Special work permit application forms and guidance for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals published
The UK Border Agency has published new work permit application forms and revised guidance notes for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals on its website – see work permits – Bulgarian and Romanian nationals only.
The forms and guidance are specifically for work permit applications for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals made on or after 01 April 2009.
Work permit arrangements are only open to employers wishing to employ Bulgarian and Romanian nationals. Employers wishing to employ migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) should do so under Tier 2 of the points based system. See How I sponsor a migrant on the UK Border Agency website.
But aren’t Bulgarian and Romanian workers the same as Poles?
The short answer is no. Employers should be aware that Bulgarian and Romanians are not treated in the same way as other European Union (EU) citizens, and have less rights to work here that non-EU citizens such as the Swiss.
Many Bulgarian and Romanian job hunters who travel to the UK are completely unaware that restrictions are in place. The newest EU members understandably assume that because they belong to the European Union they can move and work freely in any member state. This is not the case.
Employers can now be fined up to £10,000 for each illegal worker employed. Possession of a National Insurance number is not a statutory defence for an employer who thinks this gives the holder the right to work in the UK.
When the EU expanded in 2004, eight new member states, the so called ‘A8′ group of countries, including Poland, were only given free movement of labour by the UK, Ireland and Sweden.
Germany, Spain, France and Italy were the notable countries that refused to allow the former Eastern Bloc citizens the right to work. This caused a massive imbalance resulting in former Immigration Minister Tony McNulty’s famous prediction that just 13,000 Eastern Europeans would come to the UK in the first year to be proved wildly out of touch with reality.
It is estimated that around a million workers have arrived from Eastern Europe prompting an outcry from the tabloid press and later the Government to impose last minute restrictions on the ‘A2′ Bulgarian and Romanian citizens.
Bulgarian and Romanian migrants can set up a business here or register as students under the Yellow Card scheme. Students taking vocational (NVQ) courses can work up to 40 hours per week on their Yellow Cards, which can lead to a more permanent status.
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship, Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Reader Comments
i am romanian citizen
im working for the moment but i need to apply for the yewllow card
please can u tell me if u can apply for me and how much will cost me?
thank you
i am romanian citizen
im working for the moment but i need to apply for the yewllow card
please can u tell me if u can apply for me and how much will cost me?
hi Mr KELLY
i am holding a yellow card and i would like to sponsor my sister as even she wants to apply for a yellow card..is there a problem me being a student will i be able to sponsor her???
Hello Mr. C. Kelly,
I am living in the UK since 2007. I have a yellow permit issued in 2008 for a NVQ in care. I can’t apply for a blue permit because I didn’t work 12 months in a row in the year I was a studet. But I enrolled for an ITQ no and I don’t know if I have to apply for another yellow permit or not. Can you please help me with this?
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
EM Popescu
hellow can some body help me with some informations
I have a roumanin pasport and I am from moldova I have 2 citadinanse my housband have a card for member of family from roumania when we are come in uk in airport border officer put in he’s moldavian pasport a visa with valability for 6 month now we whant to do all the document’sinsurance utr number I whant to now how i can applay for the yellow card ? for visa to do when will exper? and whith insurance number i have a contract like emplyee for part time will be some probleme whith this ore no PLEASE HELP AS WE DOUN’T NOW WHAT TO DO
One of my staff has a yellow card and has been working continuosly for 2 years,can they now apply for a blue card and if so how do they get one.
hello!
i am citizen of the republic of moldova. for the last 2 years ive been working legally in the uk, on the contract basis. as the job was seasonal i dont have 12 mths in a row. now, ive got the romanian citizenship. is it possible for me to apply for blue card? thanks
Hi!Me and my wife are self employed of romanian nationality.I have a yellow card and working continuosly for 3 years and my wife for 2 years with yellow card aswell.Can we apply for blue card?What papers do we need and what form do we have to fill in?
Thank you!
Hi there,i am from Bulgaria and my wife is Moldavian citizen and hold Bulgarian Id card but not a Passport i would like to ask someone who may know should my wife need any visa if we going for a holliday for two three weeks?
If someone work continuesly 12 months in the UK ,They can apply for Blue Card,which is BR1 Form (Bulgarians and Romanians)
It depends on what kind of yellow card you have .
If you have yellow card on Students ,you need to work 12 month and 20 hours a week .
but if you have yellow card on self-employment you need to work 12 month and you have to work in same job.
TO APPLY FOR YELLOW CARD : IT’S FREE
1-Download BR3 form for yellow card on UKBA web site
2-Download BR1 form for Blue card on UKBA web site
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgarianandromaniannationals/
hi i am a romanian citizen why every time i have’d aplyed for a national insurance number they refused me and how can i get one thank you
Hi ,Ihave blue card but I want the forms for yellow card to apply for my brother and I don”t found .Iam romanian and he is student.thank you
Hi all. I am a Bulgarian citizen. I have been in UK since November/2007. I got my yellow card as student. I went to my first school for 6 month, than i enroled my 2nd school for 4 month. I have 12 months payslips. I tried to apply for Blue Card but they reffused my applicatin. Becouse I don’t have enough attendance on my 2nd school. What should I do? Should I enrol a school for one more year?
Hi,
my brother is a bulgarian citizen and he has a Blue card and has now found a permanent job but trying to find someone to explain what we need to do in order to get a NI number has been a wild goose chase as no one seems to be able to help.
it is so frustrating when we are trying so hard to obtain the relevant paperwok needed in order to work legaly in this country but it seems that no one knows the rules!!!
can someone please help as he is due to start his new job but he has no NI number.
Please please help.
