Brexit right to work

Article posted July 6, 2021, Tagged in Brexit

Brexit Information for EU, EEA & Swiss citizens on proving their right-to-work in the UK from 1st July 2021

With the changes to UK right-to-work being effective as of 01 July, we are keeping you up to date with the key points as well as providing some handy information that you can refer back to and get in touch with us if needed.

Key points

  • From 01 July 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need to provide evidence of their lawful immigration status in the UK.
  • On the 10 June 2021 the Home Office published official guidance on the upcoming changes to right-to-work for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
  • The guidance confirms that, from 01 July 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will no longer be able to use their passport or national identity card to prove their right-to-work in the UK. This is with the exception of Irish citizens, who can continue to use a passport or passport card as proof of their right-to-work in the UK from 01 July 2021.
  • Until 30 June 2021, all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can continue to use all current existing acceptable documents to prove their right-to-work in the UK, such as a passport or national identity card.
  • There is currently no requirement for employers to retrospectively check the status of any EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who were employed before 01 July 2021.

Changes to right-to-work checks from 01 July 2021

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 should apply to secure their status under the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living, working and/or studying in the UK after 30 June 2021.

The deadline for applying to the scheme is 30 June 2021. More information on this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status

All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who successfully apply to the EU Settlement Scheme will be given online access to their immigration status, which they can use to prove their right-to-work in the UK.  This will be done by the individual obtaining a ‘share code’ from the Home Office, which they will then provide to their employer, for the employer to access the individual’s immigration status online here https://www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work to conduct the necessary right-to-work checks.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who arrived in the UK on or after 01 January 2021

The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system that applies to people arriving in the UK to live, work and/or study from 01 January 2021.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who moved to the UK to work on or after 01 January 2021 need to obtain a visa in advance. This excludes Irish citizens who can continue to freely enter, live and work in the UK without the need to obtain a visa.

For more information on the UK’s points-based immigration system, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-an-introduction-for-employers  

ADVANCE and the upcoming changes

ADVANCE have already taken steps to ensure that we are prepared for the upcoming changes to the way in which right-to-work checks will be conducted for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens from 01 July 2021.

Our staff have received training and our processes are being updated, so we are ready to support you and your workers through the transition.

Should you have any questions, please free to contact us, where a member of the team will be happy to help.

Alternatively, for further information on the upcoming changes, please refer to some of the helpful links below:

As always, please contact ADVANCE or your Client Relationship Manager on 01244 564 564 for any support you require.

Call today on 01244 564 564