UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Work restrictions for eastern Europeans remain

Friday, 17 April 2009

The UK Government has recently announced that strict working restrictions for Eastern Europeans will be retained.

Under the Worker Registration Scheme the Government can monitor the kind of work A8 nationals do as well as the location where they work, which aims to ensure better plan for local services and effective management of the British labour market.

Continuing restrictions also mean A8 nationals will not have a right to the full benefit system until they have been working and paying tax for at least 12 consecutive months.

The Government made the decision following expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on the benefits of the Scheme to the British labour market.

Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:

"Migration only works if it benefits the British people, and we are determined to make sure that is what happens. That is why I am delighted to announce that we are keeping in place restrictions which mean we can continue to count how many people are coming here, and which limit Eastern Europeans' access to benefits."

The number of Eastern Europeans coming here to work has fallen dramatically as the effects of the recession spread throughout the wide economy. In the last quarter of 2008, 29,000 applications were made from A8 nationals - down from 53,000 in the same period in 2007. Nevertheless, the Government is determined to ensure migration is controlled and works for the country as a whole.

In addition, the Government is determined to be stricter on European criminals and remove those that cause harm to the UK communities.

From today the deportation referral threshold for European criminals will be cut from 24 months imprisonment to 12 months for drugs, violent and sexual offences. This means these offenders will be automatically considered for deportation.

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.