Frontier Worker Permit UK

The Frontier Worker Permit is a post-Brexit immigration route designed to protect the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who were already working in the UK while living elsewhere before 31 December 2020. Unlike most current UK immigration routes, this is now a restricted permit. No new categories of applicants can enter the scheme; it exists solely to preserve the rights of those who qualified under the rules in place before the end of the Brexit transition period.

The permit allows eligible cross-border workers to continue coming to the UK for work without needing to apply for a Skilled Worker visa or another immigration route. For employers and HR professionals, the scheme remains relevant because existing permit holders are entitled to renew, and their status must be accounted for when conducting right to work checks and ensuring compliance with UK immigration law.

What this article is about: This guide explains the current position of the Frontier Worker Permit. It covers who still qualifies, the eligibility rules, how renewals work, the rights granted by the permit, and the compliance considerations for employers. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of the obligations and processes involved when employing or managing staff who hold a Frontier Worker Permit.

 

Section B: Eligibility Rules

 

The eligibility rules for the Frontier Worker Permit are highly specific and intentionally limited. This is because the permit was designed as a transitional protection, not as an ongoing immigration route. Employers and HR teams need to be clear on the eligibility conditions so they can identify which employees may hold such permits and understand whether their documentation remains valid for right to work purposes.

 

1. Historic qualifying conditions (work in UK before 31 December 2020)

 

The most fundamental requirement is that the individual must have begun working in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period, on 31 December 2020. The type of work performed must have been “genuine and effective” rather than marginal or ancillary. For example, holding a UK bank account or attending occasional meetings would not qualify. Instead, there must be a demonstrable pattern of employment or self-employment in the UK.

 

2. Residence and cross-border commuting requirements

 

A frontier worker is someone who resides outside the UK but travels into the UK for work. To qualify, the individual must live primarily in another EU, EEA or Swiss country and continue to maintain their residence there. The rules permit some flexibility — for instance, individuals can spend up to 180 days in the UK in a 12-month period without jeopardising their frontier worker status — but the central requirement is that their main home remains outside the UK.

 

3. Who cannot apply (non-qualifying circumstances)

 

Because this is a restricted legacy route, no new applicants can qualify unless they meet the historic conditions. This excludes anyone who first started working in the UK on or after 1 January 2021. UK nationals are not eligible, nor are non-EEA nationals. In addition, individuals who have since made the UK their primary place of residence will usually fall outside the scheme, as frontier worker status depends on continuing to live abroad while working in the UK.

 

4. Evidence needed to prove ongoing eligibility

 

Applicants and renewers must provide evidence of both their residence abroad and their pattern of work in the UK. This may include:

• Payslips or contracts of employment
• Tax records or business accounts for self-employed workers
• Proof of residence outside the UK, such as rental agreements, utility bills or official correspondence
• Travel evidence showing cross-border commuting

 

The Home Office applies strict evidential standards to confirm that the applicant continues to meet the requirements. In addition, a frontier worker may be able to retain status even if they are not currently working, for example if they are temporarily unable to work due to illness, maternity leave, or have involuntarily become unemployed. Failure to provide adequate documentation, however, can result in refusal or non-renewal of the permit.

Section Summary
Eligibility for the Frontier Worker Permit rests on historic conditions that are now closed to new entrants. The key tests are proof of having worked in the UK before 31 December 2020, continued residence in an EU, EEA or Swiss country, and the ability to demonstrate a pattern of genuine and effective work in the UK. Employers should be mindful that only a narrow group of workers remain eligible, and ongoing right to work checks must reflect the strict conditions of the permit.

 

Section C: Application and Renewal

 

Although the Frontier Worker Permit is a legacy scheme, the application and renewal processes remain important for those individuals who continue to rely on the permit for lawful entry to the UK for work. Employers may be asked to support employees with the required documentation or to understand timelines and risks that could affect ongoing employment.

 

1. Online application process and documents

 

Applications for the Frontier Worker Permit are made online via the UK Government’s official portal. Applicants must provide personal details, evidence of identity, proof of their ongoing residence outside the UK, and documents confirming their employment or self-employment in the UK. For most applicants, this process also involves verifying their identity using the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app, although some may need to attend a visa application centre to provide biometric information.

 

2. Renewal and extension rules

 

A Frontier Worker Permit is not indefinite. It is typically valid for five years if the holder is employed or self-employed. Where an individual is applying to retain their status — such as when they are temporarily unable to work due to illness, maternity, or involuntary unemployment — the permit may be issued for two years. Permit holders can apply to renew before their permit expires, provided they continue to meet the qualifying conditions of residence and cross-border work. There is no limit to the number of times the permit can be renewed, meaning eligible individuals can, in principle, continue renewing indefinitely as long as they maintain their frontier worker status.

 

3. Fees, processing times and validity periods

 

Unlike most immigration routes, there is currently no fee for applying for or renewing a Frontier Worker Permit. Applicants also do not need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Processing times are usually relatively quick compared with standard visas, though applicants are advised to allow several weeks in case of delays. Once issued, the permit is valid for the designated period stated in the decision letter and permit card.

 

4. What happens if eligibility lapses

 

If a frontier worker no longer meets the criteria — for example, if they move to the UK permanently, cease working in the UK, or fail to maintain sufficient evidence of their cross-border commuting — their permit will not be renewed. In such cases, the individual would need to consider alternative visa options if they wish to continue working in the UK. For employers, this creates a risk of sudden loss of a worker’s lawful status, underlining the importance of ongoing monitoring and right to work checks.

