European Union Settlement Scheme and time spent outside the UK – AKA When Brexit met COVID-19
The UK Home Office published guidance today on the EU Settlement Scheme, which confirms how absences will be treated for those employees who have had to return home or were home when COVID-19 hit, and have spent more than 6 months outside of the UK this year.
This includes a reminder that if you need to re-start your period of qualifying residence, you must return to the UK before 31 December 2020.
Employers, if you have staff in this position who may have been working remotely, please make sure they are getting up to date immigration advice asap to protect their position and also their right to work for you in the UK without requiring a visa in future.
For further information, use the links below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-european-economic-area-regulations-2016-guidance-for-applicants
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-eu-settlement-scheme-guidance-for-applicants