3.1.1.2 Glossary of immigration and nationality terms

A2 national

Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania that acceded to the European Union on 1 January 2007 (the A2 countries). Before 1 January 2014 they usually needed to obtain a work authorisation document before obtaining employment and would then be issued with an accession work card.

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A8 national

Nationals of eight of the ten countries that acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004 (the A8 countries). The eight countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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Application registration card

Credit card sized card issued to an asylum seeker by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) confirming identity and giving biographical details.

Association Agreement

Agreement between the European Union (EU) and another country. Generally concerning commercial and cultural links, they may also give the nationals of the non-EU country certain rights in the EU.

 More about using EC/EU association and co-operation agreements

Biometric Residence Permit

A biometric residence permit is a residence permit issued to foreign nationals from outside the EEA when they make certain successful immigration applications, such as leave to remain. The permit holds the migrant's personal details, including their fingerprints, and shows their immigration status and entitlements while they remain in the UK. Migrants applying for certain immigration categories which do not need a biometric residence permit will receive a sticker (vignette) in their passport.

Entry certificate

Entry clearance given to a non-visa national in the form of a sticker in the applicant’s passport.

 More about entry certificates