Employers who currently employ EU citizens should encourage them to confirm their status by 30 June 2021. EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and their family members who are living in the UK before 1 January 2021 need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021 (the deadline for applications is 30 June 2021). If you are an employer, you may want to share information with your employees about the EU Settlement Scheme using the resources on the UK Government employer toolkit.
Employers who are recruiting will need to check a job applicant’s right to work in the same way as now until 30 June 2021. You have a duty not to discriminate against EU, EEA or Swiss citizens meaning you cannot require them to show you their status under the new EU Settlement Scheme until after 30 June 2021. Irish citizens will continue to prove their right to work in the UK as they do now.
A new points-based immigration system will apply to people arriving from the EU in the UK from 1 January 2021 and EU citizens moving to the UK to work will need to get a visa in advance. EU citizens applying for a skilled worker visa will need to show they have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor to be able to apply.
A new system for non-EU workers who wish to work in the UK was also introduced on 1 December 2020.
If you are an employer planning to sponsor skilled migrants from December 2020, and are not currently an approved sponsor, you should consider getting approved now.
For further information or advice please contact our employment team on employment@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 889995.
