Update: Population Management backlog and STEP extension
Economy & Local Business
Policy
19 Oct 2026
Chamber has been taking part in meetings with the States about the backlog in Population Management. A plan is in place to add resource and change ways of working, which we welcome. However, the office has some big projects over the coming months, so members shouldn’t expect a change in processing times just yet.
In the meantime, there is some good news. Following feedback from industry, including Chamber, the Committee for Home Affairs has agreed a temporary extension to Short-Term Employment Permits (STEPs).
What’s changed
- With immediate effect, STEP holders reaching their three-year cap can apply for a further nine months, to a total of three years and nine months.
- This applies to STEP holders who reached, or will reach, their three-year cap between April 2026 and 31 December 2027.
- It is a temporary measure. It runs alongside the Committee’s population policy review, which will look again at permit lengths and is expected to finish by the end of 2027.
Conditions
The extension will come with conditions. These include staying with the same employer in the same role, and not being able to extend immigration visas further. Full conditions are still being finalised.
Permits expiring in January 2027
Some STEP holders will reach the three-year-nine-month cap at the end of January 2027, and those permits will not be extended again. The Committee has said that applications to replace these workers will be prioritised.
The Committee’s announcement is here: Temporary extension to Short-Term Employment Permits