Insights & News

England introduces quarantine hotels and further post-arrival COVID-19 testing

12 February 2021

From 15 February 2021, international arrivals to England will be required to quarantine in a government-managed hotel if, within the ten days before arrival, they have been in or transited a country to which a travel ban applies (‘red list countries’). Additional post-arrival COVID-19 testing has been mandated from the same date. A raft of sanctions will also apply for non-compliance.

COVID-19 requirements for travelling and entry to the UK

04 February 2021

Since the beginning of 2021, the Government has implemented a raft of additional travel and entry measures to minimise the spread of new coronavirus variants in the UK.

UK launches new immigration routes for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) citizens

27 January 2021

From 31 January 2021, two new immigration routes will be launched for British National (Overseas) (‘BNO’) citizens and for their adult children, who are born on or after 1 July 1997. These two routes are BN(O) Status Holder and BN(O) Household Member.

Brexit: Implications for NI Employers of EU Nationals

22 January 2021

The Brexit implementation period ended at 11pm on 31 December 2020, and with it, free movement of persons in the EU also came to an end. This is despite the fact that the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was agreed between the UK and the EU on 24 December. Therefore, it is important to understand the new immigration rules that apply to EEA and Swiss nationals wishing to visit or work in Northern Ireland and vice versa.

Skilled Worker visa provides new options for foreign workers

22 January 2021

Under the new immigration system launched on 1 December 2020, the Skilled Worker route has replaced Tier 2 (General). Benefits for employers include fewer restrictions on switching into the Skilled Worker visa from within the UK; lowering the skills threshold to RQF Level 3; reduced salary thresholds and removal of the Resident Labour Market Test. We discuss the impact of these changes below, as well as some of the considerations for settlement.

Right to work checks for EEA nationals during the first half of 2021

19 January 2021

The Home Office has confirmed that there will be no change to the right to work check procedure for EEA nationals who start work in the UK between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2021 (the post-transition ‘grace period’), but has left the question of what to do when an EEA national does not have the right to work unanswered.

What the trade deal with the EU means for immigration

29 December 2020

With the end of the Brexit implementation period comes the end of free movement of persons. This is the case irrespective of the fact that the UK has secured a trade deal with the EU.

Requirements for British nationals working in the EEA from 1 January 2021

24 December 2020

With the end of free movement, we understand that there are some significant changes for employers to consider. As of 1 January 2021, Brits visiting and working in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be restricted, with Schengen rules being introduced for visitors and work visas being required otherwise.

A guide to the immigration implications of COVID-19 for UK employers

23 December 2020

This document sets out the main immigration law issues and Home Office guidance that you need to be aware of so you can consider the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for your business. The Home Office is making policy announcements and issuing revised guidance regularly and we will keep you updated as this is published.

Some EEA nationals must return to the UK by 31 December 2020 to settle under EU Settlement Scheme

21 December 2020

During the course of 2020, many EEA nationals who have been living in the UK have moved abroad due to reasons relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. In important guidance issued by the Home Office on 15 December 2020, the Home Office has confirmed that the normal rules on absences will be applied when assessing eligibility for pre-settlement and settlement under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). What this means is that some EEA nationals will need to return to the UK by 11 pm on 31 December 2020 if they wish to avoid losing their eligibility for pre-settled and/or settled status under the scheme.

Sports Q&A: Points-based system introduced for overseas players in England post Brexit: what does this mean for football transfers?

21 December 2020

To obtain a visa to play professional football in the UK a player must first obtain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) from the FA.

The countdown for the new UK immigration system 2020 and Brexit – are you ready?

21 December 2020

From 1 December 2020 a new immigration system came into force in the UK. It will apply to EEA/Swiss (‘EEA’) nationals from 1 January 2021. Employers should have started preparing for these changes, including understanding the proposed new rules, checking recruitment plans and budgets, obtaining or reviewing a sponsor licence and assisting staff with applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.

英国就労ビザへの新しいポイントベース移民システムの導入

16 December 2020

労働を目的とする移民について、10月中旬の移民法の改正に関する政府発表は、多くの点でむしろ拍子抜けしたものであった。 過去2年間、「新しい」ポイントベースの移民制度に関する政府の計画を説明した一連の報告書と政策の発表が続いた。そのため、その主要な変更点に関しては、驚くに足るものではなかった。 For workbased immigration, mid-October’s statement of changes to the Immigration Rules was in many ways rather anticlimactic. The last two years have been a series of reports and policy statements setting out the government’s plans for a ‘new’ Points-Based Immigration System. The major changes therefore come as no great surprise.

Right to work checks beyond 2020

10 December 2020

We are the last few weeks away from the end of the transition period and leaving freedom of movement behind. Although employers will be busy getting to grips with the post-Brexit immigration system, what we are seeing is that they are very concerned about what changes they need to make to their right to work check procedures, and when.

New frontier worker route launched from 10 December 2020

10 December 2020

On 10 December 2020, the UK opened up a process for EEA nationals to apply for a frontier worker permit. This will allow some cross-border commuters who work in the UK but live abroad to continue their working pattern after the end of the Brexit transition period.

A guide to the new immigration rules for players coming to the Premier League and EFL: Stephen O’Flaherty writes for LawInSport

Press

04 December 2020

With the opening of the transfer window on 2 January 2021, UK football clubs will be in uncharted territory. Not only will they face the prospect of signing European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals for the first time following the end of freedom of movement, but they will also have to navigate the UK’s new immigration system (applicable to all immigrants) and The Football Association’s new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria (relating specifically to work permits for overseas footballers wanting to play in England & Wales).

No U18 signings, partner clubs and fast thinking: English football post-Brexit. Andrew Osborne comments for The Athletic

Press

03 December 2020

The United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union will end in just over four weeks’ time and that momentous split ensures change is coming across all walks of life from January 1, 2021. Football is no exception.

The new immigration system – Q&As

30 November 2020

In our recent webinar in November 2020, we shared an overview of the new system and how it is likely to work in practice. We cover sponsorship of skilled workers and look at some of the main work-related immigration routes, including the Skilled Worker, Intra-Company Transfer, Sporting and Creative, Global Talent and Graduate visas. Our webinar generated a wide-ranging set of questions from attendees, which we have collated and answered as a set of Q&As.