To ask Her Majesty's Government what the maximum length of continuous visa-free stay for EU citizens in the UK will be from 1 January 2021; how soon after the end of any such visa-free stay period EU citizens who have stayed for the maximum period will be able to return to the UK to begin another visa-free stay; and what will be the legal basis for an agreement on such matters between the UK and EU.
Answered on
14 September 2020
The Government has already said that its intention is for citizens of the EEA and Switzerland to be able to continue to travel to the UK as a visitor for up to six months without needing a visa from the end of the transition period following the UK’s departure from the EU. This will be reflected in the UK’s immigration rules.
EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will not be required to remain outside the UK for a set period before returning to the UK as a visitor, however they should not seek to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits or make the UK their main home.
From 1 January 2021, unless they have rights under the EU exit separation agreements, EEA and Swiss nationals intending to come to the UK on a long-term basis to live, work or study will need to do so under the new, UK points-based immigration system which will be set out in our domestic law.