In November 2018 the UK government set out the latest draft of its post-Brexit immigration policy. In this latest draft agreement the UK Prime Minister (PM)  said the focus will be on talents and skills, not EU (European Union) passports.

Current UK Immigration System

At present, people from the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland,  can travel to and work in the UK without visas.

Proposed Government Post-Brexit Immigration System – Based On Skills

The latest draft of the post-Brexit immigration policy in November 2018 which will introduce visas for EEA nationals will favour skilled workers, the PM Teresa May said,  and will stop nationals from the EEA getting preferential treatment.  Theresa May said engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi would no longer find themselves in the queue behind nationals from the 27 other countries in the EU.

The UK Prime Minister also told the CBI’s annual conference in London that her plan would provide a fair immigration system that would help young people in the UK get jobs and training: “It will no longer be the case that EEA nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue. Instead of a system based on where a person is from, we will have one that is built around the talents and skills a person has to offer.”

Proposed REC Post-Brexit Immigration System – Based On Skills Shortages

The recruitment industry trade body, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)  has steadfastly been lobbying the UK government on Brexit and immigration. The REC is pushing for visa applications based on UK skills shortages, rather than the proposal just put forward by the government  where visa applications for the right to live and work in the UK would be prioritised based on skills level.

Immigration & Brexit – Key Dates

The REC has disclosed key dates and guidance which will enable UK companies to plan ahead to retain current EU staff;

Key Dates

• November 2018 – government will publish new post-Brexit Immigration white paper
• New Immigration Bill to go before Parliament
• 29 March 2019 the UK will leave the EU
• A transition period will take effect from 31 December 2020 allowing continued free movement
• A new immigration system will take effect from 1 January 2021

Retaining EU Workers Post Brexit

The REC has issued advice to UK businesses advising that to retain any  existing EEA workers post Brexit, they should now be starting to encourage their existing EEA workers to obtain ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-Settled’ status. This will ensure their right to live and work in the UK is maintained after Brexit comes into force;

• What is ‘Settled Status’? EEA Nationals who have lived in the UK for more than 5 years will have to apply for ‘settled status ‘ before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020)
• What is ‘Pre-Settled Status’? EEA Nationals  who have lived in the UK for less than 5 years will have to apply for ‘settled status ‘ before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020)