Thank you
Marina
hello to everyone, my name is Mihaela,I am a romanian citizen and at the moment I am student and I work part-time for a agency (I’ve got my yellow card and everything), but my real problem is where I work,they can’t give me 20 hours a week(from different reason),some weeks they give me 7-8 hours a week some weeks they give me nothing at all and if they can’t give me and I don’t do those 20 hours a week, after almost one year I need to apply for the blue card and I can’t because I haven’t done at least those hours a week which I am qualified for.What I can do in that situation
Mihaela…you don’t have to work 20 hours a week…the 20 hours is the limit …you can’t work more than that..other than that if you have a letter that show that you’ve been working for a year there should be enough.
hi,i’m andrei i am romanian citizen and i have yellow card.my question is if i can work more then 40 hours a week and if i work more how they afect mi when i apply for blue card?plase somebody help mi.thank you
Hello, I’m Adrian, I’m 19, I’m a studying film here in Uk and i want to know how do I apply for the yellow card? where should I begin?
I’ve heard that i need a paper that shows that i have 1000 or more euros in my bank account to prove that i’m not here to work for money. So can anyone tell me?
hi.i’m Cristina.i have my yellow card since may,but my employer asked me to work more than 20 hours,now i have even 37 hours/week.i will have problems when i will apply for blue card?thanks
hi, I just have a small question : what kind of course you need to enrolle at, to obtain a yellow card as a bulgarian ??? it needs to be for one year time? if is a part time course and it starts in sept, ends in february, is there a cjance to obtain a yellow card??
hello i am alex and i applied for a yellow card
i whould like to know how much longer do i have to wait, because it has been two months since i came here
Some Yellow Card (for Romanians and Bulgarians) applications are taking over two months. Not sure what other reader’s experience has been on Yellow Card applications?
My brother is here in England with me. He has applied once for a national insurance number, which he has been denied on grounds that he did not bring enough proof of his right to work in UK. Now, on the other hand, if he applies for a yellow card, he has to work already as a self-employed for at least 3 months.He has found lots of places where to work, but everywhere he is asked for a national insurance number. Is there any way out of this situation??
people! get your self a lawyer and sort out your problems man… do you think that someone sits here and waits for you to ask for help ? don`t trust anyone this days –JUST GOD! PRAY AND PRAY EVERYDAY….that is the only reasurance for your problems,believe me!
Hi my name is Dimitar Dimitrov.I’m bulgarian citizen and I would like to ask how can i get a natinol insurance number if you read the goverment web page it contradicts it self it says you should get it straight away then the job center will not give me one if i am not working and no one will employ me with out one
I would like to know if I have to pay any fee for the Blue card registration work permit.
Most European applications are fee free
i am adrian i am Romanian citizen and student in uk i would like how can i apply for yellow card?
You can check the UK Border Agency website or seek legal advice form an immigration adviser.
hi,i’m polish and i’ve been working in uk for 3.5years now,got my nin and paying taxes,but recently found out i might need to register to get a workers permit,is that the case and is it nessesary???
No, you do not need a work permit if you are Polish.
You need to register under the Workers Registration Scheme – WRS
See UKBA website for details:
Worker Registration Scheme
This page explains what the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) is and who needs to apply.
If you are a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia and want to work for one month or more for a United Kingdom employer you must register under the WRS.
For full details on the requirements to register under the WRS and for information on how to register you should read the Worker Registration Scheme section.
Once you have been working legally in the United Kingdom for 12 months without a break you will have full rights of free movement and will no longer need to register on the WRS. You can then get a registration certificate confirming your right to live and work in the United Kingdom, although you are not obliged to do so. Details on how to apply for registration certificate are on the applying page.
Hi I am Bulgariann and on August 26th, 2010 I recieved my Yellow Card. I work in UK since january 2010. My question is will I be eligible to recieve a Blue Card if I show a contract as an employee since January 2010 or the 12 months of working as an emplyee should start from the date you recieved an Yellow Card ?
hi there
im bulgarian worked in uk for over 3 years allways had that self employed card and actualy just find out that i need a blue card to work with no restrectons in uk!i phoned the Home office and they said i cant get it if im self employed so just wondering is it a way around that?coz what they say is i have to work in really shity factory wich have to applay for work permit and some other card and after 12m i can try to get a blue card????i think thats alot of rubish but im no home office so if anybody nows something pleese let me now coz im gona lose my job !?
regards Galin
hello i am Romanian…i applied to yellow card student making NVQ since 16 september..i keep call HomeOffice and they say is in progress my application..on their site says this week working for 16 sept 2010 applications..do they respect what they write there?..how long u think may take to get answer from them?
Hello! I’m a Romanian girl I graduate in 2008 Faculty of Metallurgy in Romania a Company from Birmingam whant to employ but I can’t fill up my contract because i dont have a NI number and a blue card.
I whant to apply for Blue card by my High Skills diploma, any ideea how long it will take to recive it. Also I apply for NI number and they refused it because I dont have the right to work. Whant can I do I will lose a jos as a metallurgy because of one pice of papper?
F*** THE HOME OFFICE AND ITS MINISTER…
POLISH F****** RUINED THIS FUCKIN COUNTY AND NOW NO ONE CAN F***** WORK HERE ANY MORE…
SO BY THE TIME GOOD AND SUNNY DAYS WILL COME FOR BG AND ROM..ALL I CAN SAY IS…F*** HOME OFFICE AND F*** POLISH SLAVES
Hi.I was student ,I’ve got the yellocard ,I finished my year in college ,but the second year I didn’t go couse I am pregnant. I spoke to my manager from college about it and said ,I can start next year my course . I would like to know if I can use the yellocard for next year or I have to apply again for one. Do I have to send back to uk border agency my yello or is still available ? Thanks
Galin, zdravey! You can apply for a Blue Card if you have yellow card on self-employment, but you need to work 12 months and you have to work in same job.
TO APPLY FOR YELLOW CARD : IT’S FREE
1-Download BR3 form for yellow card on UKBA web site
2-Download BR1 form for Blue card on UKBA web site
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgarianandromaniannationals/ .
Kasmet!
Hello Cristina,
unfortunatly if you have a yellow card and you are working more then 20 hours a week that means you are working ilegally and when you will apply for a blue card you will be rejected because you worked more hours then you were aloud by the home office and the yellow card. When you will apply for a blue card you will need the payslips for 12 months and then they will notice the difference in your earnings. So ask your employer to allow you to work only 20 hours otherwise you will have difficulties in obtaining your blue card.
