At 11 PM on 31 December 2020, freedom of movement between the UK and EU ended.
From January 1, 2021, the UK is no longer be part of the EU’s Customs union and Single Market and all legal aspects of Britain’s membership cease to apply.
There is no change in Irish citizens’ rights to freely enter, work and live in the UK without permission.
This guide will cover what you need to know about your entry requirements if you plan to visit the UK.
Visiting the UK
Swiss citizens, EEA and EU nationals and other non-visa nationals will not be required to have a tourist visa when they enter the country and can stay for up to 6 months.
EU citizens will be able to use a valid passport (until at least 2026), or a national identity card (until 1 October 2021).
EU nationals can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to six months without a visa for certain business or academic activities (for example go to a conference or a meeting).
However, they cannot:
do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
carry outa work placement or internship
sell directly to the public or provide goods and services
Such visitors will need to have a valid passport for their travel and can be asked to prove:
They are eligible for the activities they want to do
They have arranged accommodation for their stay
They will leave at the end of their visit
They will be able to support themselves and their dependents during their trip (or have funding from someone else who will support them)
If you want to work in sports, arts or entertainment for less than 3 months:
You do not need a visa for qualifying work in sports, arts or entertainment if you’re coming to the UK for three months or less using the Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (T5) concession.
You must bring a certificate of sponsorship and evidence of savings to show officers at the UK border.
Driving in the UK if you are from EU
Visitors with a non-UK driving licence are able to drive in the UK. An international driving permit won’t be necessary.
If you have vehicle insurance issued in the EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you do not need to carry an insurance green card, but carrying other valid proof of insurance is advised.
Using your mobile phone in the UK if you are from EU
You will be charged the same for texts, calls and mobile data in the UK as you are in the EU if you have a SIM card which is given by a phone network from an EU or EEA country.
Common Travel Area
Common Travel Area (CTA) is a long-standing arrangement between the UK and its dependencies & Ireland, which predates both countries’ membership of the EU. Under the CTA British and Irish citizens are allowed to move freely and live in either jurisdiction. They will also enjoy associated rights, including the right to study, work and vote in some elections, as well as to access health services and welfare benefits.
Travelling and residing in the CTA
You do not need permission to enter or remain in the UK, including a visa, any form of employment permit or residence.
Exceptions apply to those subject to:
a deportation order
an exclusion decision
an international travel ban
If you have family members who are not British or Irish citizens, they’re not covered by CTA arrangements.
Working in the CTA
If you are an Irish or British citizen, you are allowed to work in either country, including on a self-employed basis, without needing any permission from the authorities.
Studying in the CTA
If you are an Irish or British citizen you have the right to access all levels of education in either state on terms no less favourable than those available to the citizens of that state.
Crossing the border
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and South Korea will be able to use ePassport gates to cross the border with a biometric chip in their passport.
It is likely for Swiss citizens, EU and EEA nationals to be able to use ePassport gates as well, but this will be kept under review.
Working in the UK
If you want to work in the UK, you must have a visa. A new points-based immigration system is going to come into effect.
It will work in the interest of the whole of the UK, including Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally and the aim is to attract people who will contribute to the UK’s economy.
Who can apply for a UK visa?
Individuals of all nationalities can apply for a visa, except for British and Irish citizens.
They should have a job offer and their employment should be sponsored by a UK employer, who is Home Office Licensed to work in specific occupations.
You may also like:
UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa (Tier 5) – What Is It & How To Apply
UK Ancestry Visa – All You Need To Know
Skilled workers
From the beginning of 2021, the job that you are offered should be at a required skill level of RQF 3 level (The UK’s Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)) or above.
It’s important that you are paid the relevant salary threshold by your sponsor and speak English.
This will be either the going rate threshold for your job or the general salary threshold of
£25,600, whichever is higher.
If you earn less than the required minimum salary threshold, but no less than £20,480, you may still be eligible for a visa if you can demonstrate that you have a job offer in an industry that is on the ‘shortage occupation’ list, or if you have a PhD relevant to the job.
Everyone who wants to apply for a “skilled work visa” should earn a minimum of £20,480 and it does not matter if you are working part or full-time.
If you want to earn the extra 20 points, you will even need to earn a higher salary than that.
Global talents
The scheme will be opened to Swiss citizens, EU and EEA nationals. High-skilled scientists and researchers will be allowed to come to the UK without a job offer.
This new, fast-track visa scheme is aiming to attract the world’s top sharpest minds and talents – mathematicians, researchers and scientists.
International students and graduates
Student visa routes will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. You’ll be able to apply for a visa to study in the UK if you:
have been offered a place on a course
can speak, read, write and understand English
have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course. A new graduate immigration route will be available to international students who have completed a degree in the UK from summer 2021. You’ll be able to work or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to 2 years, or 3 years if you are a PhD graduate.
We are waiting for more details to be published by the government in due course. It’s expected that the new policy will lead to less immigration, but this depends on the strength of the economy in the UK, as well as the country of origin.
The post UK’s New Immigration System Explained appeared first on Welcome to the official Visa First blog!.
