Following the introduction of legislation suspending new applications for residency in Gibraltar, the Chamber has received representations from a number of members seeking clarification on the sudden change in policy.

The Chamber has been in contact with the government to ask for further details about the duration of this change and to emphasise the effect that the change is likely to have on employment growth and government tax receipts.

The government has indicated that the legislative change is a temporary measure and should not have any bearing on employment procedures for those companies which are already trading in Gibraltar.

Applications for residency for employees from legitimate companies, start-ups and investors will continue to be considered in the usual way provided that they can demonstrate that their presence will be economically beneficial to Gibraltar. This is designed to avoid the attempts by thousands to register in Gibraltar in the past months since the announcement of the UK/EU Treaty and is essential to protect public services like education and health which would otherwise be overwhelmed.

The government has told the Chamber that a further announcement on the qualification criteria for residency applications will be announced in due course.