After the deal is done, what now and what next?

The advent of a new year often brings major changes to many people’s lives, but rarely on the scale seen in Brexit Britain.

Much has been promised by Leave supporters since their referendum victory four and a half years ago. Here, China Daily takes a look at the impact.

Travel:

Once the pandemic is under control globally, with more international travel allowed, clear differences will become apparent.

Amid much fanfare, the freedom of EU citizens to move to the UK was abolished last year, but this is a “two-way street”, so Britons will also find travel to the EU less straightforward. Passports used for such travel, except to Ireland, will need a minimum of six months’ validity and there are limits on visa-free travel to Schengen Area countries.

The withdrawal agreement contains provisions protecting the rights of UK citizens resident in the EU, but the automatic right to study, work, live or retire there has gone.

Taking a pet to the EU from the UK now requires an animal health certificate, while the end to automatic free roaming could leave some travelers with unexpectedly large phone bills when they return home.

Immigration:

The revised immigration procedure sees the introduction of new types of visa, with costs ranging from 348 pounds ($472) for a student visa to more than 1,400 pounds for those for skilled workers. Applicants must also pay a health surcharge of more than 600 pounds a year, with the exception of healthcare workers.

Free movement:

Goods will continue to move freely, but people cannot. Sectors such as the arts, along with creative industries like fashion, which depend heavily on free movement, have warned the changes will make the UK a less attractive destination for those working in these fields.

Trade:

The situation is complex. Although the deal avoided the imposition of tariffs, the UK’s new customs procedure for goods arriving from the EU is expected to slow imports. William Bain, policy adviser Europe and international for the British Retail Consortium, told the BBC it could cause “the biggest imposition of red tape that businesses have had to deal with in 50 years”.

The EU has adopted these checks immediately, but the UK will delay them for six months.

Due to the sensitivity of the border with the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland has remained in the EU customs union, unlike England, Scotland and Wales. This has effectively put a border down the Irish Sea, resulting in an immediate impact on supplies to shops in Northern Ireland.

Leaving the EU means the UK is no longer part of the numerous international trade agreements shared by member states, and is free to negotiate its own deals.

Brexit supporters say this gives the country more freedom, but opponents have warned of the need to remain on friendly terms with the EU, which has been a huge export market for the UK for many years.

However, anyone thinking that concluding the Brexit process means an end to hearing about the issue is mistaken.

No decisions have yet been taken on the future of the financial services sector or on data sharing, while after being the subject of intense debate, the agreement on fisheries rights is only valid for five and a half years.

Far from being over, Brexit will continue to be a controversial issue for years to come.