Hi. My name is Cezar and I am a Romanian citizen. In January, should apply for the Blue Card. I’v got Yellow Card, but I am a little confused, what documents are needed for the Blue Card application. I finished the courses and NVQ level 2. Thanks. In fact, can help me someone with a model of recommendation, which must be signed by my boss to serve me at the Home Office letter to indicate my period to this job? Thanks.
hi.i’m Cristina.i’m a student and i will finish my course at the end of January, but a will have one yaer of work in April.should i continue my course till april or can i finished now and wait till april to apply for a blue card?i’m not sure if I must have school till April or not?thanks.
hi ! my name is cristian and im a romanian citizen, i’m in uk till 2007 i have the blue card and now i want to bring my sister here . i can apply for a blue card str8. or she need to take first a yallow card? thenx
hi,regarding the yellow cards turning blue,working for 12 moths means working as self-employed for 12 months on the same job?and what form should be used to apply for the blue card,in these conditions?thanks
As an EU citizen, your Sister can freely enter the UK. Suggest you take advice when she arrives and considers her options.
See also:
Special work permit application forms and guidance for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals published
MY NAME IS MRS.ABEY,I AM A WORK PERMIT HOLDER [SENIOR CARER],MY WORK PERMIT WILL EXPIRE ON 4TH OF FEB 2011.MY EMPLOYER IS HAPPY TO RENEW MY WORK PERMIT AND HE ALREADY GOT PERMISSION LETTER FROM THE HOME OFFICE.WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AND ANY PROBLEM REGARDING RENEWAL,…………..THANKS
Hello everyone,
My name is Adina, I`ve been in the UK for 2 months now, I am trying to find a way to work legally. Getting a self-employed right is complicated SO SCHOOL..BUT:
If I do that and have a Yellow Card for a year I can get a Blue Card in the end. Now the questions I can`t find answer to, can it be a part time course, I read somewhere it needs to be at least 15hs of teaching/week. I looked into the Home office form BR1 which does not say anything about the amount of hs of study.
What would be the minimum period of time I`d need to enrol for?
Now, most colleges will start a year long course in September, could I pay for an normal English Course till September comes and than change to something I want to do?
Hi there
I want to employ a romanian girl as an au pair. She is already in the UK and has been here for a year but has not got a purple card as she applied for an au pair visa with her previous family and they filled the form saying she would be working for 30 hours which is not allowed on the Au pair card. Am I allowed to employ her? i do not wish to do anything illegal. I would be happy to do anything to assist her.
thanks
Hi,my boyfriend is romanian an he is self employed and works in UK since 2007.He doesnt has a yellow card and now he would like applay for a blue card.What documents he should provide to Home Office?He has a NI number.
Thanks
HELLO! I AM ROMANIAN CITIZEN! I AM HERE FOR 2 YEARS AND HALF! HOW DO I APLY FOR YELLOW CARD??? I HAVE NATIONAL INSSURANCE NUMBER!!! PLS HELP ME WITH SOME ADVICE!!! THANK YOU!
hello can someone help me i download the aplication for yellow card and i do not understand what is “original version of all the required documents “??? thank you for all the advice!!!
You should see an adviser as depending on what you have been doing here you may be able to apply for a Blue Card residence permit.
Hello,
I have a question about the necessity of a yellow registration card.
I have been browsing quite a few sites, and I have seen that for a Romanian or Bulgarian national exercising a Treaty Right such as being a student, self-employed or self-sufficient, it is not mandatory to get a registration certificate(yellow card) to prove this. I have been working as self-employed for a while now, and would like to apply for a blue card next year/late 2011 maybe. Will I be able to if I opted not to get a yellow card so far? It hasn’t been too long since I’ve started my work, but I don’t want to jeopardize my chances of getting the blue card next year, as I would like to explore other occupational avenues as well (while maintaining the self-employment status too).
So I would like to know if there is a 100% need for a yellow card for me to apply for the blue one after 12 months of continuous work, and also, if I do apply for a yellow card, would it state the commencing date of my working status (the date I registered as self-employed with HMRC) or would it be showing the date on which I applied for the card(which would in turn delay the date I could apply for the blue one)?
Your answer would be greatly appreciated, or please direct me to whomever could help me out in this matter.Thank You!
Hi everyone,
The Yellow Card is the only certificate released by the Home Office for Romanians and Bulgarians which gives entitlement to work as Self Employed or Student in the UK for an unlimited period.
To obtain this Certificate you have to apply for it. There are no restrictions as to type of work you can do.
Holders of a Blue Registration Card can include highly skilled migrants and Romanians/Bulgarian spouses, or civil partners of a UK national, or a person settled in the UK.
The Blue Registration Card can also be issued for other Romanian and Bulgarian nationals who are exempt from the requirement to obtain an Accession Worker Card.
I wish I was not born in Bulgaria!!!!!!!
I think that explains it all!!!!!
Hi all,
My partner is Romanian and has been denied a national insurance number, he works in construction so could easily be self employed but cant get work as he has no number. We are going around in circles!
Has anyone got any ideas where he might find work that will employ him? We were told he cant do factory work as he is 35. Also being a student might be an option, but we still have bills to pay so he would need to work as well – Can the course be part time? and is it 40hrs per week that he can work?
Any help please!!!!
Hello, I am a Romanian citizen, and worked in Uk for 7 months now. I allready applied for Yellow card, as I am student for BITE. I applied on 24 nov 2010 for yellow card and still no answers. The problem is I`ve moved from my previous adress and I would like to know if I could track the progress of my paperwork somehow, or maybe to get in touch with Home Office to communicate my new postcode. Please, can somebody help?
Hi!Me and my husband are self employed of romanian nationality.We have a yellow card and working continuosly for 2.5-3 years as a self employed.Can we apply for blue card?What papers do we need and what form do we have to fill in?
