The changes in the rules of entry into the United Kingdom for Europeans post-Brexit is a topic that still raises doubts in those who want to live in the countries that are part of the United Kingdom, especially England.
To help, follow our article and find out what are the main visa regulations and entry requirements for Europeans in the UK.
What has changed for UK entry for post-Brexit Europeans?
The UK has always maintained an aloof stance when it was part of the European Union (EU).
The non-accession of the island countries to the Schengen Area agreement, which allows the free movement of people between EU member countries.
Despite this, there have been important changes in the entry into the UK for post-Brexit Europeans.
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Among these changes, we can highlight, for example, the end of the free movement of people, the limitation of services that previously flowed from one side to the other, the imposition of customs controls, among others.
Passport Required
After Brexit, the United Kingdom ceased to belong to the European Union.
Therefore, European citizens who want to enter Great Britain will have to present their passports like tourists from other non-European countries. So, no special queues.
Generally speaking, European citizens can visit the UK as a “Standard Visitor” for tourism, business, study (on courses of up to six months) and other government-authorized activities for a period of up to six months.
However, if you plan to extend your stay, you will need to issue a visa specifically for your purpose.
It is therefore possible to stay in the UK without a visa for the period specified above, but free movement between Britons and Europeans no longer exists.
Bearing in mind that with this it is not possible to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, claim benefits or live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits.
Greater Immigration Control
Greater immigration controls, of course, was another shift that took place on entry to the UK for post-Brexit Europeans.
For years, EU citizens could travel freely across the English Channel, but now they need a visa to live and work on British soil .
The visa is not mandatory for tourist trips in the United Kingdom for up to six months, but it is mandatory to go through immigration control and receive the stamp in the passport.
European citizens can stay up to six months in the island’s countries for tourism, health treatment or academic study.
But, if necessary, this stay is extended to up to 11 and 12 months, respectively.
In addition, only those who have their resident status formalized can enter the UK with their identity card. Other European citizens must present their passport.
Work
European citizens planning to work in the UK must meet certain requirements that make up the points system.
These include the presentation of a visa, job offer, proof of level of English and an annual salary of at least £25,600.
Foreigners who lived in the United Kingdom and the European Union before the end of 2020 have their rights guaranteed.
However, they need to formalize their resident status to continue working legally in the country.
Do People With European Citizenship Need A Visa To Live In The Country?
To legally reside in the country, foreigners with European citizenship who lived in the UK before the end of 2020 could stay in the island’s countries, but it was mandatory to enter the EU Settlement Scheme.
The system was created to regularize citizens of member countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland who wished to live in the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, if you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020, you must be allowed to live and work in the UK under the points-based immigration system, unless you are eligible to apply for the EU Settelment Scheme.
In any case, for stays longer than six months, whether to work or study, for example, a specific visa will be required.
Proof that the applicant is able to support himself during his stay in the UK is one of the main requirements for issuing a visa.
Do You Need A Visa To Work?
Yes, entry into the UK for post-Brexit Europeans for work requires a visa. In these cases, foreigners must meet certain requirements to obtain authorization, such as:
- Be fluent in English;
- Present the employment contract;
- Have an annual salary of at least £25,600.
These criteria form part of the points system implemented to assess applicants’ aptitude.
The new rules apply to all foreigners planning to work in the UK.
Foreigners who worked legally in the UK or EU before 2020 do not need to apply to the system to obtain a visa.
But they must formalize the request as a resident of the country.
And to study?
Citizens with European citizenship who plan to study language or higher education courses in the UK for more than six months must present a student visa, in addition to fulfilling some basic requirements such as:
- English level certificate;
- Proof of approval/vacancy in the intended course;
- Prove that you are able to pay for the course and support yourself in the country.
However, those who complete their postgraduate course in the UK from the summer of 2021 can stay in the country to work or look for a job for up to two years.
Do Uk Citizens Also Need A Visa To Live In The European Union?
It wasn’t just entry into the UK for post-Brexit Europeans that changed.
British travelers who wish to live in another European Union country for more than 90 days, in a period of 180 consecutive days, must apply for a residence permit and present the following documents to immigration:
- Round trip ticket;
- Proof of travel justification;
- Passport valid for at least 6 months and issued for less than 10 years.
British travelers also cannot enter the immigration queue for citizens of the European Union, Switzerland and the European Economic Area at airports.
And, although it is still in the negotiation process, it is likely that you will need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to any of the EU countries from 2023 onwards.
Can the UK bar Europeans from entering?
Yes, the UK is holding dozens of young Europeans at the border.
Some travelers with European citizenship without a work visa, mandatory after Brexit in January 2021, are detained before being sent to their home country.
Under post-Brexit rules, EU citizens can enter the UK even without a visa.
However, if the foreigner intends to live or work in the country, authorization is required.
What Is Required For Uk Entry For Post-brexit Europeans
European citizens who plan to live in the UK but are not eligible to obtain resident status under the EU Settlement Scheme need to apply for a visa before boarding to the country.
This process is carried out on the basis of the new British immigration regime called the UK Points-based Immigration System.
If eligible, the foreigner must apply on the British Government website and follow the other guidelines on the visa application process.
At this stage, you must demonstrate that you meet the requirements and achieve the necessary score for the authorization you want to obtain.
In addition to verifying identity via smartphone or at the Visa Application Center, the applicant must also pay an application fee to apply for the visa.
And if your stay in the UK is longer than six months, you will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which allows access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
The processing period for visa applications varies widely, as it depends on the type of authorization, service available and the correct submission of documentation.
It is therefore significant for travelers to embark on the application some time before boarding so as not to have problems with entry into the UK for post-Brexit Europeans.
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