International Communities
This page gives details of A8 and A2 nationals' rights in the United Kingdom.
View Presentation on A8 and A2 Nationals' Rights after May 2011 (80 KB PDF)
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(A telephone interpretation service is available by contacting ACCESSLine 08452 777 778.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the A8 countries?
The A8 countries are:
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
A8 nationals are free to enter UK, but there are restrictions on rights to reside.
What are the A2 countries?
The A2 countries are:
- Bulgaria
- Romania
What are A8 nationals' rights?
The rights of A8 nationals are in line with the rights of British nationals.
A8 nationals do not require to register with the Home Office.
A8 nationals are eligible to receive offers of housing assistance if they have the right to reside (working, self-employed or job seeker).
What are A2 nationals' rights?
A2 nationals' rights are still restricted. The restrictions on A2 nationals may continue until December 2013.
A2 nationals who want to work in the UK from have to apply for a workers authorisation document.
Either:
- An accession worker card issued under the Workers Authorisation Scheme. A2 nationals must get an accession worker card before starting work in the UK.
- A seasonal agricultural worker card issued under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS)
- permission to work for a maximum of six months
- workers' accommodation is provided by employer
Self Employed A2 Nationals are not required to apply for a worker's authorisation document.
A2 nationals studying in the UK can take employment for up to 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during holiday periods from the course, but required first to obtain a registration certificate confirming that they are students.
Once working and authorised, or registered self employed, A2 nationals gain the right to reside and can access some benefits, including:
- child benefit;
- child tax credit;
- working tax credit;
- council tax benefit; and
- housing benefit.
A2 nationals are eligible to receive offers of housing assistance if they have the right to reside (working and authorised or self employed).
What are the exemptions to the Workers Authorisation Scheme?
Exemptions are as follows:
- Working with permission, and without interruption, in the United Kingdom for a period of 12 months ending on or after 31 December 2006.
- Anyone on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme;
- Anyone whose employer is based outside the UK;
- Family member of a Bulgarian or Romanian national who is self employed, self sufficient or a student.
- Self employed people.
What are the options for social housing for A2 and A8 nationals?
Housing Associations
A2 and A8 nationals can apply for accommodation from a housing association, but only if they have enough money to pay the rent.
There are no restrictions on the grounds of registration with Home Office to A2 and A8 nationals.
Angus Council
A2 and A8 nationals can apply for Angus Council housing if they got rights to reside in the UK. A proof of aplicant's earnings or benefits entitlement will be required.
Each client need to be assisted individually.
What are the rights to reside?
A person who moves from A2 and A8 countries to the UK has a right to reside if they are economically active (working, self-employed or job seeker) or are able to support themselves.
What are the documents needed as proof of rights to reside of A8 nationals?
- Proof of employment; e.g. payslip, or
- Proof of self employment e.g. Accountant's Letter, Registration with HM Revenue & Customs, or
- Proof of income related benefits entitlement:
- Housing Benefit,
- Council Tax Benefit,
- Income Support,
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance,
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance,
- Child Benefit,
- Child Tax Credit,
- Working Tax Credit,
- State Pension Credit, or
- Confirmation of permanent residence (employment, in self employment, studying or self sufficient in the UK throughout the 5-year period before apply for housing)
View Proof of rights to reside of A8 nationals in English, Polish and Russian (100 KB PDF).
(A telephone interpretation service is available by contacting ACCESSLine 08452 777 778.)
What are the documents needed as proof of rights to reside of A2 nationals?
- Proof of work permit documents, or
- Proof of self employment e.g. Accountant's Letter, Registration with HM Revenue & Customs, or
- Confirmation of permanent residence (employment, in self employment, studying or self sufficient in the UK throughout the 5-year period before apply for housing)
View Proof of rights to reside of A2 nationals in English, Romanian and Bulgarian (100 KB PDF).
(A telephone interpretation service is available by contacting ACCESSLine 08452 777 778.)
Which benefits have a 'right to reside' test attached to them?
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- State Pension Credit
- Housing and Homelessness Assistance.
Which benefits do not have a 'right to reside' test attached to them?
- Disability Living Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
Who do I contact for further information?
ACCESSLine 08452 777 778
Useful web sites:
- Housing Rights Information - Scotland/
- UK Border Agency - Working in the UK/
- Migrants' Rights Network
Service Page: InternationalCommunities.htm
Service Details Last Reviewed : 3 July 2012
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