Restrictions on A8 Nationals to Continue to 2009

The Immigration Minister, Tony McNulty, has announced in a written statement to parliament that the rules and restrictions imposed on nationals of the A8 Countries * will continue to 2009.

When the A8 countries joined the EU in May 2004, EU Member States were authorised to impose restrictions on free movement rights. Only the UK and Ireland allowed nationals of the A8 countries the right to live and work in their countries. However the UK did impose restrictions on those nationals, such as the requirement to register with the Home Office within 30 days of starting employment and restricted right to State benefits.

EU Member States were required to inform the European Commission by May 2006 if the Member State intends to continue those restrictions. In the written statement, the Minister said that the influx of workers from the A8 countries has been good for the UK economy, but it is nevertheless still important to control and oversee immigration from those countries.

If you have a query on this or any other UK immigration matter, please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialist immigration lawyers.

* The A8 countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.