Employment Immigration for EU Citizens

Overview of the possible employment and immigration status of EU citizens at the end of the transition period.

Whilst the UK is due to leave the EU at the end of January, the country will actually enter a transition period where current rules will still apply until the end of the transition period which finishes in December 2020.

This period may be extended if no trade deal has been finalised at this point.

This means that though we might formally leave the EU, there is no requirement for many of these changes until the transition period is finished – and there future requirement will be dependent on what sort of UK-EU trade deal is negotiated.

European Temporary Leave to Remain

If an EU citizen wishes to reside in the UK for longer than a 3-month period, he/she will need to apply for permission and receive European Temporary Leave to Remain

New Skills-Based Future Immigration System

The new single skills-immigration system will operate from 1 January 2021. It will allow you as an employer, to attract the skills you need from around the world whilst ensuring net migration is reduced to sustainable levels.

If EEA citizens want to stay in the UK for more than a period of 36 months they will need to apply for an immigration status under the new system. Those who will not qualify under the new system they will need to leave the UK when their European Temporary Leave to Remain expires. 

If you are living in the UK before the UK leaves the EU

If you're an EEA citizen who enter the UK before the UK leaves the EU, you're eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. EEA citizens and their families will be able to remain in the UK indefinitely if they are granted settled status under this scheme.

Should the UK leave the EU without a deal, EEA citizens who arrive in the UK after that date but were previously living in the UK before this, can also apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. 

Futher information

Stay in the UK after it leaves the EU ('settled status'): step by step guide