Thank you!
Have you called the Home Office or informed them of your new address?
I would like to ask the following: I am from Bulgaria. I am studying English at college in London for one year. I have a yellow card for student and I am working. I married a month ago. Are this gives the right to my wife to apply for a yellow or blue card to work and to endure both? Thank you
Hello
I came to UK as self-emplyed in Oct 2007. I have been working contionuosly since then, but have not applied for yellow card.
Can I apply for blue card without having a yellow card or do I need yellow card then blue card and then I can apply for citizenship?
Thanks a lot
en-quiring on behalf of some one else ,my partner is Romanian his yellow card expires soon and the home office appointments for applying in person is impossible, they add a new week and there is no appointments within a few minutes of being added, now this is the third time this has happened and yes it’s ok for me I am british but what happens if this yellow card expires and he still cannot get appointment for home office? he is also a student doing an NVQ2, please any suggestions will be greatly appreciated as im not sure what else we/he can do thankyou
Please be aware that we are experiencing extremely high demand for some appointment types, in particular premium appointments. If you cannot find any availability based on your search criteria please try a different branch or time. If there are still no appointments shown please come back later as more appointments are made available every day.
You searched for Croydon, week commencing Monday 23 May 2011
Day Date Appointments
There are currently no appointments available, please try again later.
THIS IS WHAT IT HAS CONSTANTLY SAID FOR THREE WEEKS EVERY TIME A NEW WEEK IS ADDED HOW CAN IT BE POSSIBLE?
Hi, I am 25 years old from Bulgaria. I would like to apply for Blue Registration Certificate on the basis of being highly skilled individual.
I have carefully read the guidance and I have a specific question:
In the Guidance, at the bottom of page 9 you find the following sentence: “Applications from Highly skilled individuals can also be submitted from outside the UK.” But when I open form BR2 the second sentence in bold says: “In order to exercise a Treaty right you must be residing in the United Kingdom at the time of application.”.
So, can I apply from Bulgaria or should I first move to UK?
Please, if anyone could help me to clarify this matter I will greatly appreciate it.
Best regards,
Milena
Hi,
I am student and I have yelow card.I can tell everyone: you have to work at least 1 year with yellow card as student, and after you applied for blue card and you can get that. I started school in september 2010 and I get ensurance number and yellow card. I called to home office and they told , if I want to get blue card I have to work the least 1 year with yellow card but not self-employed. You have to be legal employed. This is the best way and sure to obtain documents in UK.
All the best !
Hi,i’m a romanian citizen and i’ve been living in uk for 5 years and i was self employed for 12 months.My husband is from Pakistan and he has a work permit.Can i also get a blue card?
Hi, I am Bulgarian citizien. I have yellow work permit ( as student). I’d like to set up a coffe shop, but I don’t know what I need, which kind of work permit I need. If you know could you give me advice please. thank you.
Hi! i’m citizen of romania, i’m in englang for 3 months and i started to work as self employed. can you help me?… what should i do first? apply for NI number or Yellow card? and how to do it? what kind of documents i need to provide?
thanks
See: Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
Free presentations are running at Bison UK for Employers, Romanians and Bulgarians the week of 11-22 April 2011, Monday to Friday, from 11am-12noon and 3-4pm. No need to book, just turn up.Venue: Bison Management UK, 16 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1DL. Nearest Train Station: Elstree and Borehamwood Station; Buses from Edgware underground station: 107 and 292.
See: Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
Hi, I am from Bulgaria. I understant I will be eligible to apply for a yellow card if I study.Do I need to have a NI Number in order to sign up for a NVQ course?
Hi, yes you can apply for a Yellow Card to study and work. You can apply for an NI number when you start work, but do not need it to start a study course. See: HOW TO FIND APPLICATION FORMS FOR A ‘YELLOW’ OR ‘BLUE’ CARD REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ON THE UK BORDER AGENCY WEBSITE
Free presentations are being run at Bison UK Immigration Advisers for Employers, Romanians and Bulgarians the week of 11-22 April 2011, Monday to Friday, from 11am-12noon and 3-4pm. No need to book, just turn up.Venue: Bison Management UK, 16 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1DL. Nearest Train Station: Elstree and Borehamwood Station; Buses from Edgware underground station: 107 and 292.
Hi,I’m self-employed from june 2007 with yellow card but from 2009 I’m working constantly for recrutment agency till now.can i apply for blue certificate or i have to wate 1 more year and aplly for indefinite leave to remain.
thank u for that forum and willingness to help.
Best Regards,
Vladimir
Hi,
i`m Romanian, i`m about to start studying in october….can i apply now for the yellow card…national insurance number?
thank you!
Do you have all the documents required for the BR1? It can take up to three months to obtain the Yellow Card on a postal application.
Hi all,
I`ve been studying General English Course one year, for witch I was entitled with yellow certificate.
Now my question is, if I have finished the course but haven`t work at all this period and now I`m planning to join the same course for example or any other course for another one year, should I apply again for the yellow certificate or I can use the same one and if I can use the same yellow card shell I call H.O. to ask them??
Regards, cristi
i applied for a blue card on 31 January. I have started my Nvq 2 last year in January. I did work first time in a care home as care assistant , for 8 months and after I worked as support worker to another company.As care assistant I could work 40 hours per week , also as support worker I have worked 40 hours per week, but yesterday I spoke with somebody from UK border and they said I have worked too many hours per week during my Nvq course. When I have changed my job, I have infomed my Nvq provider about this, and they said will be ok if I will work 40 hours per week, now that man from Uk border said it is not right??!!
Hi, all
I have been working in UK as a employee for 2(two) full years. Start June 2004 and end june 2006. I have N.I number and all the payslips for that period. Could you tell me please is it posible to apply for Blue certificate?
Thank you very much!!!!!
Hello there! I am romanian citizen, I’m living and working for the past 2 years in Madrid,Spain. But I would like to migrate in Glasgow, Scotland in the near future. I would like to know what kind of permit do I need to study, live and work in Scotland, what color and how to obtain this permit. I will need, of course, a national insurance number in order to have all legit forms that i need.
