The UK and EU entered into the Trade and Cooperation Agreement last week, averting a no deal Brexit. The EU will apply the agreement provisionally from January 1, pending ratification, so that the European Parliament can consider the agreement before the EU ratifies it fully. This means the EU will have the opportunity to review whether the UK’s legislation fully implements the agreement.

 

UK and EU citizens who established EU free movement rights before December 31, 2020 retain them under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement if they have registered their settled status by June 30, 2021.

 

Visas may be required for travel between the UK and EU for those who have not established EU free movement rights. However, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for visa-free short-term business trips of up to 90 days in any 180 period, if they fall within a limited list of permitted activities.

 

Our UK partner, Lewis Silkin, has authored an alert that provides more specifics on the impact to immigration.

 

We are continuing to monitor this situation and will provide updates as they become available.