The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 with a deal in place, as the European Union Withdrawal Act was passed by parliament and backed by the leaders of the 27 EU countries. The transition period until 31 December 2020 has now also passed, so while the rights of those already in the UK before the end of 2020 will not change, Europeans coming to the UK for the first time from 1 January 2021 onwards will need to enter under the correct UK visa route for their planned work or other activities.
Immigration update: Right to work rules for Europeans have changed
The right to work rules changed on 1 July 2021. New employees/casuals who are EU/EEA citizens will need to show that they either have Pre-Settled or Settled status, a UK visa, or Indefinite Leave to Remain (instead of just their passport) to evidence they have the RTW in the UK before starting work. Showing just a passport is now only acceptable for British and Irish nationals.
Retrospective checks are not required for EU/EEA citizens employed prior to 1 July 2021, but casuals starting a new engagement may need to meet the new RTW rules if they have been engaged before but have then had a significant gap since their last engagement.
Immigration update: The 30 June 2021 deadline to apply for Pre-Settled or Settled status has passed
The EU Settlement Scheme opened fully on 30 March 2019 and Europeans and their family members should have applied for Pre-Settled or Settled status before the 30 June 2021 deadline. If they have reasonable grounds for missing this deadline, however, they may be able to submit a late application.
Anyone within the collegiate University who has missed the deadline to apply should contact either james.baker@admin.ox.ac.uk or tim.currie@admin.ox.ac.uk in the Staff Immigration Team for advice as soon as possible.
We are here to help
Ever since the EU referendum result was announced, the University has been clear that European staff are greatly valued members of the Oxford community. It is committed to ensuring that European colleagues and their family who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 keep the rights and freedoms they enjoyed before this date.
The Staff Immigration Team (SIT) are here to assist anyone within the collegiate University with queries about their own status as a European and that of their family members, or about the status of European staff, and the applications they may wish to make.
If you wish to discuss your status or have questions about the EU Settlement Scheme, please contact either james.baker@admin.ox.ac.uk or tim.currie@admin.ox.ac.uk in the Staff Immigration Team.
