What about permits, visas etc for workers?
Since the 1st of May 2004 work permits are not required by workers from any of the A8 countries (Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia and Slovenia). Residents of the A8 countries may be employed without any prior permission or requirement. Once employed, the worker must register with the Home Office under the Worker Registration Scheme within one month of starting employment. Full details can be found on the Worker Registration Scheme website (www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/wrs/employers).
While workers are employed by us we ensure that they are registered. Once they are employed by you, you will have to ensure that they are registered. Every time they change their employment they need to register with that employer. Once the person has completed 12 months of employment in the UK without a break of more than 30 days (excluding paid holiday) the requirement to register ceases, and the person can then apply for resident status.
If they do not already have a NI number they should make application for a NI number as soon as possible, however there is no specific time limit for doing this. It is perfectly legal to employ workers without NI numbers. The worker or someone else on his/her behalf has to telephone 0845 600 0643 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday to arrange for a National Insurance number (NINO) appointment. The appointment will be usually at the local Job Centre.
The purpose of the interview is to check the identity of the person and to confirm his right to work in the UK. The worker will be sent a letter giving details of when and where the appointment will be and what documents the workers has to bring to the appointment. Some two or three weeks after the interview the National Insurance number will be sent by post to the applicant.
Meanwhile it is perfectly in order for you to employ the person. You will find that payroll software, such as Sage, will create a temporary NI number. More details can be found on the Department of Works and Pensions website (www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/ni_number.asp).
