Worker Registration Scheme (WRS)

The government has unexpectedly decided to extend the WRS for a further two years.

On 1^st May 2004, 10 new companies joined the EU.  Their nationals have the right to live and work in the UK.  The government, however, introduced measures dictating that nationals from eight of these states (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) register with the Home Office if they are working within the UK.

With a few exceptions, nationals from these countries starting a new job are expected to complete (within a month of starting work) a WRS registration form including information on their employer, which should be sent with a copy of their employment contract, two photographs, a passport or ID card and £90.00 fee to the Home Office.  If the application is valid the individual is sent a registration card and certificate and a copy of the certificate is sent to the employer.

The WRS scheme was due to end automatically on 30^th April 2009, however, the government has extended the scheme for a further two years (perhaps in light of the Lindsey Oil Refinery dispute) arguing that it is entitled to do so on the grounds that there is currently “serious disturbance” in the UK labour market.  Bodies such as the ALP and the REC are lobbying the government in an attempt to reverse this decision, however, we should work on the assumption that the scheme will be extended from 1^st May 2009 for 2 years (although there may be some minor changes to the application process).

HEADS Recruitment manages the WRS process for all our qualifying workers (and will continue to do so for the duration of the WRS scheme).  If you need any further advice relating to the WRS please contact me directly.

Kind regards
Jon Derbyshire

Head Office

Kimada House 442 Flixton Road•Flixton•Manchester•M41 6EY
• www.heads-uk.com
• e: jon.derbyshire@heads-uk.com
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