After months of uncertainty, the re-election of a Conservative government with an increased majority in December has brought clarity to the confusion over Brexit. The United Kingdom will leave the European Union by January 31 2020 after legislation passed the British parliament in late December.
Negotiations will now begin with the European Union about the future state of relationship including on trade and immigration. The British government has already signalled sweeping changes to immigration law which will see a new policy to prioritise talent replacing the ‘open door’ immigration for EU citizens which has long been a major issue for many in Britain.
Brexit for Ukrainians - what may it bring?
These changes to immigration policy will have some positive effect for Ukrainians. Due to Brexit - important changes await those citizens of Ukraine, who are EEA family members of EU citizens living in the UK.
First of all, the registration system for permanent residence of EU citizens living in the UK has already been launched. How will this procedure affect citizens of Ukraine who are family members of those EU citizens in the UK? Wives of the EU citizens are now undergoing a simplified procedure to apply for a British EEA Family Permit visa in Ukraine: without passing an English IELTS test, a medical tuberculosis test, and without paying an expensive consular fees.
For comparison, to apply for a similar immigration Spouse visa, wives of UK citizens need to pass these tests and also pay a consular fee of £ 1523 and a medical insurance fee of £ 1000.
After the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, the procedure for reunification of family will be changed, and now it is only a matter of time before the spouses and children of EU citizens will be equated with family members of UK citizens and will have to pay all the fees mentioned above and pass the tests.
Brexit's transition period guarantees EU citizens to ensure a smooth adaptation process and time frame for at least the coming year 2020. Already, the scheme for applying for a temporary residence permit for those who have lived in England for over 5 years, and a temporary pre-settled status for those Europeans who have lived less than five years, are fully launched. Same mild transition period awaits their family members (wives, children) who plan to immigrate to Britain to her husband in 2020 without passing additional tests and consular fees.
What changes are there for the Ukainian students in the UK?
With the new majority coming to power, great opportunities await foreign students studying in UK universities and colleges with a TIER 4 student visa. The new parliament was formed on the basis of the election 12/12/2019, it has already passed a law that will allow foreign students to extend their term stay in the UK for 2 years!
Ukrainian students studying in the United Kingdom can now benefit from a new visa regime which allows graduates to prolong their stay and work for two years following graduation from a British institution.
The initiative, introduced in September 2019, is the latest announcement set to favour those who wish to continue life in the United Kingdom after their studies. The British government recognises the value new graduates bring to the economy. This new study-work programme opens new opportunities for graduates to secure long-term employment and sponsorship as a pathway to permanent employment and permanent residency.
Such privileges did not exist earlier in the history of the United Kingdom, and students were supposed to return back to their homeland in the nearest month after graduation. Now, a new two-year visa with the right to work after graduation in Britain expands the possibilities of talented foreign students to build a successful career in the UK if the student has found a job that meets all the criteria, as announced on the official website of the British government.
How new UK immigration system opens the door for Ukrainians
A new points-based system to be introduced by the newly re-elected Conservative government promises to open new opportunities for foreigners including Ukrainians who wish to live and work in the United Kingdom.
Now talented Ukrainians will have a much better chance of getting a visa to Britain with the right to work, since EU citizens after Brexit will have to apply for visas on an equal basis with all the other nationalities. Accordingly, competition in employment will be easier. In addition, in the near future, the new government promises to launch a new points-based system - a system of selection of highly qualified immigrants similar to the Australian one, which will open the borders for many specialists, especially in the scientific, engineering, and other narrowly focused areas and specialties. Of course, you will need to be fluent in English and have advantages in experience at yourfield of expertise and professional skills, but this is a huge chance for many citizens of Ukraine who previously could not count on such a chance of immigration based on employment.
Modelled on the Australian immigration system, the new UK system will prioritise immigrants with experience in industries where there is a high demand for skilled people and low number of domestic works to fill the roles. The Australian system also favours applicants seeking to settle outside the major metropolitan areas.
Under the system applicants are likely to be awarded points based on their personal and professional status including academic and technical education, foreign language skills and employment history. The new settlement scheme will prioritise visas for workers in high demand categories, most likely to be in medical professions, heavy industry, science and engineering, popular with Ukrainians.
Ukrainans will no longer find themselves unfairly discriminated against. The new UK service will be structured to attract the best people. Britain is rolling out the red carpet and saying we’re open for business. If you’re hard working, talented, and in particular a worker in one of the high priority industries, this is your chance!
After Brexit the United Kingdom will no longer automatically grant residency rights to European Union citizens. This will ‘level the playing field’ and mean that applicants from other countries, such as Ukraine, will now have equal chance to secure a visa.
For Ukrainians seeking more information on applying for a visa to travel to the UK, for visit, business, study or spouse purposes, please contact Prosto Visa for confidential professional advice.
When Brexit started - back to the begining and a little bit of the historical background:
23 of June 2016 there was a referendum in the UK, and so finally the UK decided to leave after 50x50 debates and public opinions.
What does Brexit mean?
This is an abbriviation of 2 words: Br + exit = Britain + Exit. The word Brexit they've strarted using for any context related to the UK leaving EU.
