The right to travel and settle in the UK freely for European citizens will end on 31st October in case of leaving the country of the European Union without an agreement
The right to travel and settle in the UK freely for European citizens will end on 31st October in case of leaving the country of the European Union without an agreement, said Monday 19th August by the government. A new immigration system is in preparation.
The government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday 19th August 2019 that they want to put “immediately”, an end to the free movement of people in case of Brexit without agreement on October 31st , a hardening of position compared to the previous government.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May, succeeded by Boris Johnson on July 24th , provided for a “transition period” even in the absence of a divorce agreement with the EU, allowing European citizens to travel to the UK, to work or study there without special paperwork.
A new immigration system planned
“ The free movement as it currently stands will end on October 31st when the UK leaves the EU,” said a spokeswoman for 10 Downing Street.
“For example, we will immediately introduce more stringent crime rules for people entering the UK,” she added, adding that other immediate changes for a new system were “in the process of being developed”. She recalled that Boris Johnson wanted to introduce a points system, modelled on Australia.
The 3 million, an association defending the interests of some 3.6 million European citizens residing in the United Kingdom, took offence at the announcement. “It’s irresponsible and it opens the door to widespread discrimination,” she tweeted.
Visas issued in accelerated
According to the government, by the end of July, more than one million Europeans had obtained “permanent resident” status to continue living in the country after Brexit.
In early August, the Prime Minister announced a plan to issue accelerated visas to attract the “best brains” and allow the UK to “continue to be a scientific superpower” after Brexit. He also promised to protect the rights of European citizens settled in the United Kingdom to continue to live in the country, even in case of “no deal”.
The free movement of persons enables European citizens to move and reside freely within the EU countries. It is one of the four fundamental freedoms of the single market, with the free movement of capital, goods and services.
