The immigration status of EEA citizens and their families residing in the United Kingdom changed 1 July 2021, meaning that to legally live, work, study, maintain access to public health care (NHS) and social benefits in the UK (e.g., retirement), EEA citizens must hold valid immigration status such as: citizenship, settled status, pre-settled status or a visa.

Applications to apply for settled status were introduced in March 2019 when the UK Government introduced The Settlement Status Program for EU citizens residing in the UK, with a deadline of the 30 June 2021, before the immigration status changed on the 1 July 2021.

It is important to remember that EEA citizens living outside of UK can travel to the UK for short trips, business, conferences without settled or any formal status if they justify their arrival at the UK border.

Following these changes in UK laws, all UK employers must prevent illegal working and are obliged to check whether the employee has the right to legally stay legally and work in the UK.

Here are some GOV.UK website links for extra guidance and help to verify the status of an employee and their right to work:

• View a job applicant’s right to work details: https://www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work
• Check someone’s immigration status: https://www.gov.uk/check-immigration-status
• Right to work checks: employer guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/right-to-work-checks-employer-guidance

Every employee declared via payroll should provide their employer with a National Insurance Number (NI Number) as soon as possible. For more information regarding the application of National Insurance Number and general information visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number.

If you would like to discuss the wider changes brought by Brexit on your business, please get in touch on office@jdauman.co.uk or 02085 679 944.