The Worker Registration Scheme is a transitional scheme, which was introduced in 2004 when the following countries (known as the ‘A8′ countries) joined the European Union:

• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia

The  Worker Registration Scheme is to close on 30 April 2011 and therefore the restrictions on workers who come to the UK from the A8 Accession countries will cease to apply with effect from 1st  May 2011. Thus, nationals of these countries coming to the UK will no longer be required to register under the Worker Registration Scheme and they will be free to live and work in the UK on the same basis as nationals from any other EU country (except Bulgaria and Romania, which still have restrictions).

These changes are implemented by the Accession (Immigration and Worker Registration) (Revocation, Savings and Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2011, which come into effect on 1 May 2011.