European Union (EU) has advised UK to change some new post-Brexit laws because not all member states are subject to the same rules and fees when applying for post-Brexit work visas in the UK.
Five EU countries face more expensive charges than other member states, which has prompted an outcry from impacted countries.
Having left the EU, the UK is no longer part of the bloc’s freedom of movement, which allows EU nationals to look and apply for jobs in another country without the need for a work permit.
As a result, EU nationals must now apply for a work visa in order to take up a job in the UK.
However, European countries have been furious to find the fees charged are not the same for all members of the bloc and have demanded the rules be changed.
Under current rules, the citizens of 25 countries, including 21 in the EU, are subject to a £55 discount in fees when applying for jobs in specific areas, just as health care staff, researchers, charity workers and temporary workers such as fruit pickers.
Employers recruiting from these countries are also eligible for a discount, as companies are not required to pay the £199 fee needed to issue a certificate of sponsorship to hire them.
Five EU countries are not eligible for the reduced fees: Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia.
Irish citizens do not require working visas, as they form part of the Common Travel Area with the UK.
