BULGARIA AND ROMANIA

The immigration rules that apply to Bulgarians and Romanians changed on January 1st 2007 when their countries joined the European Union (EU). Bulgarians and Romanians have the right to freely enter and live in the UK. They can enter the UK without obtaining prior entry clearance as visitors on production of their passport or ID cards.

Bulgarian and Romanian migrants can reside in the UK as students, self-employed, or be economically self-sufficient. These migrants may reside in the UK as long as they do not seek employment and are required to apply for EU Registration Certificates.

Students wishing to work twenty hours per week during their studies must obtain a registration certificate from the Department of Education and Skills.

Bulgarians and Romanians who want to be employed must get permission from the Home Office under the Worker Authorisation Scheme before starting any employment.
However are some exempt categories:
  • migrants who already had permission to work by means of a work permit or leave to remain such as Highly Skilled Migrants Programme, Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme and the Scottish Graduates Scheme on the date of Accession, 1st January 2007;

  • spouses of an EEA national or a British citizen;

  • students who intend to work less than 20 hours a week and are in possession of a registration certificate confirming that he or she has this restricted permission to take employment;

  • any Bulgarian or Romanian national who has been given permission to work, and has worked under that permission for a continuous basis of twelve months.









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