§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to determine whether self-employed tradesmen who are not UK nationals may enter the UK; and in what circumstances these criteria may be waived in(a) part and (b) full. [161814]
§ Mr. BrowneThe requirements for entry under the European Community Association Agreements (ECAA) are set out in the Immigration Rules at paragraphs 211–216. The current Immigration Rules are HC395 (as amended).
Persons already legally in the UK can "switch" into the ECAA category. In these cases the above requirements do not apply. Instead, applicants must comply with the after entry requirements set out at Paragraphs 217–221 of the Immigration Rules.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for work permits from self-employed businessmen from EU accession countries were successful in each month of the last three years, broken down by country of origin. [161815]
§ Mr. BrowneWork permits are not issued in respect of self-employment. The work permit arrangements are employer-driven, and applications can only be made by UK-based employers on behalf of the individual they wish to employ.