
Country / Territory
As a result of the public vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, free movement to the United Kingdom from the European Union and vice versa will likely end, although the separation and a related Withdrawal Agreement will likely take at least two years.
Likely Changes Resulting From the Vote
Instead of the current free travel arrangement between the United Kingdom and European Union, a registration scheme may be established to evidence lawful status of EU nationals in the United Kingdom.
The current Points Based System will likely be replaced with an Australian-style Points Based System. Irish nationals are likely to be exempt from any such scheme, given the historical ties between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Free movement arrangements between the United Kingdom and the European Union are likely to end. Employers will need to consider the implications of seeking visa and work rights for EU nationals, which could mean extensive application processes and costs.
Details on Fragomen London’s EU Referendum webinar, which will discuss the immigration, tax and employment law implications of this vote, will be provided to clients.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Country / Territory
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