The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020. The prospect of the UK leaving the EU brings forward a number of concerns for employers and employees alike. As a result of Brexit, there are certain new rules that British employers of EU citizens must be aware of. According to the new structure, new immigration rules will apply to those arriving in the UK from January 1, 2021. Getting legal immigration services is now essential for EU citizens applying to work in the UK. As a premium immigration consultancy services, we have prepared this blog for British employers who are looking to employ EU citizens.
Do Businesses Need a licence to Hire EU Citizens?
Yes, every British employer will require a sponsor licence to be able to hire workers from the EU. This comprises the citizens from the EU, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway who came to the UK after December 31, 2020. The British employer, however, would not require a sponsor licence for employees such as:
- Those having settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme
- Irish Nationals
- People having indefinite leave to stay in the UK
When Can Employees Apply for Their Work Visas?
Once the British employer has obtained the sponsor licence and is approved to issue a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) to workers from the EU, this certificate is assigned to the new employees who are EU citizens that are recruited. Our immigration consultancy services help employers to get the licence to issue the CoS, which is assigned through the Sponsorship Management System. Once the certificate is issued, it is valid for 90 days, and the EU employees can initiate the process of getting a work visa. EU citizens looking to work in the UK will have to obtain a visa in advance.
EU citizens who are employed in the UK pre-Brexit will have to obtain a work permit visa for the UK and satisfy all the immigration agreement norms. Brexit has opened up a way for the British government to make changes to the employment laws. The EU citizens will be required to apply for the settled status in order to keep living and working in the UK. It is better to consult an immigration lawyer to avoid sponsor licence revocation.
Employment of EU Nationals in the United Kingdom Post Brexit
The free movement rights of the EU nationals end with Brexit on January 1, 2021. Effectively the EU citizens will now have to face the same visa process as non-EU nationals. You have to be prepared to get Sponsor licence after Brexit. The UK government has designed a points-based-process to obtain the work visa under two categories:
- Skilled worker visa for applicants with a job offer
- A highly skilled work visa for those without a job offer
Once the applicants satisfy the basic criteria of an employment offer from an approved sponsor along with English language requirement, you have to meet the following criteria:
- Salary range
- Jobs in a ‘Shortage’ category
- Education level
Why Choose Osbourne Pinner for Sponsor Licence?
We offer visa and immigration consultancy services to EU as well as non-EU nationals. We help the British employers to obtain the sponsor licence UK and employees from the European Union to obtain the work permit through legal means. Our team of sponsor licence solicitors makes sure that you are apprised of all the necessary regulatory changes regarding the work visa for EU nationals. Our team of UK immigration solicitors is highly experienced in handling matters related to immigration and settlement in the UK for foreign citizens and helps them fulfil all the legal obligations of migrating to the country. Call our immigration consultancy services to get help with the visa permits and sponsor licence.
We offer 30 minutes free of charge initial consultation
To discuss your sponsor licence requirements or issues you need to resolve please contact our team of expert Solicitors on 0203 983 5080 or fill in the online enquiry form.
