September.

Several States committees have been involved in the project for some time, in conjunction with various French authorities and museums.

It is expected to be a big draw for tourists – French ones in particular – until it closes in December.