Employing Workers from the New European Union States
10 new countries became members of the European Union on 1st May 2004. These countries are Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Cyprus and Malta. Nationals from all the above countries are free to take up employment in the United Kingdom. However workers from all of the above countries except Cyprus and Malta are required to register under the Worker Registration Scheme within one month of taking up employment.
Once a person has been working legally in the United Kingdom for a year without a break they have full rights of free movement within the European Union and can apply for a EAA residence permit confirming their status.
Nationals of Malta and Cyprus working in the UK can apply for a residence permit now and do not have to register under the Worker Registration Scheme.
If you have somebody who is subject to the Worker Registration Scheme then they need to complete the relevant application form and send it to the Home Office. Please see www.workingintheuk.gov.uk for further details of the Worker Registration Scheme and to obtain the application form.