A new Brexit controversy arises between the United Kingdom and the European Union in the context of the British government’s reintroduction of work visas for British citizens – citizens of Eastern EU countries, including Romania, will pay slightly higher visa fees, write Politics.
Citizens of 25 countries, including 21 in the EU, receive $ 55 in tax deductions for applying for a work visa in the UK, with the target categories being entrepreneurs, health workers, researchers or temporary employees.
In addition, British employers from these countries no longer have to pay a fee of £ 199 to issue a “sponsorship certificate”, which increases the motivation for employers to seek work in these countries more than others.
Romania is one of the countries that does not enjoy these exemptions. All the eastern countries of the camp – Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia.
Some visa-discriminating countries have sought the assistance of the European Commission, arguing that Brussels cannot allow this situation, which violates the policy of non-discrimination between European bloc countries.
“In our view, this different treatment should be carefully checked. Citizens in five member states do not need to pay $ 55 more than other European citizens for this problem, but with a clearly different treatment,” said one European diplomat.
The British Government promotes its policy on the basis of the Social Charter of the Council of Europe, an international treaty adopted in 1961 and signed by 26 countries, including the United Kingdom.
Under Section 18.2 of this Agreement, countries are obliged to “simplify existing procedures among themselves and reduce or abolish presidential taxes paid by foreign workers and their employers.”
Europeans argue that there are also signatories to the charter who do not declare themselves bound by Article 18.2 but are exempt from paying the full tax. However, the UK insists that its policy is based on the Council of Europe’s initial agreement, and that reducing visa costs for countries that are not part of an international agreement would be discriminatory.
However, member states are pressuring the European Commission to react, arguing that this is the first example of discrimination in post-Brexit immigration rules. They warn that the Kingdom is likely to discriminate in other areas as well.
Author: Adrian Dumitru
“Food trailblazer. Passionate troublemaker. Coffee fanatic. General analyst. Certified creator. Lifelong music expert. Alcohol specialist.”