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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the Brexit news? The U.K. and the EU have agreed to postpone Brexit until Jan. 31, avoiding a “no-deal” Brexit on Oct. 31. The U.K. will also hold a general election Dec. 12.
Key points:
Analysis & Comments: While a no-deal Brexit has been temporarily avoided, the status of Brexit remains in flux, and it is unclear whether the U.K. will approve a withdrawal agreement before Jan. 31. If a withdrawal agreement is ratified before January, the U.K. will leave before then. If a withdrawal agreement is not approved, the U.K. will leave the EU without a deal on Feb. 1. To prepare for a potential no-deal Brexit, employees should register under the EU Settlement Scheme, and employers should familiarize themselves with no-deal Brexit contingency plans of European countries.
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Home Office has released an iPhone app designed to make it easier for individuals to verify their identity when applying for the EU Settlement Scheme.
What does the change mean? Applicants with an iPhone 8 (or above) will be able to use the EU Exit ID Document Check APP to verify their identity. They must have a biometric passport or biometric residence permit (BRP) in order to use the app. Applicants who are unable to use the app can verify their identity by mailing their passport or by bringing it to any of more than 80 locations in the U.K. The app continues to be available to people who have an Android 6.0 (or above) as well; it is expected to be available for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus following an upcoming software update.
Background: The app is part of an extensive effort by the Home Office to encourage EU/EEA or Swiss nationals to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme as the Oct. 31 Brexit deadline approaches. Currently, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals have until at least December 2020 to apply.
Analysis & Comments: The app could make it easier for some applicants to complete a key part of EU Settlement applications. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals who want to remain in the U.K. are encouraged to work closely with their immigration provider to determine whether they are eligible for the settlement scheme and, if so, how to go about completing their applications.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? EU citizens who have obtained U.K. settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are now able to prove their status by sharing a secure online code.
What does the change mean? The electronic share code is new, but remains optional. EU citizens may continue to use a passport or national identity document to prove their right to reside in the U.K. until at least the end of 2020.
Background: Since January, employers have been able to use the online service to view right-to-work status of an applicant who shares his or her status digitally. The service has now been expanded to banks and other agencies seeking confirmation of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen’s settled status.
Analysis & Comments: EU citizens who wish to use the digital platform to confirm their settlement status may generate a share code to be entered into the system by a bank, the Department of Work and Pensions, or other entities seeking confirmation of their rights in the U.K.
The United Kingdom has published a Statement of Changes to immigration rules, outlining clarifications and amendments to the EU Settlement Scheme and the Tier 2 route for skilled workers, among other programs.
Some of the key changes are as follows:
The full Statement of Changes is available here. An explanatory memorandum on the changes is available here.
Analysis & Comment: The clarification on the EU Settlement Scheme will provide some certainty for non-EU family members of U.K. nationals, especially given that the changes cover both the “deal” and “no deal” Brexit scenarios. The removal of Ph.D.-level jobs from the Tier 2 category and the expansion of the Shortage Occupation List could help some employers deal with labor shortages U.K. companies are currently experiencing. The change to English testing requirements for medical professionals will reduce administrative burdens for some foreign workers.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/aboutto learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Home Office is advising U.K. and EU nationals with passports that expire between now and May 2020 to renew their passports ahead of Brexit.
What does the change mean? U.K. and EU nationals who are planning travel between the U.K. and EU and who have passports that will expire in the coming months should submit a renewal application as soon as possible. Once the renewal application is submitted, it may take up to three weeks to receive the new passport.
Analysis & Comments: U.K and EU nationals traveling in and out of the U.K. after Brexit with a passport set to expire between now and May 2020 should renew their passports now as they may not be able to travel with their current passport after Brexit. Companies should urge affected employees to submit renewal applications immediately to avoid difficulties traveling after Oct. 31.
What is the change? The United Kingdom has issued guidance that requires Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsors to check the date on which migrant employees enter the U.K. Sponsors are then required to create and retain a document recording the date of entry.
Additional information: In most cases, the date of entry can be checked by examining the entry stamp in the employee’s passport. In some cases, however, the employee will not have an entry stamp (e.g., if the employee holds a valid visa and entered the U.K. through Ireland or if the employee entered the U.K. using eGates at the airport). In these cases, sponsors must ask to see additional evidence such as a ticket or boarding pass. Sponsors must make a record of the date of entry but are not required to retain other evidence.
Sponsors should make sure employees entered the U.K. when their visa was valid. In cases where employees entered the U.K. before their visa was valid, they should leave the Common Travel Area and re-enter the U.K. when their visa is valid. Employees who entered the country before their visa was valid are not eligible to work.
