How do I apply to work in the United Kingdom?

This page explains how to apply to work in the United Kingdom if you are a Bulgarian or Romanian national.

Please note that we are unable to provide written confirmation of receipt of applications for accession worker cards and registration certificates. Applicants sending documents by recorded or special delivery are advised to use the track and trace facility on the Royal Mail website.

There are two stages to applying for work authorisation. Your employer needs to apply for a work permit unless they are one of the categories listed in section Can I live and work in the UK section who do not need a work permit. Once they have applied for the work permit and it has been approved, a letter of approval will be sent. When you have received this letter you will then need to apply for an accession worker card (see below).

Work permit

To apply for a work permit your employer will need to look at the work permits section and apply using the appropriate form. Your employer must read the relevant guidance before making an application. The qualifying criteria published in this guidance must be followed in order to apply for a letter of approval to employ Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to work in the United Kingdom. However, there are some aspects of the work permit arrangements that are not relevant to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals. These are:

• Bulgarian and Romanian nationals will cease to be subject to immigration control. They will no longer require leave to enter or remain and we will therefore no longer issue multiple entry work permits for them; and
• United Kingdom employers are not required to inform us of a technical change of employment; and
• an accession worker card will be valid for as long as the Bulgarian or Romanian worker remains in the employment for which the card has been issued. United Kingdom employers will not therefore need to seek an extension of the initial approval under the work permit arrangements; and
• there will be no restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals switching from one employment category into another employment category whilst in the United Kingdom (but if an individual changes jobs, their new employer must apply for another letter of approval from us and the individual must apply for a new accession worker card).; and
• there are no restrictions on Bulgarian or Romanian nationals changing their status in the United Kingdom from a worker to a student, a self-employed person or a self-sufficient person; and
• for applications under the student internships and sectors based scheme there is no requirement for Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to be out of the country at the time of an application.

Accession worker card

To apply for an accession worker card you should use application form BR3, which you can download from the right side of this page.

If you require an accession worker card and have obtained an offer of employment before you come to the United Kingdom, you can apply for the document from outside the United Kingdom.

Registration certificate

To apply for a registration certificate you should use application form BR1, which you can download from the right side of this page. You can apply for a registration certificate if you are in the United Kingdom as a self employed person, a student or a self sufficient person. If you are exempt from worker authorisation you can apply for a registration certificate as a worker or jobseeker.

We can only consider an application for a registration certificate if you are already in the United Kingdom. The guidance for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Highly skilled people

To apply for a registration certificate as a highly skilled person you should use form BR2, which you can download from the right side of this page. You will need to demonstrate that you meet certain requirements in order to obtain a registration certificate on this basis.

To qualify as a highly skilled person you must score enough points under the points assessment we used for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. This programme is now available only to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania. Points are awarded based on your age, level of qualifications and previous earnings. You may also qualify on the basis of a qualification awarded in the United Kingdom by a recognised body.

For more information, see Points assessment for highly skilled people.

Bulgarian and Romanian national and family member registration certificate

Family members of an EEA national who is not registered under the WRS and is not subject to work authorisation can apply for a registration certificate using the same application form. The application form is EEA1 and can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Accession worker card for an authorised family member

To apply for an accession worker card as an authorised family member you should use application form BR4, which you can download from the right side of this page.

Residence card for family members

If you have got a registration certificate and you have family members who are not European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, they may apply for a residence card on application form BR5, which they can download from the right side of this page.

Family member residence stamp

If you have got an accession worker card and you have family members who are not EEA nationals, they may apply for a family member residence stamp on form BR6, which they can download from the right side of this page.

Family member registration certificate

If you are applying for a registration certificate as a family member of a person registered under the worker registration scheme, you should use application form BR7, which you can download from the right side of this page.

For further information on applying, and what documents you should send with your application, you must read the Bulgarian and Romania guidance, which you can download from the right side of this page.