Your business and Brexit

The UK has now left the EU and the final Brexit transitional period ended on 30 June 2021. EU nationals living and working in the UK prior to 31 December 2020 should have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, and if eligible, would have been granted either settled or pre-settled status. From 1 July, EU nationals not registered to the scheme will in most cases require permission to work in the UK via the new Points-Based System which came into effect on 1 January 2021.

We want to assure you that K2 have a dedicated immigration team who are here to help your business through this process every step of the way.

Simplifying the process, ensuring everything is covered

Operating globally means that your employees often need to undertake regular business travel. The frequency of visits and length of time spent at different countries necessitate important immigration service planning. It is vital to ensure you do not find your employees on the wrong side of the new immigration rules which can run the risk of costly financial penalties, as well as reputational damage and loss of productivity.

Now, with Brexit, even more careful planning is required to ensure accurate execution, especially as the new immigration system affects both EU and non-EU nationals. Our aim is to reduce the burden on you and take on the complexity on your behalf, simplifying the process by providing comprehensive guidance throughout.

Preparation: obtaining permission to work

Employers should be aware that EU nationals coming to work in the UK will require permission to work under the new immigration system. Employers should note the new qualifying criteria to obtain the required work permissions to include minimum salary levels, English language requirement and minimum skill levels needed.

K2 can provide guidance and assistance throughout the application process.

What you need to be doing now

It is vital that employers review their HR records to ensure their EU employees who registered to the scheme before 30 June 2021 provide the necessary check codes so the employer can obtain the required ‘right to work’ checks for their files.

Brexit immigration questions

Have a read through all the latest immigration questions and answers that we have been asked about Brexit.

K2 events - 16 Dec 2020

Webinar: Working Internationally - Amidst Covid-19 and Brexit

We will be sharing with you our key considerations and industry updates.

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Key milestones

31 December 2020

If an EU national was resident in the UK by this date, they were eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Applications were free and should have been made before 30 June 2021.

1 January 2021

A new immigration system came into force requiring EU and non-EU nationals coming to the UK for the first time to apply for a visa to work, live and study.

30 June 2021

EU nationals qualifying under the EU Settlement Scheme must have applied before this date.

Read more about the difference between settled or pre-settled status in our latest FAQ.

British nationals in the EU

It is important for companies and individuals to prepare for new immigration requirements. Each EU country will be putting in place different processes and requirements for British nationals who wants to continue to reside in the respective country. This is commonly referred to as ‘the settlement process’, which will have a deadline to be completed.

Compliance in regards to the settlement process is important from both a personal and corporate perspective. For private individuals, it is required to be able to retain residence and work rights. From a corporate perspective, it is important to ensure that all employees have valid work rights. If the transition is not planned carefully and companies do not have full insight into their employee population, it could lead to breaches of employment law.