Recruiting people from outside the UK after Brexit

Settled status: are your EU workers ready or at risk?

With COVID-19 continuing to dominate everything, it is easy to forget that the UK’s Brexit transition period is due to end on 31 December!

The Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration have issued guidance for employers explaining that, when the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, they will need to have a sponsor licence to hire most workers from outside the UK.

On that date, freedom of movement between the UK and EU will end and the UK will introduce an immigration system that will aim to treat all applicants equally, regardless of their country of origin.

Set to come into force from 1 January, the new system requires companies hiring workers who meet the points-based system. The points based system will allow employers in the UK to sponsor skilled workers from abroad.

This represents a significant change for employers recruiting from outside the UK labour market, who will need to adapt.

Brexit will have an impact on EU recruitment and employers will need to ensure that they continue to have access to the skills their businesses need, so it is best for businesses to be proactive in assessing work structures and the impact Brexit will have on their staff.

Employers who think that they may want to sponsor migrants through the skilled worker route from January 2021 should consider applying for a licence at www.gov.uk/apply-sponsor-licence.

❓ Are you prepared or do you need some help with understanding how these changes apply to your business? I’ll be working closely with an expert immigration solicitor if you need help in this area.