Remote working – will this be the new normal, even after COVID-19?

The U.K. Government continues to work to attract top talent from around the world in the wake of Brexit, and a recent change to the Global Talent Visa is the latest of these initiatives. This new scheme was launched on February 20, 2020, and it was designed to attract leaders in academia or research; arts and culture; and digital technology. The U.K. government recently revised the application requirements to streamline this route, making this a fast-track visa that will appeal most to award-winning individuals seeking an expedited process.

U.K. universities have been hit hard by the pandemic. But universities recently received some good news when the U.K. confirmed that the long-awaited graduate visa will launch in July 2021. This visa will enable international students to live and work in the U.K. for up to two years after graduating.

Those contemplating travel to the U.K. should be cognizant of new border policies and restrictions implemented earlier this month. In this episode, Faegre Drinker’s Hodon Anastasi answers questions regarding the U.K. government’s latest actions concerning COVID-19.

After years of negotiation and preparation, free movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union will end from 31 December 2020. In this episode, Faegre Drinker’s Hodon Anastasi provides a high-level overview of how post-Brexit immigration control policies will impact those accustomed to traveling between the U.K. and the European Economic Area (EEA).

Today we will be discussing remote working for sponsored migrants. Some people, like me, have taken this opportunity to work remotely outside of the U.K. — but this sort of arrangement would be difficult for a Tier 2 visa holder. In fact, even long-term remote working from inside the U.K. can create a problem for Tier 2 visa holders.

For most people, the EU Settlement Scheme has largely lived up to the U.K. government’s promise of being generous and straightforward, but confusion over permitted absences is likely to cause some trouble. In particular, EU nationals who hold Pre-settled Status should be aware of the absence rules, particularly if they want to remain in the U.K. and plan to apply for Settled Status after five years.

On 13 July, the U.K. government released further details about the U.K.’s future immigration system, which will apply to EU and non-EU nationals from January 2021. Under normal circumstances, such a significant change would be top of mind for companies operating in the U.K., but it has slipped off the business world’s radar as leaders grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic challenges.

Recent U.K. government statements have confirmed what many have suspected for some time: the post-January 2021 immigration system will be predicated on a reworked version of the Tier 2 sponsorship route. In the first episode of our new Faegre Drinker Immigration Law Podcast, we take a close look at the Tier 2 sponsorship application process and explain why U.K. employers planning to hire foreign nationals in 2021 should apply for a Sponsor Licence before the immigration system changes take effect.