WHEN TO TRAVEL TO Guernsey

Location

Climate

Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, attracts many visitors thanks to its mild climate, stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage.

Guernsey seasons: high and low season

As is the case in most tourist destinations, there's always a high season and one low season in Guernsey. High season generally runs from May to September, with a peak between July and August. During this period, you'll enjoy a pleasant, sunny climate, perfect for enjoying beaches, water sports and hiking.

High season: advantages and disadvantages

The high season offers several advantages:

• Favourable weather for outdoor activities
• Longer days to make the most of your stay
• A wide choice of cultural and festive events

However, there are also a number of disadvantages to consider:

• Accommodation and transport fares may be higher in high season
• Tourist sites are often crowded, which can make the experience less enjoyable.

Low season: advantages and disadvantages

The low season runs from November to March, with generally cooler temperatures and rainy weather. However, this doesn't mean you should avoid Guernsey during this period. Indeed, the months of October and April can offer an interesting alternative for those who prefer to escape the crowds. Here are some of the advantages of the low season:

• Generally more affordable accommodation and transport rates
• Fewer tourists, so you can enjoy more of the sites and attractions
• A different kind of charm, with wilder landscapes and shorter days

But there are also disadvantages to consider:

• More capricious weather, which can limit outdoor activities
• A less varied choice of cultural and festive events

Guernsey's major cultural events

Throughout the year, Guernsey offers a multitude of cultural events that are well worth a visit. Here is a selection of the most popular events:

Guernsey International Music Festival (May)

This annual event brings together local and international musicians for several days of concerts, workshops and masterclasses. The festival showcases musical diversity, with styles ranging from classical and jazz to folk and contemporary music.

Guernsey Floralies (June)

Every year, the Floralies celebrate the beauty of the island's gardens and landscapes. During the event, you can take part in guided tours of private gardens, attend lectures on horticulture or admire floral displays all over the island.

La Fête dé Noué (December)

La Fête dé Noué is a winter festival celebrating Guernsey's Christmas traditions. On the program: Christmas market, festive illuminations, street performances, concerts and parades. It's the perfect opportunity to discover the island's warm and friendly atmosphere during the festive season.

Public holidays in Guernsey

When visiting Guernsey, it's important to be aware of local public holidays, as some shops and attractions may be closed. Here are the main public holidays on the island:

• January 1st : New Year
• March/April Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates vary)
• May 9 Liberation Day, commemorating Guernsey's liberation from the German occupying forces in 1945
• May 31 Spring Bank Holiday
• Last Monday in August Summer Bank Holiday, end-of-summer public holiday
• December 25 : Christmas
• December 26 : Boxing Day

With a population of around 60,000, Guernsey is an Anglo-Norman island in the English Channel. France and the United Kingdom. Attracting visitors from all over the world for its picturesque scenery, rich history and advantageous tax environment, it's worth taking a look at Guernsey's immigration statistics, as well as the most popular visas and international tourism figures.

Visa categories for Guernsey

First of all, it is essential to understand the different categories of visas that allow foreigners to stay or work in Guernsey. They can be classified as follows:

• Work visas These are designed for people wishing to work in Guernsey.
• Student visas For those wishing to attend school or university on the island.
• Tourist visas For travelers discovering Guernsey for a limited time.
• Family visas : They concern the family members of a foreign resident.
• Permanent residence visas For foreigners wishing to settle permanently in Guernsey.

Most popular visas in Guernsey

Work and contractor visas

Thanks to its attractive tax regime, Guernsey attracts a large number of entrepreneurs and professionals wishing to work and invest on the island. Work and entrepreneur visas are therefore among the most popular. They enable holders to reside temporarily (generally for a period of 1 to 5 years) in Guernsey while exercising their professional activity. Moreover, these visas can be renewed depending on the holder's employment conditions and economic situation.

Student visas

Guernsey also offers high-quality training in a variety of fields, attracting a number of international students every year. Student visas enable them to follow a course of study at school or university, and to work part-time during their studies. However, it should be noted that the number of student visas issued remains relatively limited compared with other visa categories.

Tourist visas

Tourism is an important part of Guernsey's economy, with almost 300,000 visitors every year. Tourist visas are therefore naturally in great demand. It is important to point out that nationals of many countries, including the European Union, do not need a visa to enter Guernsey as tourists.

International tourism figures for Guernsey

According to official figures, Guernsey has welcomed nearly 300,000 international visitors in 2019, the vast majority of which came from the United Kingdom (approx. 80 %). Other visitors came mainly from European countries such as France, Germany and the Netherlands. Tourism makes a significant contribution to the local economy, with total expenditure estimated at around 100 million pounds a year. Popular tourist activities include visiting historic sites, enjoying water sports and discovering the island's natural landscapes.

Expulsions, asylum and naturalizations

As far as removals, asylum applications and naturalizations in Guernsey are concerned, the figures are relatively low due to the small size of the island and its population. Nevertheless, these aspects remain important in the context of immigration and are worth mentioning:

• Distance : Removals are carried out for people who are in the country illegally, or who have committed serious offences. In Guernsey, removals are fairly rare, and generally relate to specific cases.
• Asylum applications Asylum applications are few and far between in Guernsey because of its geographical location and its agreements with the United Kingdom. United Kingdom concerning asylum seekers.
• Naturalizations Naturalizations enable foreigners who have been legally resident in Guernsey for some time to acquire British nationality. Official figures show that several dozen people are granted British nationality every year in Guernsey.