With the United Kingdom deciding to leave the European Union, you may be wondering what this means for your chances when applying to work in the UK after Brexit. You need to know what the legal ramifications are when applying to work in the UK after Brexit. These are a complex set of rules depending on your origin so its sometimes difficult to get your head around how you will be able to work in the United Kingdom.
What is the impact of Brexit for me applying to work in the UK?
Before the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the UK, the EU had the concept of free movement of workers. This meant that you could apply to any job in the United Kingdom as an EU worker and under law the employer would have to consider your application whenever possible in the same way they would look at a UK or another EU country applicant.
With the UK’s withdrawal, the immigration system has tightened and you are only allowed to stay in the UK beyond 3 months if you have official residence there. To be employed there you need to be contracted.
Can I apply to work in the UK if I am already settled there
The UK government website indicates that you can apply to an EU Settlement Scheme. The EU Settlement Scheme is for people who are nationals of the EU who were residents of the UK before the 31st December 2020. This status gives you the power to look for work in the UK if you are already settled. You need to point out on your CV that you have this special status as it could affect your ability to be considered for job in the UK labour market.
How do I get a Visa to apply to work in the UK after Brexit?
The United Kingdom has adopted a new immigration system based on points awarded to your application. These are essentially criteria you must pass in order to be illegible to work in the United Kingdom. Most of them relate to your previous job status, your sponsor (future employer) and whether these fit into a set of criteria. These criteria include :
- Whether you have a job offer by an approved sponsor.
- Where you speak English at an approved level
- The job is at an approriate skill level that is demand
- What you salary is (the higher it is, the more points you receive)
- The job you are applying to is in shortage.
- The job is in health or education and the salary exceed a certain amount per year
- Your education qualifications.
- Whether you are a “New Entrant”, which is set by a specific set of criteria relating to age and whether you studied in the UK.
You can also move to the United Kingdom as a job seeker if you have specific qualifications that are required for the labour market there. This is called the Global Talent program. These criteria include people with Phds in a subject that are more in demand, or a unique skill. You can also set up a start up via an endorsing body. All the information can be found on the UK government website.