13 July 2018

The much-anticipated Brexit White Paper published yesterday does very little to alleviate uncertainty over the post-Brexit immigration landscape. It reflects the government’s resolve to end free movement in December 2020 and to replace it with a system which will allow the UK to ‘take back control of its borders’.

Whilst there is little detail on how this will be achieved, the White Paper does contain provisions for:

• businesses to move their ‘talented people’;
• EU citizens to travel freely, without a visa, for tourism and temporary business activity; and
• EU students and young people to be able to come to the UK to study and experience UK culture, suggesting that the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) may be extended to EU citizens.

The UK is also proposing reciprocal arrangements regarding the access to public services such as healthcare and pensions.

No immediate changes
The White Paper does not affect EU nationals and their family members’ right to reside in the UK on the basis of free movement rules until at least the end of the implementation period (31 December 2020). Those resident in the UK before the end of the implementation period will have until at least 30 June 2021 to apply for UK immigration status through the new EU Settlement Scheme.

Next steps
The government is expected to publish its White Paper on post-Brexit immigration arrangements following the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report, expected in September 2018.

Contact
For further information on the implications of Brexit for employers and EU nationals, and our Brexit services, contact your assigned lawyer or email EUenquiries@lauradevine.com.