Here you can find information on working in the UK.
Below you can find definitions and restrictions of EEA and Swiss nationals. You can also find information on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme and the Sector Based Scheme.
EEA and Swiss Nationals include people from:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK
EEA and Swiss nationals are free to enter and live in the UK without the need to apply for permission.
Bulgarian and Romanian nationals (A2 countries)
You can move and live freely in any European Union (EU) member state as a European Economic Area (EEA) national. You do not need permission under UK immigration rules to enter or stay in the UK.
To work in the UK you will usually need to apply for a worker accession card. Your employer may also have to apply for a work permit for you.
Visit the UK Border Agency website for more information on whether you need an accession card or work permit.
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS)
This scheme allows Romanian and Bulgarian nationals to do agricultural work in the UK for up to six months. Workers on the SAWS scheme will be carrying out agricultural work including:
- planting and gathering crops
- on-farm processing and packing of crops
- handling livestock
To be eligible for the SAWS you need to be over 18 years of age and will need to apply for a work card from one of nine approved operators. SAWS approved operators are listed on the UK Border Agency website on the right side of the page link below.
Visit the UK Border Agency website for more information on applying for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS).
The Sector Based Scheme (SBS)
This scheme allows for Romanian and Bulgarian nationals to work within the food manufacturing industry in the UK for a maximum of 12 months. Workers employed on the SBS will work within one or more of the following areas:
- fish processing
- meat processing
- mushroom processing
To be eligible for the SBS you need to be between 18 and 30 years of age. To apply for the Sector Based Scheme (SBS) you need to fill out the SB1 form on the UK Border Agency website.
Visit the UK Border Agency website for more information on applying for the Sector Based Scheme (SBS).
The Points Based System (or) Non-EEA Nationals
Non-EEA nationals who want to come to the UK to work will normally be expected to qualify under the Points Based System. The Points Based System organises types of work:
Tier 1 – for highly skilled people. Those who qualify will be given free access to the labour market.
Tier 2 – for skilled workers with an offer of employment in the UK.
Tier 5 – for certain types of temporary work in the UK.
Visit the UK Border Agency website for more information on the Points Based System.
