Work restrictions on A8 nationals come to an end

As of 1 May 2011, A8 nationals are now permitted to work in the UK without restriction. The Worker Registration Scheme for nationals of those countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 is no longer in operation and employers can employ those people without any need for immigration permission.

The Worker Registration Scheme covered nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. It required those employed in the UK to register with the UK Border Agency within one month of the start of their employment. It did not cover self-employment.

Those nationals now have unlimited access to the UK labour market, in the same way as other EU nationals, so employers do not need to make any immigration applications in relation to employing them.

For more information please contact: Nicolas Rollason at nrollason@kingsleynapley.co.uk or on +44 (0)20 7814 1276.