Bringing talent into the UK post-Brexit

Looking forward to 2021? Why not, right? Aren't we all optimistic at this point that it has to be better than 2020?

Well, we are now less than a month out until Brexit kicks in, so hopefully, if you are planning on bringing critical talent into the UK, you already have your UK Sponsor License set up! If not, connect asap with your immigration provider to get that process started. The UK government website notes that you will now need a sponsor license to employ someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein coming to the UK to work. If your application is successful, you will be provided a "licence rating" and be able to issue "certificates of sponsorship," assuming the jobs are suitable for sponsorship. Your company will need to prove appropriate systems are in place to monitor sponsored employees.

There are new post-Brexit immigration rules that have been published and are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2021. The new Tier 2 visa program is now taking applications. This new skilled worker route operates on a points system, with points awarded for a job offer at an appropriate skill level, a non-UK national’s level of English and a minimum salary being paid. Visas will be awarded to non-UK nationals who score enough points.

Back in October, TaylorWessing published this article: "The UK's new immigration rules after Brexit: five things employers should do." Pretty basic suggestions from reviewing and understanding the new rules, to ensuring you meet the sponsorship requirements, to reviewing and updating budgets going into the new year with the new system. But since then, the UK Home Office has published the proposed changes, and they're more than 500 fun pages to read through! Maybe consider TaylorWessing's upcoming webinar to better understand the "challenges arising from the impending Brexit transition, the Coronavirus and the return to the workplace; changes around independent contractors and worker status & potential changes to the rules on non-competes."

Don't have time for that? Then try this article from Lexology, which has more detail but not too much to overwhelm: "New post-Brexit immigration rules published: what UK employers need to know." 

No time for that either? Like we suggested above, connect with your immigration partner, maybe someone like Newland Chase, who we have linked to below. They are on hand to assist businesses in getting a head start on preparing for these changes. Check out their Brexit Hub to read more about what you should know.