EU Settlement Scheme – less than a month left to apply!

The deadline for applications under the EU settlement scheme is approaching fast. There is less than a month left before the 30 June deadline.  

All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 who haven’t already applied to the EU settlement scheme should do so now.  This will enable them to continue to work, study, and access free healthcare and benefits in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Although employers are not responsible for making sure their EU employees apply to the scheme, now would be a good time to remind them that the deadline is approaching and to cascade the information in the employer toolkit. 

Employers do not need to carry out retrospective Right to Work Checks on existing employees after the 30 June 2021 deadline. However, although the government doesn’t require it, we would still advise doing a retrospective right to work check on your EU employees who were employed before 1 July 2021. It will minimise the risk of employing an EU worker who has not regularised their stay under UK law by 1 July. The simplest way to do this, in a non-discriminatory way, would be to conduct a right to work audit of everyone in your organisation.

From 1 July, new EU, EEA and Swiss employees hired by employers will need to demonstrate their right to work in the UK either with the pre-settled or settled status, or with a visa under the points-based immigration system.

If you would like further information about applying under the EU settlement scheme or about supporting your EU,EEA or Swiss staff, please contact Head of Business Immigration, Anita de Atouguia or any member of the business immigration team.