Thank you in advance!
Sincerly,
Eugen Pitulice
There are various ways a Romanian (or Bulgarian) can work in the UK. See Rules for European workers in the UK
You could register a business or study and work on a YELOW CARD.
Students from Bulgaria and Romania
If you are a student from Bulgaria or Romania you will need permission from the UK Border Agency to work. You will be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week and full time during vacations or if you are on a vocational course.
Vocational courses are work related qualifications where much of the learning takes place on the job in a real work environment. The most common type of vocational course is the QCF, which replaced the NVQ (National Vocational Course) courses as part of a recent government qualifications revamp.
Yellow Card to Blue Card route to residence in the UK
The majority Bulgarians and Romanians we come across in the UK (there are an estimated half a million Romanians living in the UK) have been or are currently working under a ‘yellow card’ registration scheme either as a ‘self-employed’ worker or studying and working as a student. However, many others have obtained an NI number and convinced an unwitting employer that they are ‘European’ and do not need permission to work.
Romanian and Bulgarians who study for vocational or sandwich-type courses, such as QCF (which replaced NVQ’s this year) in Customer Service, IT, Catering, Hospitality, Construction or Health and Social Care, are allowed to work full time, as stated on the back of their Yellow Cards.
Employers can employ Romanian and Bulgarian workers provided they obtain a yellow card registration certificate allowing them to work in the UK whilst studying for a British qualification.
Provided they stick to the course and work legally for 12 months in line with their course, they will usually be granted a residence ‘Blue Card’ permit.
See article http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=842
hello , i’m romanian citizen , i’m aupair and i have my purple card. in august i have 12 month of working at the same familly , and i need to apply for my blue card. how long it will take to receive an answer? thank you!
i just receive my yellow card but when i open the anvelope i broken very badly my yellow card how can i change my yellow card with a new one?
hello,im a romanian citizen,i have self,nino and i applyed for yellow card.my question is if my girlfriend can aply for me to get a blue card(she a polish and im with her since 3 years ago but i dont want rush things and get married)can she apply 4 me or not?we leave on the same adress in england,we can demonstrate that we are 2getter…
if someone know if she can apply 4 me please write me back..
Hi,
I am Bulgarian.
I have worked in UK as self-employed(and still do) and employed with a part time agreement since October 2007.
I have been offered a full time job and need to sign a full time contract. I have been asked for work visa/ permit.
Can I apply for a blue card on the basis of my part-time agreement (more than 12 months with the same employer with no break).
Thank you.
Ivan, you did not say what type of registration card you are holding. If you have a yellow card you should be able to apply for a blue card which would allow you to work without a work permit.
I don’t have any card. And never had one. What are the requirements for yellow card application? Tnx
So on what basis are you working in the UK? See earlier reply or call Bison UK for advice 0208 905 1822
Hello, i`m a romanian citizen, my brother is working in UK and he have blue card, i`ve heard that i can apply for a blue card true my brother, how can i do that?
Hello Mr.Kelly,
I am a Romanian national and I have lived in UK since November 2008.I have graduated from University in Romania but I encountered difficulties when seeking employment here. I was thinking to try enrolling a course at NVC/QCF level but I am reading now on UKBA website that rules for students who want to work have become tougher.
There is a post on the UBKBA site, dated 04.July:
We have revised the Immigration Rules relating to Tier 4 in order to:
restrict work entitlements, by only allowing students sponsored by higher education institutions (HEIs) and publicly funded further education colleges to work part-time during term time and full-time during vacations;
restrict sponsorship of dependants to those of students sponsored by HEIs on postgraduate courses lasting 12 months or longer, and of government-sponsored students on courses lasting longer than 6 months;
require institutions to confirm that courses represent genuine academic progression from any previous courses studied by the student in the UK.
My questions are :
1. Does a course at NVC level represent a breaking from the principle of ” genuine academic progression” in my case, as I graduated from University ?
2. If it is of any sense to enroll in a NVC course will I meet work restrictions implying , actually, there is no sense of taking this course of action-trying to find work , even at a lower level of qualification , getting a yellow card and working for one year in order to get a blue card ?
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Note that the website you have read say: ‘We have revised the Immigration Rules relating to Tier 4′. Romanian and Bulgarian students do not fall under the Tier 4 Rules when applying for a Yellow Card.
STILL CONFUSED BY YELLOW CARD RULES?
Free presentations are being run at Bison UK Immigration Advisers for Employers, Romanians and Bulgarians – Monday to Friday, from 11am-12noon and 3-4pm. No need to book, just turn up.
Venue: Bison Management UK, 16 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1DL. Nearest Train Station: Elstree and Borehamwood Station; Buses from Edgware underground station: 107 and 292.
Tel. 0208 905 1922
Hi,I am Romanian citizen and I have the yellow card(self-employed) since 2007,since then I have just 10 months working in the same establishment, but as a employee part time, and I was wondering If this is affecting my application for the blue card.And I would like to know why am I refused employment based on the colour of the card.I lost tree jobs in top restaurants in London based on the card I have.could you please advice me what kind of employment should I go for in my case?contract or part time.
Employers do not understand the rules that apply to Romanians or Bulgarians. (http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/free-movement-of-eu-nationals-explained.html)
However, if you are registered as a self employed person you are supposed to be running a business rather than working (as an employed person) for one employer. This is why the UKBA have made it more difficult to register for a self employed yellow (BR1) card. Many are being refused because they cannot prove they are in business.
If you want to be properly employed than you should change the card to a student Yellow Card, as this allows employers to ‘employ’ you.
Most colleges will advise and help with the paperwork for free. See http://www.majesticcollege.org/ or email info@majesticcollege.org
Hope this helps.
