This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Read our cookie policy

Brexit Advice

The UK has left the European Union and this is known as Brexit. From 1 January 2021, the rights of EU nationals living in the UK have changed, and our advice pages have now been changed to reflect the changes in legislation.

We've published new advice and updated existing pages to help answer your questions about Brexit, your options and rights.  Previous updates from the transition period are below.

Updated on 1st June 2020

Clarifications made to the advice and detail on the page as UK Government have withdrawn previous advice pages. Detailed advice has been updated, but as always please contact us if you need advice or support for your current situation.

The UK left the EU on 31st January 2020. All the dates on our webpages note the current situation and reflect the current deadlines in place.  If further changes occur we will update the advice available.

Update on 28th October 2019

Based on the negotiation process to date, the EU and UK have, this morning, agreed a further delay to Brexit until 31st January 2020.  The UK can leave the EU earlier than this date, if a withdrawal agreement has been ratified by MPs.  The dates on our website reflect a leave date of 31st January 2020, but this may change if the UK chooses to leave the EU earlier than this date.

Update on 12th April 2019

Based on the negotiation process to date, the EU and UK have agreed a further delay to Brexit until 31st October 2019.  The UK can leave the EU earlier than this date, if a withdrawal agreement has been ratified by MPs.  The dates on our website reflect a leave date of 31st October 2019, but this may change if the UK chooses to leave the EU earlier than this date.

Update on 29th March 2019

Based on a vote today in the UK Parliament, the current EU withdrawal agreement was rejected.  This means that in UK Law the date of Brexit is now set as the 12th April 2019.  We will provide further advice and update our pages after the 1st April once the Government releases further information on the routes ahead.

Update on 25th March 2019

Based on recent negotiations, EU leaders have agreed to let the UK postpone its exit from the EU. The UK still plans to leave the EU on the 29th March 2019, unless one of the following outcomes is agreed:

If the UK Government accept the currently negotiated UK Exit deal, then the proposed new Exit Date for the UK will be 22nd May 2019. If this date is agreed, we will update the advice on our Brexit pages and our EU Settlement Scheme pages, to ensure you have the correct legal advice for the situation.

If the UK Government do not accept the currently negotiated UK Exit deal, then the proposed new Exit Date for the UK will be 12th April 2019. Again, if this is the agreed route for Brexit, we will update our advice and EU Settlement Scheme pages with correct and up to date advice.

It is important to note, that at this time the UK Government has not changed any of the legislation around the EU Settlement Scheme, although there are proposed changes due to be enacted on the 7th April 2019.  If these changes come into effect we will updated our advice accordingly.

Original Text from 28.02.19

Following a referendum in June 2016, the UK is currently in the process of negotiating an exit from the EU.  The UK plans to leave the EU on the 29th March 2019, when a 21-month transition period will start, to help smooth the UK’s proposed exit from the EU.

The University is fully committed to supporting every student who is affected by Brexit, and the advice below will be regularly updated by the University Immigration and International Student Advice team as soon as decisions by the UK Government are made.

There are currently 4 potential outcomes to the negotiations between the UK and the EU. They are;

  • No Deal Brexit,
  • A Brexit with the currently negotiated Withdrawal Agreement,
  • A Brexit with a different Withdrawal Agreement and
  • The UK rescinding or putting a pause on Article 50 and choosing not to leave the EU at this time.

The advice on this page will only focus on advice surrounding a no deal Brexit and a Brexit based on the currently negotiated Withdrawal Agreement.  This may change in the future if the UK Government publish further guidance on the other options.

We have also published a Glossary of Brexit Terms you may find useful.

The UK Government has made it clear that the Common Travel Area (CTA) and the rights between the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies will not be affected by the UK leaving the EU.

Irish and British Citizens will continue to have free travel within the CTA without the need for immigration control or residence / work permits.

Irish citizens do not need to obtain settled status in the UK.

Last Updated 07.01.21

Students who are already in the UK, and who wish to stay in the UK are advised to speak with the Immigration and International Student Advice team, after reading the below, for individual advice on their personal situation.

Those who entered the UK before 11pm on 31st December 2020 will be eligible to apply for the current EU Settlement scheme by the 30th June 2021, and the IISA team is offering individual appointments to assist with these applications, if you would like University support and guidance.

If you choose to travel outside of the UK after the 31st December 2020, but before you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to carry proof of residency in the UK when you return. We would advise that, in addition to a student status letter, you carry one of the following documents:

  • Proof of entry to the UK before 31st December 2020 i.e. flight tickets – this is the best form of proof you can have. Alternatively
  • Tenancy Agreement dated before 31st December 2020

You can find guidance on how to make your application on our dedicated EU Settlement Scheme Application Page. Appointment booking information is also available on that page.

Last Updated 07.01.21

The UK Government has noted that from the 1st January 2021 it expects all new entrants to the UK to get the correct immigration permission before travelling to the UK if they intend to live, work or study.

Students will need to obtain either a 6 month visitor visa for short exchanges or a Student Visa for full time study.

For EU applicants who have a chipped passport, application is through an app on a phone.  The main application form will automatically divide according to your answers and take you to the correct links. 

The University has 3 fully trained and regulated immigration advisers who can assist with your applications or any queries you have. You can contact the team for advice and support.

 

Please see our Advice on the EU Settlement Scheme Page for further information on eligibility, applying and the rights associated with the EU Settlement Scheme.

UKCISA, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, has published extensive guidance on Brexit, the current rights of EEA and Swiss Nationals and their families, and the UK's proposed Immigration routes for after Brexit. You can access the advice on the UKCISA website.

The AIRE Centre is a specialist charity whose mission is to promote awareness of European law rights and assist marginalised individuals and those in vulnerable circumstances to assert those rights. The IISA team may refer you to this charity if you have a complex case or need specialist advice.