Brexit & What It Means for European Employees in the UK

Background: While Brexit occurred on January 31, 2020, there will be no practical changes to immigration until January 1, 2021. Still, there are important steps EU citizens need to take in order to secure their immigration status.

Next Steps: European employees and their family members will need to register with the government’s EU settlement scheme to remain in status after January 1, 2021.

Deadline: Registration must be completed before January 1, 2021.

Definitions: The EU settlement scheme will classify EU citizens residing in the UK in one of two categories.

Settled Status – for those who can prove they have been in the UK continuously for five years.

Pre-settled status – for those living in the UK for shorter periods of time.

Required Documentation:

• • Proof of Identity* (e.g. passport, biometric residence card, biometric resident permit)
  • National Insurance Number (recommended) – You can provide your National Insurance Number to allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and certain benefit records. If this check is successful, you will not need to provide any documents as proof of residence.
  • Evidentiary proof of residency – If there is not enough data to prove your residency status through the automated check, you will be asked to provide additional evidence.  Accepted documents include but are not limited to rental agreements, household bills, letters from employers, plane tickets, and passport entry stamps. Click here for a list of documents you can provide.

*Note: If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you will also need to submit provide proof of your relationship to your family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Criminal convictions: For persons 18 or over, the Home Office will check that you have not committed serious or repeated crimes or pose a security threat. You will also be asked to declare any convictions in the UK or overseas.

WR’s Global Immigration Team provides expert counsel on policy changes related to Brexit. Further, we can assist with registration in the EU settlement scheme.