Thinking about working in the UK?
Are you looking for information about coming to work in the UK? Maybe you want to know if you need a visa or work permit? Perhaps you want to improve your English skills to help with your job prospects.
If so, the following information should help to point you in the right direction. Click on the links below to go straight to the info you need.
I'm from the European Economic Area (EEA)
You can travel and work within the UK without permission if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
If you are from Switzerland you can also move and work freely in the UK.
I'm from a country that joined the EU in 2004
If you are from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and want to work for more than one month, you normally have to register with the Worker Registration Scheme but there are some exceptions.
What is the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS)?
The Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) has been set up in the UK to keep track of the number of workers coming into the UK from the new EU member states.
How does the WRS work?
You should register with the WRS within one month of starting work. You will be issued with a registration card and certificate. This normally takes about four weeks. After 12 months’ employment without a break, you no longer need to register and can work freely without permission.
How do I register with the WRS?
You need to complete the Worker Registration Scheme application form and send it back to the WRS centre address given on the form.
You will also need to supply:
- personal and employment details
- two recent passport-size photographs
- your current passport or national identity card
- a one-off payment of £90.
You can get a form by calling the WRS on 0114 207 4074 or by downloading it from the UK Border Agency website.
Each member country has its own version of the form so you can complete it in your own language.
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Do I need a National Insurance number?
Yes. You will need to give your employer your National Insurance (NI) number so they can make sure your NI contributions up to date. If you do not have an NI number, you can apply for one by contacting your nearest Department of Work and Pensions office if you are in England, Scotland or Wales, or the Department for Social Development if you live in Northern Ireland.
What if I change jobs?
If you change employers during the first 12 months, you must re-apply to the WRS for a new registration certificate but you do not have to make any further payments.
I’m self-employed
If you are self-employed and from any EEA state or Switzerland, you do not have to register with the WRS. However, when you arrive in the UK you must contact HM Revenue & Customs immediately to register for tax purposes. There is a penalty of £100 for late registration.
I’m from Romania or Bulgaria
You may need to apply for permission to work in the UK. You can get more advice about this from the UK Border Agency.
I’m from a country outside the EEA
You will need to have your skills assessed to see whether you are eligible to work in the UK. Check with the UK Border Agency for more information about the assessments.
You may also need a visa to work in the UK. You should contact the UK Border Agency visa section to check.
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Employers’ information
You must check that your employees or job applicants from other countries have permission to work in the UK. This includes checking documents, visas, identity cards or registration paperwork. Visit the UK Border Agency for more detailed information about your responsibilities.
Where can I get more information about the rules on working in the UK?
You can find full details about working in the UK, registration schemes and visas from the UK Border Agency.
Can I get help to improve my English?
Yes. Many organisations can help you with your English language. For example, there are training courses called English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Call the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900 to find an ESOL course near you.
Can I speak to someone in my own language?
We currently have eight language helplines offering help and advice in Farsi, French, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Somali, Sylheti and Urdu.
Will my qualifications be recognised in the UK?
You can find out what your qualifications from your home country are equivalent to in the UK by contacting the National Recognition Information Centre. UK employers may need this information for some jobs.
Where can I find out about job vacancies?
There are lots of different places to find job vacancies, including jobcentres, newspapers, the internet and recruitment agencies. Visit our section called Finding a Job for more advice.
If you are new to the UK and looking for a job, you could try our Interactive task: cultural differences. It shows you how to go about applying for work in this country.
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Where can I find more details about careers in the UK?
You can see what jobs and careers are like in the UK by reading our Job Profiles – there are almost 800 to choose from.
If you need advice or want to talk through your options with an adviser, call us free on 0800 100 900. We are here from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week. You can also email an adviser or request a call back at a time to suit you.
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