See also:
HOW TO FIND APPLICATION FORMS FOR A ‘YELLOW’ OR ‘BLUE’ CARD REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ON THE UK BORDER AGENCY WEBSITE
Hiya everyone my name is Dona Bond ( Pesheva)and am in the UK since sep 08 , and i got married to my partner who is British in sep 09. Since then we had a baby girl and she has british citizenship but me i dont have anything ( Ni number or blue card ) Its been very difficult because i want to work and provide for my family but i cant and its such a struggle getting one. So my question is how can i get ni number and right to work in UK? I know its different for me because my spouse is brittish? Or i need to get a very good lawyer?
Thank you very much
Dona
Been trying to book a slot for a yellow registration certificate for about 7 months on their website. I really need it before December, but by now I have lost all hope. Does anyone know on what day they release the new appointment slots? Or at what time?
Thank you
You would be better off just posting the BR1 Yellow Card application to the UK Border Agency , as this will only take three or four weeks.
hi
i come in UK in jan.2010
i have NINO and i am self employed
i can’t find every time job
i want work permanently,but i need work visa
i don’t have some card
i want learn what i must do!
i am romanian citizen
thank you
my name is andreea and i am Romanian citizen i have N.I.N since november last year.i am self employed and i would like to know what i need to do next maybe in future i will get the BLUE CARD.i hear every day lots of opinions but i would like to hear a profesional one.me and my friend we have a partnership with a owner of a takeaway like we invested money in there and we got the N.I.N but now we need to know what we have to do next i’m fed up listening to everybody and i don’t want to loose hope.thank you
hi i am Czech working in UK from 2009 my husband is from romania we all ready applied for his blue card on my behalf.Do you know how long is it going to take?Just because i lost a job and will probably end up on the streets because i have no documents at all.I did send everything to UK Border Agency.Please can you give some advice what to do?Thank you your sincerely Olga
Thank you Mr. Kelly.
Hello again, I return with yet another question. On the new BR1 form, it says that I need proof of comprehensive medical insurance(I think that’s what it’s called, I don’t have the forms in front of me). As a student, I am registered with the NHS, but I am unsure as to whether this will qualify. If you could shed some light on this matter I would be grateful. Thank you.
Unfortunately an NHS card will not satisfy the UKBA, even though this is in effect ‘comprehensive sickness cover’. See:
Comprehensive Sickness Insurance now required for Bulgarian and Romanian study work yellow cards The UK Border Agency has started compelling Bulgarians and Romanians to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover when applying for yellow card registration as a working student. The insurance is a new requirement introduced as part of changes to the BR1 Yellow Card form in June…
What is the correct insurance cover?
One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.
Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.
To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website.
I know it is not fair to single out Romanians and Bulgarians, and this is being challenged, but if you want the Yellow Card now you will have to take out cover.
Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the info, definitely saved me hours and hours of research! I will get the quotes online and take out cover before getting back to London. Also, do you have any idea how I’m supposed to prove that I have taken out cover? Will a printed document suffice, or would I have to send an original health insurance card?
HELLO
WHICH FORM IS FOR THE BLUE CARD?
IM ROMANIAN AND I WANT TO WORK IN UK BUT IM NOT A STUDENT..
THANK U
See: HOW TO FIND APPLICATION FORMS FOR A ‘YELLOW’ OR ‘BLUE’ CARD REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ON THE UK BORDER AGENCY WEBSITE or
BR1 Form for ‘Yellow Card’ Registration revised – http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/br1-form-for-yellow-card-registration-revised.html
Hi,
I am a bulgarian citizen and I`m trying to find someone to explain what I need to do in order to get a NI number? WHEN I GO IN JOBCENTER PLUS THEY SAY YOU NEED FIRST TO MAKE NIN and then to register like self employed when i go to department of work and pension for the NIN interview thei refuse to give me NIN just because i dint have Accesion worker card when i ask how can i make Accesion Worker Card they thold me that the member of my family who have Accesion Worker Card need to apply for me and today i ask again JOBCENTER PLUS and they thold me that I CATUALY DON`T NEED TO MAKE ACCESION WORKER CARD IF I DONT WANT TO TO WORK LIKE A SELF-EMPLOYED OR SELF-ASESSTMENT I NEED FIRST TO MAKE MY NIN AND THEN TO REFISTER LIKE SELF EMPLOYED THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS AND PATHETIC people who come from outside EU complain that in their countri is not safe to live they come here and onli thing what they do is to complaining to want benefits and to make riots against the UK government and PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO WANT TO WORK SUFFER BECAUSE OF THEM I DONT WHANT TO TAKE BENEFITS THE BENEFITS NOW RUING BULGARIA BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT DONT HAVE A MONEY AND THEY KEEP TO GIVE BENEFITS NOT TO BULGARIANS BUT ONLY TO THE GIPSEYS IF UK CONTINUE TO GIVE BENEFITS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT UK CITIZENS IF THE GOVERNMENT OF UK DON`T DO SOMETHING WILL FOLLOW THE FAITH OF BULGARIA PLEASE DONT MAKE THE MUSTAKE OF OUR GOVERNMENT PLEASE
it is so frustrating when I trying so hard to obtain the relevant paperwok needed in order to work legaly in this country but it seems that no one knows the rules!!!
can someone please help me I`m due to start job but I dont have NI number yet and i am from 3 months here
Hello, hope you can help me with this one, as I’m really confused.I am Bulgarian.
I started studying in Sep/Oct. Applied for yellow card,and received it in Dec. I started work in June, the first year of my course officially finishes in Sep Y2, I suppose, 2nd year starts in Sep/October. My problem is that I cannot continue to a 2nd year of my course, because I must move to a different town,and cannot find the course I want there.
My question is do I still have the right to work? And will I be able to apply for a blue card,after 12 mths in total? Thank you.
hello just a simple question.i am bulgarian and i got NI number and i am self employed but dont have yellow card. how can i apply for one ?
is it still possible because i got my NI number but never apllied for yellow card ?
thank you
The form is BR1 which you can find on the UKBA website.