Short summary of the events chronology: according to a preliminary poll, the votes “for” and “against” Britain’s exit from the EU were virtually evenly distributed. We remind you that in the referendum the right to vote was given to the citizens of Great Britain, Ireland, even those citizens of Britain who have lived abroad for no more than 15 years, members of the House of Lords and UK citizens living in Gibraltar.
The first Brexit results began to appear already on the night of 24 June 2016. These results, which were calculated in 8 constituencies, spoke about the leadership of supporters of the UK Exit from the EU. According to first estimates, about 47% voted for Britain membership to stay in the European Union, but more than 53% voted against. A little later, the situation changed. Opponents and supporters of the UK membership in the EU were on par. The voices were distributed equally. However, after the counting of votes in more than half of the areas, supporters of the break with the European Union again came first. The tension did not leave, until the end it was not clear who would win the referendum.
The official results of the referendum by Friday morning became clear: the British chose their own path of growth. Votes to leave the EU: 52%, votes to stay in the EU: 48%. Decision made - Brexit to be. British Prime Minister David Kemeron, who supported Britain’s membership in the European Union, announced that he is resigning. And so EU exit continued to be lead by a new Prime Minister.
A sharp drop of the national currency pound and panic in the economy
Against the backdrop of the current situation in Britain, the pound fell sharply, which was predicted in advance. By the morning of June 24 2016, the British pound dropped to $ 1.35 (the pound fell by about -9% compared to the dollar). Residents of "foggy Albion" were very surprised, since the pound has been considered one of the most stable currencies for many decades. This phenomenon can be considered the first unofficial consequence of Britain leaving the EU.
The market staggered. Morgan Stanley told the BBC that they had already begun the process of transferring 2,000 investment bank employees from offices based in London to Dublin or Frankfurt.
EU reaction
At this time, the European Council began setting a date for negotiations to discuss the UK exit process and the subsequent algorithm of actions of the countries of the European Union. The results of the referendum in the UK caused a wave of controversial discussions in Europe, including among residents of Britain, surprisingly.
Reasons why the United Kingdom categorically decided to leave the European Union
Back in 1973, UK membership in the European Union was a big question and raised doubts about the benefits being in EU from the very begining when Britain joind EU. These doubts arose immediately after Great Britain joined the European Economic Community.
In 2015, the issue of British membership and if they wanted to remain in the EU depended on negotiations with the Union, as The UK wanted to achieve changes and a more favorable membership environment for its country and citizens but on the other hand EU didnt want to make more loyal rules for the UK exceptionally. Therefore, immediately after the May 2015 elections, the British Prime Minister announced the start of negotiations with the European Union and the revision of the rules for UK membership in the EU.
The main issues that were submitted by Great Britain for discussion
Change in migration law
Refusal from further political rapprochement between Great Britain and the EU
These issues were also part United Kingdom conditions if considering remaining in the EU. Continuing the negotiation process in November 2015, the UK government sent an official open letter to the EU representative Donald Tisk, outlining the main goals, divided into four blocks, which the UK wanted to achieve as a result of negotiations:
Free trade in the global market, and not just in the EU zone.
Reducing the level of bureaucracy and business regulation, increasing the EU competitiveness
Respect for the country's sovereignty and desire to abandon the further close construction of a political union. Since the UK economy is the 5th largest in the world, the removal of restrictions by the European Union.
Immigration control. Introduction of the rule: immigrants who come to the UK from EU countries must work for at least 4 years in the UK to receive benefits and social housing. Termination of the rule by which child benefits are sent abroad. Also the opportunity to come to the WB of citizens from all over the world, removing restrictions.
At a meeting of the European Council in December 2015, leaders of the countries of the European Union member states discussed the requirements of the United Kingdom that were passed. A compromise was reached on three of the four UK goals. For the fourth UK goal, the Council could not reach an agreement, since in the opinion of most representatives of the EU countries, the problem of emigration limitation cannot be solved, since this violates the right to freedom of movement in the EU, which is one of the main ideas of the European Union.
As a result, in February 2016, a compromise was reached between the European Union and Great Britain on all the requirements put forward, after which the British Prime Minister announced a planned referendum at which everyone who agrees or disagrees can express his opinion by voting for the United Kingdom to leave the EU or for maintaining UK membership in the EU.
What will be the consequences of Britain's exit from the EU
According to experts, the UK Brexit will lead the country to both good and bad consequences:
The most tangible British exit from the EU will be transferred to areas such as foreign direct investments and migration to the British labor market.
The weakening of partnership with EU countries is one of the consequences too. The EU used to be Britain’s main trading partner, and after the country leaves the EU, the UK will have to enter into a new trade agreements with 27 EU members in order to be able to sell goods from the UK to Europe, but this may not be on such favorable terms for Britain.
Tighter migration rules. On the other hand, as a positive factor, Britain will be able to impose restrictions on immigrants, including social benefits.
Surveys of the UK population showed that opinions are still debatable. But now the decision is mad and it's time for the next steps to prepare a great deal for both UK and EU and to implement it in favour of all...
PROSTO VISA, Kiev Ukraine