Frontier Worker Permit

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What is the frontier worker?

The frontier worker is a provision that allows a European national who resides in another country but has a job in the UK to travel to the UK for the purpose of their employment. The person will have a right to work, rent property and access benefits and NHS, but does not lead to settlement. If you intend to settle permanently you would be best advised to obtain a skilled worker visa or apply under the EU Settlement Scheme.

How can I apply for a frontier worker permit?

If you are from the EU and live outside the UK and started working in the UK by 31 December 2020 you will qualify. If you were not working in the UK by 31 December you will need to apply for a work visa rather than a frontier work permit.

What are the residency requirements?

Under the Frontier Worker Permit Rules the applicant must live primarily in a country outside the UK. It will be decided on the basis of the amount of time you have spent in the UK since 1 January 2020. If you have spent less than 180 days over the course of any 12 month period since 1 January 2020 you will qualify. If you have spent more than 180 days you will have to demonstrate that during the 12 month period you returned to the country you live in at least every six months or twice in the 12 month period.

What are the work requirements?

You must have started working in the UK whilst living in another European country before 1 January 2021. You can be employed or self employed.

The Home Office would like to see what job you intend to carry out and you will have to show that you have worked in the UK as an employee or in self employed role at least once in every twelve months. If you have not been able to work in the UK or have been unemployed in the UK it may still be possible to require the visa if you can show that you are unable to work due to illness, accident, pregnancy, Covid-19 or voluntary unemployed or undertaking vocational training or involuntary unemployed but you are looking for work.

How to apply for a frontier work permit?

The application is made online and you can apply using your passport, employment contract and evidence of employment such as payslip or invoices for work carried out in the UK. There is no application fee for this visa and you will not be required to pay a health-care immigration surcharge.

What is the validity of frontier work permit?

They usually grant it for five years and it is possible to extend it, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirement.

Can I do charity work?

An EU national doing unpaid charity work does not qualify as a worker. They may be considered to be a worker if they are doing charity work that involves taking part in the commercial activities of the charity for which they receive payment, such as living expenses and accommodation.

Are there minimum amount of hours that I need to work?

There is no minimum amount of hours which the applicant must be working in the UK, but the work has to be genuine and effective and not marginal and ancillary to the situation in the UK. Marginal and ancillary means work carried out in the UK which involves little time and money, as to be largely relevant to the lifestyle of the applicant whilst in the UK.

Danielle invites you to take a look at her blog, where you will see the diverse range of clients that she has helped.

If you have any questions about the process or would like to apply for a scale up visa please contact Danielle or call on 020 7267 4133. Danielle will only charge you for the first consultation if you decide to become her client and if she can assist you.