Under the plans, every resident in Jersey will be included on a register

It will create three categories of residents - those with and without housing qualifications, and those licensed to live and work in Jersey.

The Policy and Resources Committee says the proposals will support sustainable growth, and create a fairer system.

Under the plans, the qualifying period to be allowed to purchase a house will also be reduced from 15 to 10 years.

'Gradual change'

But Policy and Resources Committee president Frank Walker said that change would not happen overnight.

"Over the last five years we have reduced the qualifying period from 20 to 15 years, and we intend to continue with that movement from 15 down to 10 years, but it will take at least five years to achieve that," he said.

The States has struggled for years to come up with a workable migration policy.

The three categories of residents will be: those with housing qualifications who are 'entitled' to live in Jersey; those who are licensed by island companies to live and work in the island, giving them the right to rent or lease any type of home; and those registered residents who have no housing qualifications.

The committee said the policy would not mean a large number of people could move to the island quickly, but instead would produce a gradual and carefully managed change.