Deadline approaching for EU Settlement Scheme applications
The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021
If your association employs any EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK on, or before, 31 December 2020, they should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Applications are free, and the deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.
These citizens can use an online service to view their immigration status and to prove their status to others such as employers. However, employers and landlords can continue to accept EU citizens’ passports and identity cards as evidence of their immigration status until 30 June 2021.
Guidance for employers is available on carrying out right to work checks on EU citizens and their family members in the UK.
In terms of any future recruitment, the UK has now implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. Anyone you want to hire from outside the UK, excluding Irish citizens, will need to apply for permission in advance.
You now need a sponsor licence to hire most eligible employees from outside the UK. Before applying to be a sponsor, you should check that the people you want to hire will meet the requirements for coming to the UK for work.
Under the points-based immigration system, anyone coming to the UK for work must meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points. Visas are then awarded to those who gain enough points.
This represents a significant change for employers recruiting from outside the UK, and further details can be found here.
The ‘Stay in Scotland’ toolkit
A toolkit produced by the Scottish Government provides a range of materials for employers and EU citizens. It includes information on the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme, details of the application process and requirements, links to other resources and some practical suggestions about how employers can support their EU employees in the workplace. You can download the contents of the toolkit via the Scottish Government’s website.
Funding was also committed to allow Citizens Advice Scotland to operate a free national helpline as part of the advice and support service. You can receive information, advice and support by calling the helpline on 0800 916 9847.
The toolkit provides a range of materials for employers and EU citizens. It includes information on the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme, details of the application process and requirements, links to other resources and some practical suggestions about how employers can support their EU employees in the workplace. It can be found here.
If any SFHA members are experiencing any issues in relation to Brexit, they can contact Shona Mitchell at smitchell@sfha.co.uk