FRONTIER WORKER PERMIT UK

If you’re an EEA or Swiss national who began working in the UK before 31 December 2020, but live primarily outside the UK, you may be eligible for a Frontier Worker Permit. This permit enables you to continue cross-border work in the UK without needing to apply for a standard work visa under the points-based system.

You must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• Not primarily resident in the UK
• Have started working in the UK by 31 December 2020 
• Have worked in the UK at least once every 12 months since
• Be employed, self-employed, or meet the definition of a retained worker

You may retain your status if you stopped working temporarily due to:

• Illness or accident
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Involuntary unemployment with job-seeking or training
• Inability to work due to COVID-19 restrictions

To prove you’re not primarily resident in the UK, you must show:

• You spent fewer than 180 days in the UK during the 12 months before 31 December 2020
• You returned to your country of residence at least once in the past six months or twice in the past year.

You must demonstrate genuine and effective work in the UK, not one-off tasks such as attending interviews or signing contracts.

Acceptable work includes:

• Regular employment for a UK-based company
• Self-employment in the UK with evidence of regular activity
• Continued activity aligned with your pre-2021 work pattern

•  Apply online via the Home Office
• Submit supporting documents to prove work history and identity
• Most applicants can verify their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app

Required documents may include:

•  Passport or national ID
• Employment contract or client agreements
• Payslips or invoices
• Doctor’s letter or proof of job search (for retained status)

There’s no fee to apply for the Frontier Worker Permit, and applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. However, you may need to pay a small fee to submit your biometric information (photograph or fingerprints), depending on how your identity is verified during the application process.

•  5 years for employed/self-employed workers
• 2 years for retained workers
• Permit must be renewed before it expires
• You may not qualify for settlement due to non-residency

You must maintain your cross-border working pattern to stay eligible. If your circumstances change, such as moving to the UK permanently, you may lose your permit.

Applications can be refused due to:

• Not meeting the eligibility criteria
• Failure to provide adequate documentation
• Misuse of the scheme (e.g. artificial work arrangements)
• Concerns related to public policy, security, or previous loss of status

The rules around cross-border employment have changed. If you want to protect your right to work in the UK while living abroad,
it’s vital to understand the conditions of the Frontier Worker Permit and renew it properly.
At Cromwell Wilkes, our immigration lawyers will help you navigate each step from eligibility to application and beyond.

Contact us today for personalised legal advice and take the first step toward starting your career in the UK.