All nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who are resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, including ITT trainees, should apply now to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) – if their application is successful then this will allow them to continue living, working and studying in the UK after 30 June 2021. If international trainees currently living in the UK are returning to their home country before the end of the year for a short visit, then they could apply to the EUSS before they leave the UK or after they return in the new year – the deadline is 30 June 2021.
All overseas nationals who arrive in the UK on or after 1 January 2021, including EEA and Swiss nationals, will come under the new points-based immigration system. International students (i.e. trainees on unsalaried ITT courses) who arrive in the UK from this date will need to apply to the new Student visa route before they come; this includes those who have undertaken their course remotely in autumn 2020. Those who are on a Student visa will need to be sponsored by their ITT provider, which must be a Home Office licensed Student sponsor. State-funded schools cannot sponsor Student visas, but some international students may be eligible for alternative visas.
Further guidance is available about the new immigration system, including more information about how to become a visa sponsor and visa routes which do not require a sponsor, as well as visa options for trainees on salaried ITT courses. There is: