The Worker Registration Scheme was introduced on the 1st of May 2004 at a time when eight new countries joined the European Union. These eight countries are as follows:

• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia

If you are a citizen of any of these countries you will need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme to work for an employer in the UK for more than a month. This allows the UK to monitor where people are coming into the labour market and the type of work they are doing as well as the impact that this work is having on the economy. It should be noted however that if you are a citizen of Cyprus or Malta you don’t need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme.

In 2007 the countries of Bulgaria and Romania also become members of the EU but are not subject to register with the Worker Registration Scheme. Citizens of these countries do still however need a work permit in order to legally gain work within the UK.

After 12 months of working legally within the UK, without having a break in employment you will no longer have to register on the Worker Registration Scheme. After this time you can then obtain a residence permit, which confirms your right to live and work within the UK.

You are eligible to travel to the UK with your immediate family, i.e. spouse/partner and children, as long as they meet the immigration regulations. If your family is not an EEA/EU national then they must apply for an EEA family permit at the British Embassy within their home country before they travel to the UK.  

If you are an EEA/EU citizen and you would like more information about registering with the Worker Registration Scheme then contact Immigration Consult today and we will help you in every way that we can with your application process.

For more information call us today on 0161 975 5781.