Brexit: Changes for Short Term Travel & Longer Term Stays

As an employer or an employee, it is worth understanding how certain provisions on mobility in the new EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement will affect business activities.

There have been many difficulties associated with the pandemic, but one silver lining is that the suppression of movement across the UK and parts of Europe allows more time to understand any changes arising from the UK-EU Trade deal regarding business travel. 

ICAEW has put together links and resources to flag some of these changes to businesses. With all of the below, employers and employees are urged to seek expert advice, as there are other immigration considerations to understand, along with obligations such as social security.

Short-term travel

Previously, freedom of movement between the UK and the EU meant there was a limited process required for short-term business visits, aside from booking plane tickets and accommodation. 

In many instances, the only change is to be sure you do not exceed the ‘90 days in any 180-day’ period limit and businesses will need to have a method to track this. Business meetings, for example, are allowed without a visa, as are attending conferences, but not directly selling to the public. As with any business travel, it pays to ensure you have your activity, accommodation and return flight details to hand to ensure any questions can be answered with ease, along with the standard six months on your passport and adequate travel and medical insurance.

What about longer-term stays?

The deal has not, as far as we know, changed any of the proposed plans regarding settled status. That is, if you are an EU national living in the UK on 31 December, you can apply for settled status. More details can be found here. 

For UK nationals currently living in the EU, information can be found here, with guidance being given on a country-by-country basis. Both scenarios will have deadlines as to when this must be done by, so if this applies to you then check this as soon as possible.

Those looking to move to the UK after 31 December will need to go through the points-based immigration system, as EU citizens will be treated the same as non-EU citizens. More details can be found here. For UK nationals looking to move to the EU, again this is done on a country-by-country basis and you will need to check the relevant country embassy website.

If you are in an EU country with a visa or permit, your stay will apparently not count towards the 90-day visa-free limit as mentioned above.

Source: ICAEW. Click here to read the full article.