You will need more than hust an NI number though – e.g. invoices
See also: http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/uk-border-agency-rules-for-bulgarian-and-romanian-nationals.html
If you need help call Bison UK 0208 905 1822
Hello, I have a question which is: I came in UK with my boyfriend before 15 days. We found a flat so difficult without any job! We apply for NIN in Job Center Plus but there they told us that we need permission to work in UK because we are Bulgarian citizens. We have got BR3 form (it was given to us from the Job Center) to fill but if we fill it we are not allow to work for 6 months! We asked in different places how we can have this Permission and we received different options: to be self-employed, to start a skilled job or to apply for Permission using BR3 form and to wait 6 months for any answer. If we can find an employer who wants us to work for him and who agree to assist us,can he help us in any way to issue the documents? Please, can you tell us where we should go, what we should do, with who we need to speak to get this Permission? We are feeling like a ball now! We think that everybody play with us only because we are from Bulgaria! Is it so difficult to try to make your Life better in a country where you are foreigner?
Majestic College offers free advice on Yellow Cards and BR1 forms to their Bulgarian and Romanian students – call Joanna on 02082071020 or email info@majesticcollege.org
Job Centre staff and not trained immigration advisers
Hi guys I have the yellow card and undergoing NVQ Level 2 in hospitality. they didn’t have a straight 12month course so i had to enroll onto two short 6 month courses. now am almost at the end of the first one. My question is would Home Office appreciate the two courses and accept the 12 month pay slips at the end of the course, so then I can apply for Blue card sometimes next year?
Thank you
HI,IM BULGARIAN CITIZEN AND IM REGISTER FOR SELF EMPLOYED.NOW I START TO WORK AS A NANNY AND THE FAMILY ASK ME TO PAY MY TAX,BUT ON THE BASE OF SELF EMPLOYED THEY CANT..SO CAN I APPLY FOR WORK PERMIT AND WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO BECOME EMPLOY..CAN I WORK 1 YEAR LIKE EMPLOY AND AFTER TO APPLY FOR A BLUE CARD,I DONT HAVE YELLOW CARD..
Hi everyone,I’m a Romanian citizen and I’ve been working with no interrupting for the last three years as an Au Pair for a British family.With them I got my N.I Number too…now if I try to apply for the Blue Card will I’ll be able to get it or still I need to do something?
Thank You
hello, i am czech and my husband is romanian.we start work in scotland and we do not understand what form to fill.If BR1 or EEA1.and which section?thank you for an answer.
Hi. If Bulgarians and Romanians want to get their documents by working and studying a ‘vocational’ course, does the vocational course have to be NVQ? For example, does the in-house training provided by a chain of hair salons count? Thanks
It does not have to be an NVQ, however, the course and training provider would normally have to be approved if they want a yellow card. You can check the guidance on the UKBA website. Before issuing the yellow card (which can up to take 2 or even 3 months) the UK Border Agency ‘Bulgarian and Romanian’ section case workers check out the college and the course, as well as confirming attendance and the work placement.
Hi, I am a Romanian citizen and I have the BLUE CARD. I legally worked on BLUE CARD for 1 year and 6 mounts and now I would like to apply for the BLUE CARD for my husband. Can you please tell me how to apply for it and where do I need to go to complete it. Also I would like to know the documents required to do this. Thank you so much!
I am Rommanian citazian married with U.K citazian, I want to know long is blue card valid, what happend if my husband want to divorce, i will still be able to work on blue card, or will be revocted?
Hi there, I intend to apply for a blue card but I am not quite sure with regard to some aspects. I have been studying in the uk for the last 12 months while working as a bartender. Sometmes i ve worked more than 20 hours a week and that is mentioned on my payslip. I am aware that working more than 20 hours is in conflict with my student permit, however i was wondering if the ukba case workers are tolerant in such cases and grant the blue card. If not, if i apply and they reject my application will their be any fines instructed by the case workers or just a simple rejection. I am not sure of the practice in such cases and i was wondering if anyone has information with regard to this issue. Thank you
Hi Mr.Kelly,
I am romanian and have both yellow card student and NIN.
I have already finished a general english course and want now to apply for an Nvq hospitality course during one year.I’ll work in the restaurant full-time,40 hours.
I would like to know which are the steps to announce home office after i’ll get all the documents done.
Me in person,with an appointment before or the college and my Manager?Should first home office aprove before I’ll start the course and the job?
I am concern about that and need your precious advice.
Thank you so much,
Daniela Iuliana
You should find a college which offers the course you want. They will give you a letter which you need to apply for the yellow card registration certificate. To apply you need to complete the BR1 form, which also lists the requirements.
Depending on your situation you may also need bank statements, letter of employment or sponsorship. You will also need sickness insurance.
If you need further advice on courses you speak speak freely with Joanna at Majestic College on 0208 207 1020.
They offer special packages for EU students with free help on Yellow Card process. They also have a number of employers looking for staff and are willing to employ Bulgarians and Romanians.
For more information call Joanna on 0208 207 1020 or email info@majesticcollege.org
zombies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fratilor!!!!!!!stau de jumate de ora pe pagina asta si nu mai am rabdare sa mai caut ce am nevoie..si asta pt ca sunteti in UK de cativa ani sau de cateva luni(unii)si puneti niste intrebari EXTRAORDINARE!!!!!CE E CU VOI???DACA VEZI CA E PUSA O INTREBARE DE CINEVA,SI NU A PRIMIT RASPUNSUL,DE CE MORTII MASII MAI INTREBATI SI VOI ODATA!!!!NU VREAU SA GENERALIZEZ,DAR MULTI DINTRE ROMANI(sI MI-E RUSINE SA O SPUN)SUNT BATUTI RAU IN CAP.
This is a forum, so anyone is free to post answers as well as questions. Most of the factual answers can be found on the UK Border Agency website – http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ However, not all questions can be answered without full information and in some cases a consultation.
Is it possible to apply for a blue card if you worked for more then 1year on a selfemployed bases and to not have in your hand the yellow card???i have got the invoices to prove this.I really need your advice and how long do you think can take for this application?
