The government on 4 September 2019 published plans for a no deal Brexit (currently scheduled for 31 October 2019), but what does this actually mean?
The stated intent is to change border controls for everyone entering the UK. This is viewed as a way of deterring serious criminals to enter the UK and is accompanied by increased measures to deport the most serious criminals.
For most UK residents, the most obvious change is the switch to a blue passport and when returning from holiday they will no longer see the ‘blue channel’ (the one EU citizens use) and will have to choose either the ‘red channel’ (something to declare) or ‘green channel’ (nothing to declare).
For non-UK EU citizens, different rules apply for those arriving pre and post Brexit. It should be noted that these changes have no impact on Irish citizens (either single or dual citizenship).
Impact on Pre-Brexit EU Citizens
EU citizens and their families have until at least 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme. The Home Office confirmed that over 1 million people had been granted status through the Scheme.
Impact on Post-Brexit EU Citizens
EU citizens will still be able to come to the UK for visits or short trips. If they want to day beyond 31 December 2020, they will be able to apply for Euro TLR. Applications for this scheme will open after the UK leaves the EU. This will involve an online process incorporating identity, security and criminality checks. A successful applicant will receive a digital status for three years allowing them to live and work. This is only a temporary status and if a EU citizen wish to stay in the UK after it expires will need to make a further application under a new points-based immigration system.
It should also be noted, that until 2021, employers and landlords will not have to check if someone is a EU citizens who arrived before or after Brexit.
For more information please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-immigration-plans-for-no-deal-brexit