Section Summary
The application and renewal process for the Frontier Worker Permit remains available, but only to those who already qualified under the historic conditions. Applications are free of charge and can be renewed indefinitely, provided the individual continues to meet the residence and work requirements. For employers, awareness of the renewal process and the risks of lapsing eligibility is essential to ensuring workforce stability and avoiding compliance breaches.

 

Section D: Rights and Employer Compliance

 

Frontier Worker Permits remain highly relevant for employers and HR teams because they determine the lawful right of certain EU, EEA and Swiss nationals to work in the UK. While the scheme is restricted, businesses must ensure that they understand the rights granted by the permit and their own compliance obligations in relation to frontier workers.

 

1. Right to work checks for frontier workers

 

Employers must conduct a compliant right to work check before employment starts and repeat it when permission is due to expire. For frontier workers, use the Home Office online right to work service with a share code provided by the worker and record the check outcome, date, and the person who carried it out. The status shown online, not the physical card alone, establishes a statutory excuse. Ensure the name and photo match the prospective employee and retain the check record securely for audit.

 

2. Employment rights and access to services

 

Frontier Worker Permit holders may work in any sector and change employer without sponsorship. They hold broad employment rights under UK law while working here, but the immigration permission does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain and does not create residence rights beyond frontier worker status. Access to services and benefits is limited and conditional on meeting the scheme’s rules; if status lapses, work rights cease.

 

3. Employer obligations and record-keeping

 

HR teams should diarise permit expiry dates, schedule repeat checks before expiry, and keep clear evidence of each online right to work check (including the profile page confirming work rights and the date the check was completed). Where a worker’s permission is time-limited, carry out a follow‑up check before the permission end date. If a worker presents evidence of a renewal application, assess whether a statutory excuse continues (for example, by using the Employer Checking Service where appropriate) and keep records of outcomes.

 

4. Risks of non-compliance and penalties

 

Employing someone without valid permission can result in civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, potential criminal liability for knowing employment of an illegal worker, loss or downgrading of any sponsor licence held, and reputational harm. Non‑compliance identified during Home Office visits can also affect future sponsor licence applications or renewals. Embed internal controls so frontier worker permissions are verified, monitored, and renewed in good time.

Section Summary
The permit gives eligible holders unsponsored work rights but places clear obligations on employers to verify and monitor status via the Home Office online service. Robust record‑keeping and timely repeat checks reduce the risk of penalties and operational disruption.

 

FAQs

 

Can new applicants apply for a Frontier Worker Permit?

 

No. The Frontier Worker Permit is a restricted legacy route. It is only available to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who began working in the UK before 31 December 2020. Anyone who started cross-border work after this date cannot apply.

Can existing holders renew indefinitely?

 

Yes, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. There is no cap on the number of times a permit can be renewed, but holders must maintain residence outside the UK and show evidence of ongoing work in the UK.

Do permit holders qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

 

No. The Frontier Worker Permit does not lead to settlement. Even if the individual has been commuting for many years, they cannot transition to ILR through this route. They would need to consider another immigration pathway if they wish to settle in the UK.

Can family members apply?

 

No. The permit does not extend to family members. Each individual must qualify in their own right based on work and residence requirements. Family members wishing to live or work in the UK must look to other visa routes.

What happens if the permit holder stops working in the UK?

 

If the holder no longer meets the requirements — for example, they stop working, move to the UK permanently, or otherwise fail to maintain frontier worker status — their permit will not be renewed. Employers should be alert to this risk, as it could result in the sudden loss of an employee’s right to work.

 

Conclusion

 

The Frontier Worker Permit is a product of the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system. It was created to protect the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who had already established cross-border work patterns in the UK before 31 December 2020. Its restricted legacy status means no new applicants can qualify, but existing holders may continue to rely on the scheme provided they maintain eligibility.

For employers, the scheme carries clear compliance implications. Right to work checks must be performed using the Home Office online service, renewal dates must be monitored, and accurate records must be kept. While permit holders enjoy broad employment rights, they cannot progress to settlement through this route, and their status remains conditional on maintaining cross-border residence and genuine work activity.

Businesses employing frontier workers should remain vigilant, ensuring HR processes account for the permit’s requirements. By doing so, employers can mitigate risk, avoid penalties, and maintain a compliant workforce while continuing to benefit from the contributions of their frontier worker employees.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Frontier Worker	An EU, EEA or Swiss national who lives outside the UK but works in the UK, and who began this cross-border pattern of work before 31 December 2020.
EEA Nationals	Citizens of EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, who previously benefited from freedom of movement in the UK.
Legacy Visa Route	An immigration route that is closed to new applicants but remains open for renewals or extensions for those who already qualified.
Right to Work Checks	The legal process employers must follow to verify that an employee has lawful immigration status allowing them to work in the UK.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	Immigration status that grants permanent residence in the UK, which the Frontier Worker Permit does not provide.

 

Useful Links

 

Resource	Link
GOV.UK – Frontier Worker Permit guidance	https://www.gov.uk/frontier-worker-permit
GOV.UK – Right to Work checks guidance	https://www.gov.uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work
Home Office – Employer right to work guidance	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties
DavidsonMorris – Frontier Worker Permit guide	https://www.davidsonmorris.com/frontier-worker-permit/
Xpats.io – Frontier Worker Permit guide	https://www.xpats.io/frontier-worker-permit/