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Many EU nationals were refused entry to the UK in December 2020, due to border closures.
As many clients are aware, the United Kingdom left the European Union in January 2020. Following this, the UK Government instituted a post-Brexit transition and grace period. This transition allowed EU nationals to move freely into the UK for settlement purposes until 31 December 2020.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the UK immigration landscape. Many South African citizens, who also hold EU passports, could not gain entry into the UK in December 2020. This refusal came about after the UK announced the closure of their borders, specifically to travellers travelling from South Africa. The border closure to South Africans was due to the discovery of new strains of Covid-19.
This border closure’s effects were devastating to many travellers hoping to settle in the UK before 31 December 2020. Many travellers sold their houses, took their children out of school and resigned from their jobs. They have basically uprooted their lives for a new beginning in the UK. Only to be disappointed.
Unfortunately, and despite high hopes for the end of 2020 deadline to be extended, it seems like these travellers have missed their chances at gaining five-year residencies in the UK.
How Breytenbachs can help you
Breytenbachs are aware of the disappointment many South Africans, as they could not settle in the UK by the EU Settlement Scheme cut-off date.
We are delighted to inform clients that we have several clients who now have pre-settled status for EU citizens. The status was obtained for those who did not manage to settle in the UK by the Brexit deadline of 31 December 2020.
EU citizens who were refused entry to the UK in December 2020, due to border closures, can contact Breytenbachs.
We have a dedicated and senior team of immigration consultants dealing with the EU Settlement Scheme, and related issues. Please follow this link for our contact details.
