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The way you hire from the EU has changed.

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Free movement ended on 31 December and the UK has introduced a points-based immigration system. The new system treats EU and non-EU citizens equally and transforms the way in which all migrants come to the UK to work. Anyone coming to the UK to work will need to apply for permission in advance except Irish citizens or EU citizens eligible for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Key messages include

• The way you hire from the EU has changed. You must be a licensed sponsor to hire eligible employees from outside the UK.

• Free movement has ended, and the points-based immigration system has salary and language requirements that change the way you hire from the EU.

• The system treats EU and non-EU citizens equally and transforms the way in which employers recruit from outside the UK.

• You need a sponsor licence to hire most eligible employees from outside the UK. This does not apply to Irish citizens.

• Some immigration routes, such as Global Talent, are ‘unsponsored’. You do not need a licence to hire employees with an unsponsored visa. An unsponsored points-based visa is designed to attract the best and most promising international talent in science, research, and tech.

• From 1 July 2021, employers will no longer be able to accept EU, EAA or Swiss passports or ID cards as valid proof of right-to-work, except for Irish citizens

Are you aware of the new “right to work employee factsheet” and “right to work checklist”?

Some businesses we have worked with