Extension of Transitional Arrangements for Bulgarian & Romanian nationals

The Transitional Arrangements for Bulgarian and Romanian (A2) nationals have been extended until the end of 2013.

Throughout this period, people from Bulgaria and Romania will still require permission from the UK Border Agency before they can work in the UK. This will normally be granted only when a worker has a specific job offer and where the work is in skilled employment for which the employer has been unable to find a suitably qualified UK resident.

Quota-based arrangements for lower skilled jobs in the agricultural and food processing sectors will stay at the same level throughout 2012 and 2013.

The full announcement can be found on the Home Office website.

The extension also means a continued restriction on entitlements to benefits, with rough sleeping Bulgarian and Romanian nationals unlikely to be eligible unless they have worked continuously for 12 months. Local areas will need to support these individuals to access the labour market if possible or offer supported reconnection back to their home country.

Under European law the current restrictions cannot continue beyond the end of 2013 and will therefore be lifted from January 2014.

Further guidance on working with this group