At First Law Solicitors, we provide clear and strategic legal advice for European nationals who continue to work in the United Kingdom while living elsewhere.
The Frontier Worker Permit is a crucial post-Brexit immigration route that allows eligible EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals to maintain their right to work in the UK while residing in another country. This route safeguards those who built professional ties in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period and wish to continue contributing to the UK economy without full residence.
Our solicitors combine deep legal insight with practical, cross-border expertise to ensure continued access to the UK labour market with complete compliance and peace of mind.
The Frontier Worker Permit was introduced following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union to preserve the rights of those who began working in the UK before 31 December 2020 but live primarily outside the country.
This permit allows eligible individuals to enter the UK to work, study, or provide services without requiring sponsorship or a Skilled Worker visa. It is designed for those who travel regularly for business or professional reasons but maintain their residence elsewhere.
To qualify, an applicant must:
Applicants who have temporarily stopped working due to illness, maternity, or unemployment may retain their status under specific retention conditions set out in Appendix Frontier Worker of the Immigration Rules.
Our solicitors carefully analyse employment records, travel histories, and tax documentation to ensure that your continuity of work is properly evidenced before applying or renewing your permit.
Frontier Worker Permit holders enjoy several advantages:
They can enter and work in the United Kingdom freely without sponsorship.
They may work for multiple UK employers or as self-employed professionals.
They are eligible for certain benefits, healthcare, and housing assistance in line with UK regulations.
They may continue to live outside the UK while maintaining their professional connection to it.
The permit does not grant permanent residence or a direct path to settlement, but it ensures stability and lawful access to work for those with established ties.
A Frontier Worker Permit is typically valid for five years for employed workers and two years for self-employed individuals.
Renewal requires evidence that the individual has continued to meet the eligibility and work requirements throughout the validity period.
Applications are made online and processed through the UKVI digital system. Since 1 January 2026, all permits are issued as digital eVisas. Physical permits are no longer in circulation.
Our solicitors manage the entire renewal process, including verification of your employment continuity and digital identity compliance under the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA).
From January 2026, all Frontier Worker Permits operate within the UK’s Digital Status framework. This means your immigration status is held securely in a UKVI digital account, which can be shared electronically with employers or authorities using a share code.
The DUAA 2025 modernised this system, creating a secure legal basis for data exchange between the Home Office and other government departments. At First Law Solicitors, we use Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) and encrypted client portals to ensure that your application and supporting evidence are transmitted securely and remain compliant with the new digital standards.
If you have temporarily stopped working in the United Kingdom, you may still retain your Frontier Worker status under specific conditions, including:
We provide clear legal advice on maintaining your permit even during these gaps, preventing accidental loss of rights due to administrative error or misunderstanding of the new digital system.
Precision and Continuity: We maintain a complete audit trail of your UK work history to safeguard your right to renew or retain your permit.
Cross-Border Expertise: Our solicitors advise both individual professionals and corporate clients across the EU who rely on cross-jurisdictional workforce mobility.
Digital Compliance: We manage your application entirely through secure, DUAA-compliant digital channels, reducing risk and processing delays.
Future Planning: We assess your long-term immigration options, including alternative routes to settlement such as Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas.
At First Law Solicitors, we ensure that your professional ties to the United Kingdom remain secure, compliant, and uninterrupted.
If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who works in the United Kingdom while living abroad, contact First Law Solicitors for expert legal advice on your Frontier Worker Permit application or renewal.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation.
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