Great Britain decided to leave the European Union on January 31, 2020. Many people will remember this date for a very long time. For many Brits who voted in a special referendum in the UK, Brexit was the only way the country could remain strong and independent. However, there was also a large group of people who did not want to leave the structure of the European Union, arguing that it was not the best time. The British, however, made a decision and, by the majority of votes, Great Britain has no longer been in the European Union for over two years. While this is not a big change for UK citizens themselves, there may be reasons to worry about foreigners in the UK. We examined the situation of Polish workers after Brexit.
What happens to Polish workers after Brexit?
Of course, a division should be made between employees from foreign countries who have been working in the UK for a long time and employees who are just starting their adventure with this country. If foreigners have been working in the UK for a long time, they are required to apply for resident status. Thus, Poles who wanted to continue to live and work in Great Britain after Brexit should have obtained settled status by June 30, 2021. However, it should be remembered that only people who have resided in Great Britain before December 31, 2020 could apply for this status.
It should also be remembered that it is not planned to issue a document confirming the status of settled status. Thus, all people who have settled status will be able to enter the UK on the basis of a passport or ID card until December 31, 2025. Polish workers in the UK need not worry, because if the procedure to become resident is not completed, they may continue to legally live and work in Great Britain. However, what to do in the case of people who just want to start working in the UK?
How to employ Polish workers after Brexit?
Many employers want to hire foreigners, but are afraid of the related procedures. For many Polish workers, Brexit is an insurmountable situation and they are afraid of many documents related to the employment of such workers. It is worth remembering that Brexit for Polish workers is a feasible situation, and there are really few formalities with the employment of foreigners from Poland.
Although Brexit is significantly affecting many areas in the UK, entrepreneurs do not have to be afraid of employing foreigners. In this case, the first thing to do was to ensure, that the chosen workers are legal residents.
Required documents for Polish workers after Brexit
To work in the UK, a Polish citizen must obtain a proper visa. It can be issued, provided that the employee first receives a special certificate from the future employer. During the visa procedure, a Polish citizen may be required to demonstrate knowledge of the English language. It should be also demonstrated, that workers have appropriate qualifications to occupy the proposed position. Additionally, the employee’s proposed salary will be taken into account. It is important that for a skilled worker visa, for a skilled worker, the minimum annual wage should be GBP 25,600.
Of course, all these requirements applied to employees who were posted to work after January 1, 2021. Where employees had previously worked in the UK, they could also apply for resident status as previously mentioned. However, it should be remembered that breaks in the stay of more than 6 months are not allowed. There are only special cases where it is possible to leave the country for a long time and thus the residence status will not be withdrawn from such foreigners.
It should be noted that the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Union is related to the end of application of Directive 96/71/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of December 16, 1996. The document concerns, among others, the posting of workers as part of the provision of services. Directive (EU) 2018/957 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 June 2018 amending Directive 96/71 / EC is also not applicable.
