Deal or No Deal? Brexit and the Tech talent Gap

Not much can be said with any certainty about Brexit, not even when, or if, it will happen. However, there are some things that we do know particularly with regard to employees and how they can come into the UK in the event of either a Deal or No Deal.

Where there is a Deal then initially the EU Settlement Scheme will assist those who are living in the UK on or before 31 December 2020. They will be able to apply for EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status. Applications can be made from 30 March 2019.

All those arriving after 31 December 2020 will need to apply through the Points Based System and have a Sponsor Licence.

If there is No Deal then the situation is more challenging. EU Migrants who come to the UK on or after 13 April 2019 will be subject to a new regime, those already in the UK can apply for EU Settled or pre-Settled Status. Those who arrive Post Brexit will need to apply for temporary leave to remain.

Regardless of whether we have a Deal or No Deal there will be a new immigration system in place from 2021 which will apply to third country nationals, other than those coming from Ireland. Although the skills level will be reduced, allowing lower skilled workers to come into the UK it will still make life more difficult.

Those who employee EU Nationals now should consider:

1. Urgently registering as a sponsor
2. Invest in compliance training to understand how to protect your valuable sponsorship licence
3. Assist existing staff to apply for EU Settled Status.