The Government has published its Brexit ‘No-Deal Readiness Report’ which is designed to set out in one place details of its preparations in the event of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
The report covers 10 key areas. In relation to citizens’ rights and the end of free movement, the report reiterates the information previously provided by the Government which we covered here.
The Home Secretary has also recently written to the Home Affairs Select Committee, responding to a request for further information on the Home Office’s plans for immigration in the event of a no-deal departure from the EU.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, it is worth reiterating the following key points:
- EU citizens and their family members who are already living in the UK when the UK leaves the EU will continue to be able to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme until at least December 2020.
- EU citizens who are not living in the UK when the UK leaves the EU will be able to move to the UK until December 2020 without needing to apply for a visa. If they would like to have evidence of their right to be in the UK, they will be able to apply for Euro TLR. Euro TLR will be a voluntary digitalised application process, similar to the EU Settled Status Scheme process, which will provide digital confirmation of the individual’s right to remain, including to work and study, for a three year period. It will also count towards the five year qualifying period for settlement (the individual would need to make a further application under the new immigration system, due to come into force in January 2021).
- In the period following Brexit and before the new immigration system comes into force, all EU citizens will be able to evidence their right to live and work in the UK by using a valid EEA or Swiss passport or national identity card.
If the UK leaves the EU, we would recommend that EU citizens who were living in the UK before Brexit and who have not already made an application consider applying under the EU Settlement Scheme sooner rather than later to ensure that their rights are protected and to avoid what is likely to be a surge in applications before the cut-off date.
We will continue to update our website as further information is announced.
You can also find further information on our Brexit Immigration Analysis page.
