On 18 October 2019 the House of Commons Library published details of the government’s planned post-Brexit immigration system. The report examined the government’s current proposals for the immigration system it intends to implement from 1 January 2021, including the end of free movement of EEA citizens, visa arrangements and a proposed transition period. However, many of the details of how the system will operate and what applicants will be required to evidence remains unknown.
Some of the key points which EEA citizens entering, or planning to enter, the UK after 1 January 2021 should take note of include the following:
- Free movement of EEA citizens into the UK will end when the UK leaves the EU;
- The UK’s immigration regime will change regardless of whether the UK agrees a deal with the EU or has a no-deal Brexit;
- Before the new system is implemented there will be a transition period, commencing after exit day (under both a deal or a no-deal Brexit scenario) during which time free movement in the UK will essentially continue;
- Under proposals for the future immigration system, citizens from the EU and the EEA will require a visa to enter the UK after Brexit in most cases, except for short stays and tourism.
As the report itself notes, many of the outlined provisions are currently merely policy announcements and the substantive details of many of these proposed policies are largely unknown. However, it does reiterate the government’s intention to expand the Tier 2 visa category (whilst removing certain current requirements), to introduce a Post-Study Work visa route, drop net migration targets and provide an amnesty for certain “illegal immigrants”. The intended policy changes to Theresa May’s Immigration White Paper are also summarised.
The report reminds us that on 6 September 2019 the Home Secretary commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to explore the possibility of an “Australian style points-based system” for the UK. The Migrant Advisory Committee is due to deliver its report on this in January 2020.
The full report may be found here.
Gherson has extensive experience within all areas of UK immigration law and has been following all Brexit and free movement related developments closely. If you require assistance with any aspects of your UK immigration matters, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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