Before You Work

National Insurance Number


Everyone who wants to work in the UK must apply for a National Insurance (NI) number, this includes

foreign nationals. To apply, you or your employer can telephone the Jobcentre Plus Office in your area,

who will ask for your details and arrange a suitable time for an interview.

 

Worker Registration Scheme

 

Within the first month of starting work you are required to register with the ‘Workers Registration

Scheme' if you are a national of one of the following countries: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,

Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. You will be required to give details of your name, southbank

address, date of birth and employment details.


It is illegal to work in the UK if you do not register in the first month.


Work Permit and Accession Worker Card

 

If you are from Bulgaria or Romania and want to work in the UK,

the company you would like to work for needs to apply for a work

permit in order to employ you. After the UK employer has

received a letter of approval you must complete an application for

an accession worker card. You can start working for your UK

employer as soon as this card has arrived. You have to apply for a new accession worker card if you would like to

change jobs as this card is issued for a particular job. After 12 months of continuous employment you will gain full

EU worker rights.

 

For more information or to get application forms visit:

www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/bulgariaromania/applying/