Thanks for your answer.
Kind Regards,
Andrei
The normal process would be to obtain a yellow card first. You can check the BR1 Form and guidance to see if there is another way.
bai frate am inceput si eu scoala ca sa invat limba engleza da am luat letter de la scoala si am aplicat pt insurance number dar ei mia zis ca tre sa aplic prima oara pt yellow cared si dupa aia de insurance number da de unde sa dau si eu de forme pt yellow card ca nu gasesc
Hi,
I am a motswana citizen who is looking to apply for a national insurance number in Ireland. Can you please help me with the procedure and forms to apply. If possible please email them to my email address
The yellow card and NI (National Insurance Number) are separate applications made to completely different departments. An NI number and tax reference does not mean you have the right to work in the UK, but is required by employers for tax purposes.
A yellow card registration, for Bulgarians and Romanians exercising treaty rights, can be obtained by applying to the UK Border Agency on BR1 form, which is available on their website.
See: HOW TO FIND APPLICATION FORMS FOR A ‘YELLOW’ OR ‘BLUE’ CARD REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ON THE UK BORDER AGENCY WEBSITE
Hi there I use to work 3 months with my husband`s NIN and we didnt know this is wrong.now when we both have permission to work me blue card and he yellow i need to go for appointment for my NIN as well. My question is am I in trouble?
This is a tax and NI issue rather than immigration. You need to take advice from an accountant on tax/NI. You should jus deal with applying for your own NI number.
hi there.
I want an answer please on my question. I am romanian citizen who have a brother which is british citizen now. I worked through SAWS in the last few summers in UK, but I would like to know if is possible to apply for a card or something to work legal in Uk without restrictions, I don’t know how, like dependant of my brother, or because he is british citizen can I apply for a certificate something like that? Thanks a lot and I look forward to receive your answer.
Hello
I will like to ask a question wihth regards to my brother. He has a NI NO since 2007 but does not have a Yellow nor a Blue card. He was working for 2 years for the same employear but not as a self employed rather as a normal one where the TAX and NI NO was deducted and apaid to HMRC by his employer.
Recently he wanted to apply for British Passport and he was told that he needs to have the Blue card in order to do that. Also he was told that the conditions under he was working were ilegal. His concern is that for 2 years he was charged by HMRC TAX and NI NO and nobody said anithing with regards to his status.
What is to do in this case he can’t work as self employed as noboddy hires him under that status.
A National Insurance number or tax deducted by an employer (who collects tax for the government under the PAYA system) does not mean a person is legally allowed to work in the UK. Employers cannot use the existence of an NI number in their defence if caught employing a worker illegally. HMRC do not, and cannot, check every taxpayer’s legal status – there are millions of workers, including non-EU students and work permit holders on visas which may or may not be still valid. The government has put the responsibility on employers to check if their staff have the right to work in the UK before they employ them.
Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the preventing illegal working section of the UKBA website or they can call the UK Border Agency’s employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.
Romanians and Bulgarians are a tricky area for employers because although they are EU members they are not treated the same as all other European Union citizens.
Despite warnings of huge fines, employers continue to flout the law by employing non-EU and some EU workers illegally.
Employers have little excuse for employing a non-EU migrant without the correct visa, but many are unaware that some EU member citizens, Bulgarians and Romanians, also need permission to work in the UK.
When it comes to working in the UK (and many other EU countries) Bulgarian and Romanian citizens do not have the same rights as other Europeans, for instance from Poland, Slovakia or other A8 Accession countries.
Bulgarians and Romanians coming to the UK can set up a business or obtain a student Yellow Card registration permit, which allows them to study and work full time if they are taking vocational courses such as NVQ or QCF courses in Health and Social Care.
After 1 year of continuous work on a student yellow card you can apply for a blue card using a BR1 form.
Unlike non-EU illegal workers, Bulgarians and Romanians do not seem to be penalised if caught working without permission, however both the worker and employers could be fined.
Even if you have made ‘mistakes’ in the past you can still apply for a yellow card as you are EU members.
27 yrs old romanian,married,both of us have yellow cards since last year,i worked continuoslly,my wife interrupted as we had a baby,would it be possible to apply for a blue card after 12 month with the same employer? thanks
You should be able to apply and include your Wife on your application after you have worked 12 months.
Hello there. Can I get a Blue card if I am not a student and haven’t ever worked in UK. Thank you in advance. ( I hold Romanian passport)
My name is John, I have the pink card and i will apply for a blue card , I have a question we did not specify that we are married!!but in the certificate of marriage is the same name in the pink card just as we did not specify that they are married is a problem?
expect an answer immediately!
In order for mw to get the yellow card..do I need to apply for a full time course or a short term course will do as well??
Thank you
You need to call the UKBA and get it sorted out.
You can do a short course (e.g. English) without a yellow card. However, if you want a Yellow Card in order to study and work you would be better off on a FT course running for at least a year, which would then help you qualify for a Blue Card It depends what you want to do.
Vocational courses such as NVQ or QCF have proved popular with Romanian and Bulgarian citizens exercising Treaty rights, as there are work placements.
See: 7 tips for completing a Yellow Card BR1 application to work and study in the UK
Majestic College offer special packages for EU students. They also have a number of employers looking for staff right now and are willing to employ Bulgarians and Romanians.
For more information call Joanna on 0208 207 1020 or email info@majesticcollege.org
Hi,
I would like to appply for self employment, but do not have a national inssurance nr. do I start working as a self employed and then apply for this? it’s a bit twisted..
And do I get a blue card after a year? Does this mean I can work where ever I want after?
Thank you
hi,
From 2 month I am trying to make an appointment for yellow card in Croydon. Every day, mornning and evening I am trying to apply online for an appointment and is failed. Have you any advice ?
Try looking at the site after normal office hours. It is not easy as so many Romanians and Bulgarians are applying for Yellow Cards, especially as student workers. You still have the postal option where you can send your BR1 to the UK Border Agency in Sheffield.