Immigration rules update
Legislation was laid in Parliament on 22 October, which sets out a number of changes to the Immigration Rules.
These changes provide the foundation for the UK’s new Points-Based Immigration System, which will apply from 1 January 2021, including to newly arriving EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens (except Irish nationals). These changes build upon the measures already outlined in the policy statements published by the Government in February and July 2020.
The new Student Route and Child Student route are now live. Further routes, including the Skilled Worker Route, will open between 1 December 2020 and 1 January 2021.
Guidelines for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens arriving in the UK on or before 31 December who wish to work, study or visit the UK should not apply through the Points-Based Immigration System. If they want to stay in the UK after 30 June 2021 they should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme upon arrival in the UK.
The Government has created a range of introductory guides for those planning to enter the UK from 1 January 2021 from the EU, EEA and Switzerland. They have also created individual country pages on GOV.UK with translated information available in 25 other languages. These pages will be updated in the coming weeks with further guidance.
More information can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement and in the full version of the Immigration Rules.