Documentation - Work Permits, Visas, National Insurance and The Workers' Registration Scheme

Since May 2004, workers from the EU have been able to work and live in the UK without needing a work permit or visa but they will need to register with the Worker’s Registration Scheme and obtain a National Insurance Number.

Whilst recruiting workers from Eastern Europe and other EU countries is a relatively straightforward process, there are certain issues that employers should be aware of.

Workers’ Registration Scheme

From 1st May 2004, most nationals of the new EU member states (except Cyprus and Malta) who wish to work for more than one month for an employer in the UK need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme.

Within 30 days of your new member of staff commencing employment in the UK, they must register with the Home Office under the Workers’ Registration Scheme.

This is the responsibility of the new member of staff, but as their employer you must hold a copy of the completed application form on file, until the Home Office notifies you that they have been registered.

For more information please visit: http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/
en/homepage/schemes_and_programmes/worker_registration.html.

National Insurance

Many of our workers from Poland, Eastern Europe and other EU countries will have already been employed in the UK and so they will already have a valid National Insurance Number.

However new members of staff who do not have a National Insurance Number must contact their local Job Centre to arrange an appointment to apply for one.

Until that number is received, you should process your new worker’s wages using a temporary National Insurance Number.

For more information, please visit: www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/ni_number.asp.