There is no doubt that Brexit will have a substantial impact on UK-based businesses hiring non-UK talent. For anyone out of the loop, from 1st January 2021 there is a new skilled worker points-based system for anyone outside of the UK looking to work within it, and a new process for prospective employers to follow.
Although it’s early days, we’re seeing employers focussing on hiring UK-based candidates (including EU nationals who have been in the UK prior to the 31st December 2020) and excluding applications for anyone living outside of the UK. Not ideal but understandable. As you’ll come on to read below, there are now additional barriers and checks that UK businesses have to undertake if they’re wanting to hire someone from outside of the UK. Like with anything new and imposed, there’s going to be a period of 'bedding in' and I suspect that as things settle, it will open up a bit. What I do know for sure is there isn’t enough home-grown talent to fill all the Accounting & Finance vacancies, so something will have to give at some point... time will tell in terms of when and what that looks like but eventually I envisage a more open view on hiring non-UK-based talent and everything that comes with that.
2020 showed us that as human beings we’re fantastic at adapting to evolving situations and Brexit will be no different.
For EU workers
Application Process:
Verify your identity
Pay an application fee and if staying longer than 6 months pay the immigration health surcharge
Apply and receive confirmation that you have been successful before travelling to the UK
Travel to the UK with the same documentation you made the application with
Skilled Worker Visa:
Must have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor at required skill level
You will be paid a minimum of £26,500 per annum by your potential employer
You can speak English at the intermediate level B1
Click on the image above to read the guide.
For UK Employers
Checking EU Citizen job applicant right to work
Up to 30th June 2021 passport or identity card is fine
You have a duty not to discriminate against EU, EEA or Swiss citizens AND cannot require them to show you their status under the EU Settlement Scheme until after 30th June 2021
UK points-based immigration system
Applies to people arriving in the UK from 1st January 2021
EU Citizens moving to the UK to work need to get a visa in advance
EU citizens applying for a skilled worker visa need to show they have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor to be able to apply
Employers need a sponsor license to hire most workers from outside of the UK
EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and family members who were living in the UK prior to the 31st December 2020 need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after the 30th June 2021