Brexit & the EU Free Movement Deal – A Guide

Understanding Brexit and How the EU Free Movement Deal Works

The government of Britain has published its transitional arrangements for citizens of the European Union coming into the United Kingdom after 31st October 2019 on the occasion of a No Deal Brexit and the end of European Union free movement. The transition arrangement will be applicable to all nationals of the European Union countries, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. The changes will not affect Irish citizens.

Precisely what Brexit entails for the social, economic and cultural landscape of the country is yet to be deciphered in the Brexit negotiations which were concluded by the end of March 2019. Article 50 which is the piece of legislation that permits any EU country to exit the European Union at any time was triggered by the previous British prime minister on the 28^th of March 2017 giving Britain a couple of years to conclude Brexit negotiations.

EU citizens arriving in the UK after Brexit

As stipulated by the No Deal immigration policy, October 31st, 2019 will mark the end of the European Union free movement once Britain exits from Europe. Beyond this date, citizens of the EU will be permitted entry into the UK according to the same rules until December 2020, or June 2021

During this stated time, they are free to study, work, be self-sufficient or self-employed. However, if they wish to legally remain in Britain after their three-month-period is up, Any European Union national will be required to put in an application for and be granted European Temporary Leave to Remain before the three months are up.

You can get up to three years from the European Temporary Leave to Remain which permits you to study as well as work in Britain, as pointed out by our immigration attorneys. However, the extension of this leave will not be possible neither is it likely to lead to European Union settled status, ILR, or permanent residence.

What Happens if an EU National Wants to Remain in Britain?

If EU nationals wish to remain in Britain at the end of their three-year-temporary visa, they will be required to put in another application for additional leave to remain under new United Kingdom immigration rules which is expected to be effective by January 2021 after the transformation period of the Brexit. Non-EEA family members of European Union nationals will be required to apply under a family permit.

While this newest EU immigration document is believed to be one of the most practical and comprehensive documents that has emanated from the Home Office in a long while, it does seem to lack the necessary detail as regards the requirements on EU nationals in Britain to qualify for EU Leave to Remain, though the general grounds for admission will still be applicable (for instance. good character)

European Union workers already in Britain by 29th March 2019

A confirmation has already come in through earlier announcements that EU workers who are already resident in the United Kingdom by March 29^th 2019 will be subjected to Britain’s new EU settlement scheme. This, in essence, means that they will be allowed to remain in Britain so long as they have put in their applications to the Home Office for settled status, though this cannot be granted automatically.

People who came into the United Kingdom after March 29 but were previous residents of Britain prior to Brexit day can also apply for settled status.

The UK seems ready to make an offer to the European Union on upcoming immigration which will see arrangements “very similar” to present free movement rules put into place after Brexit, the negotiators for the UK would love to bring the proposal forward to correspond with a European Council summit slated for June, in an effort to break a deadlock in Brexit talks.

This proposed plan will ensure a high level of access to Britain for EU nationals in the future, but the UK government reserves the power to halt it in some circumstances.

But this has the likelihood of enraging hardliners who are likely to see anything even slightly resembling free movement as a blatant betrayal of the result of the 2016 referendum – not long ago, it was reported that David Davis – British cabinet minister who has fought for a harder Brexit was on the verge of dropping his resignation over Britain’s apparent softening position on European Union withdrawal.

It comes as a revealed legal experts’ report commissioned by the politicians in Belfast came to the obvious conclusion that it will not be feasible to stop people coming into Britain at will anyway if the prime minister has a commitment to avoid a hard border with Ireland.

News of the offer planned by officials of the UK has been supported by sources in Brussels and Whitehall and would form a major part of the previous prime minister, Theresa May’s efforts to lock the European Union into a deal on future relations.

An insider of the British government said that Civil servants have been contemplating on how to give talks and a way to accomplish this is some momentum and dealing with this issue. The offer would mean European nationals entering into the United Kingdom after the Brexit would benefit from visa-free travel.

Are you an employer concerned about the end of European Union free movement and the impact it is likely to have on your workforce?

Business owners should be preparing on how to get their workforce and organization ready for Brexit, and particularly a no-deal scenario.

Supporting EU employees already existing in Britain will be vital to curtailing disruption and also recruitment strategies will have to be evaluated and modified in light of looming changes to British immigration rules.

EU Citizens Rights In UK After Brexit – How Our UK Immigration Advice Service Works

Master Legal Services team of expert lawyers in British citizenship and immigration matters.  We are readily accessible to you for all your immigration concerns and visa applications wherever you are in the world. Should you physically be in the UK, do drop by our office and tap into that expertise we are known for.

Contact our office to speak to an expert today:

T: 020 8935 5205

M: 07710987064

E: a.s@master-legal-services.com

Fees

Our consultation fee is currently between 65 – 125 GBP. However, if you subsequently proceed with your immigration matter, we deduct the consultation fee from our total costs.