Analysis & Comments: The new rules create additional administrative requirements for sponsors and may, in some cases, lead to delayed start dates if employees entered the country before their visa was valid. Sponsors should note that the new rules do not replace or change sponsor responsibilities to ensure that non-EEA/Swiss nationals are eligible to work in the U.K.
What is the change? The Migration Advisory Committee has opened a Call for Evidence seeking comments from businesses and other immigration stakeholders regarding salary thresholds and a points-based style immigration system post-Brexit.
What does the change mean? The deadline for submitting comments is Nov. 5. The MAC is expected to issue a report by early next year and the government is expected to introduce a new immigration system on Jan. 1, 2021.
Background: In 2018, the MAC issued a report on EEA migration and the future U.K. immigration system and recommended that existing salary thresholds should be maintained in the Tier 2 (General) route that currently covers high-skilled non-EEA workers. The government only partially adopted the recommendations on salary thresholds and, on June 24, commissioned the MAC to further study salary thresholds and the future thresholds that should be set under the U.K.’s post-Brexit immigration system.
On Sept. 6, the government then commissioned the MAC to study various models of points-based immigration systems, in particular Australia’s system, and propose recommendations on how the U.K. can strengthen its labor force and attract global talent through its immigration system.
The MAC is made up of independent economic experts and is commissioned by the U.K. government to provide data and recommendations on migration. The committee’s findings and recommendations are not binding, but are highly influential on government policy.
Analysis & Comments: U.K. businesses that rely on non-resident labor are strongly encouraged to participate in the Call for Evidence. The future immigration system and the minimum salary levels that will be set for foreign workers in various sectors will have a direct impact on the ability of companies to access to global talent.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The United Kingdom has announced plans for a new visa category for international students who have completed their studies in the U.K.
What does the change mean? International students who have valid U.K. student immigration status and have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at the undergraduate level or above at a government-approved college or university will be eligible to apply for a visa to work, or seek work, in any position within the U.K., for two years after completing their studies. The Graduate Route will apply to the 2020-21 university intake of students and those coming to study in the U.K. thereafter. The Graduate Route is similar to the two-year Post Study Work Visa the U.K. government discontinued in 2012.
Additional information: The Graduate Route will offer two-year visas to eligible international graduates to live, work and seek work in the U.K. for a period of two years after graduating from a U.K. university, which is significantly longer than the current four months they are allowed. It will also allow them two years to seek a job that meets the skill requirement for them to switch to a skilled work visa.
The announcement goes further than the proposals included in the government white paper, published in December 2018, which stated that international undergraduate and master degree students would be permitted to work in the U.K. for six months (12 months for Ph.D. students) after completion of their studies. Under the Graduate Route, they could to switch to a skilled work visa, currently called a Tier 2 General visa, if they find a job that meets the skill requirement of that route.
Under current U.K. immigration rules, the Tier 2 General visa allows eligible migrants the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the U.K. after working in the U.K. for a period of five years.
Analysis & Comments: This announcement indicates that the current U.K. government wishes to make it easier for international students graduating from university to live and work in the U.K. after completing their studies and provides business with greater flexibility in employing recently graduated international students. It is important for students and businesses to be aware that the Graduate Route will not apply to those currently studying in the U.K., but only to those students who are part of the 2020-21 intake.
The United Kingdom has announced immigration arrangements for EU citizens in the event of a no-deal exit from the European Union.
Key Points:
If applicants are granted Euro LTR, an application under the new immigration system will only need to be made when Euro LTR is expiring. EU/EEA citizens moving to the U.K. after Oct. 31, 2019 will be subject to tougher rules on criminality and conduct. They will also be able to accrue time spent in the U.K. towards ILR under new immigration rules after Jan. 1, 2021.
Analysis & Comments: Following significant uncertainty in the past few weeks, the immigration arrangements are welcome news for EU/EEA citizens and U.K. employers. Although frontier workers have not been mentioned, they will be able to continue traveling and working as they do now, as no immediate permission is required.
What is the change? The Home Office has announced a plan to introduce a new fast-track visa for select professionals with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
What does the change mean? The new scheme will be part of the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route and will offer three-year visas to eligible individuals in the STEM fields. Once their visa has expired, they will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in the U.K.
Additional information: In addition to introducing a new fast-track visa for STEM professionals, the Home Office has announced additional proposed changes to the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa including: removing the requirement that those endorsed as Exceptional Promise must have been awarded a prestigious research fellowship, opening up the route to those who have received European research funding, and removing the cap of individuals able to obtain the visa.
The new fast-track visa will allow holders to obtain dependent visas for spouses/partners and children under 18.
Analysis & Comments: The expansion of the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route is good news for companies looking to hire foreign talent in STEM fields as it will help them attract experienced foreign nationals. More information regarding the application process will be announced later this year.