Frontier Permit

If you want to work in the UK, but live in another country, you will need to apply for the Frontier Permit.
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Frontier Permit

People who wish to work in the UK while living permanently in another country will need to apply for a Frontier Permit. These are eligible for those who:

  • are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • live outside of the UK
  • began working in the UK by 31 December 2020

You must have worked in the UK at least once in a 12 month period since you started working here, even if you were unemployed for some of the period during each 12 month cycle.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for this permit, however may do so if they choose.  British citizens do not need to apply for this.

How can we help?

We have experience submitting successful applications on behalf of our clients. We pride ourselves on the presentation of our applications to the Home Office. You can be assured that your application process will be managed in a professional and organised manner.

Key contact

Usof Shah PNG
Usof Shah
Legal Director

What our clients say about us

We have also greatly benefited from the excellent work of Usof Shah, Immigration Director, whose expertise has been instrumental in helping our members address critical skills shortages in the construction industry. Usof has provided clear, actionable guidance on immigration laws, empowering our members to legally employ skilled foreign workers and sustain their businesses. His commitment extends beyond traditional legal services - he has delivered live webinars and offered free advice to some of our SME members, which was highly valued and, in several cases, helped save their companies. This combination of deep legal expertise, accessibility, and genuine care for clients' success sets him apart from others in the field.

Throughout my UK career, I came across many solicitors and solicitor firms. But Herrington Carmichael is the best so far. Their quick response, wider knowledge, and straightforward decisions come with a very competitive advisory fee. I can easily recommend them, and I did. Their success rate for me is 100%. In a nutshell, they are brilliant.

The individual deals with my requirements and makes sure I fully understand what he is advising and what the best way to proceed is.

Responsive, commercial, and able to explain immigration requirements in clear, simple terms.

The individuals we work with stand out for being approachable, knowledgeable, and responsive. Usof Shah, in particular, has been extremely professional, helpful, and practical in his advice.

Usof Shah stands out for his strong combination of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and responsiveness. He is able to explain complex immigration matters in a clear and practical way while remaining highly approachable and solutions-oriented throughout the process. What differentiates him from competitors is the level of personal attention and ownership he brings to matters. He is proactive, detail-oriented, and demonstrates a strong understanding of the operational and business needs of his clients rather than approaching matters from a purely technical perspective. I have particularly valued his responsiveness, clear communication, and ability to manage matters efficiently under tight timelines. He consistently provides pragmatic advice and maintains a high level of professionalism, which creates a strong sense of confidence and reliability throughout the engagement.

Usof Shah and his team stood out for their professionalism, responsiveness, and clear communication.

Herrington Carmichael’s team stands out for its strong expertise in immigration matters, combined with a highly personalized and responsive service. Over the past few years, they supported me and three members of my family, managing each of our individual cases efficiently and professionally. Compared to other firms, they are notably more organized and responsive.

Thank you for helping me to apply the exceptional assurance and I got the application succeed very quickly.

Usof was a pleasure to work with and his wealth of knowledge on the topic of immigration law was evident. We collaboratively delivered a successful webinar to hundreds of construction professionals on the post-Brexit immigration system and Usof was able to answer complex questions on the spot, demonstrating his attention to detail and professionalism. We would not hesitate to recommend Usof and Herrington Carmichael.

Usof Shah has been a great source of information and guidance both in setting up to become a sponsor and also in getting candidates sponsored.

The team provides useful guidance and support on the pitfalls and processes of being a sponsor. The team helps set everything up to become a sponsor as well as assisting with processing CoS applications.

Meet our experts

Dedicated professionals ready to assist you.

Usof Shah PNG
Legal Director
Neelu-Gurung-PNG
Paralegal

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your most pressing questions about our services and processes.

You will not qualify for a Frontier Permit. You will need to find an applicable workers visa to apply for.

You may enter the UK as a Frontier Worker. The permit proves your right to access benefits and services, such as the NHS healthcare.

You will need a digital version to prove your right to work and rent.

There is no fee associated with this permit.

You may be required to submit your biometric information (photograph and/or fingerprints) at an appointment at the visa application centre or UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. You will be told you need to attend an appointment during your application process.

No. They may be eligible to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme if they meet the requirements.

You will need a valid passport or national identity card.

Other documents needed will be stipulated during your application process based on the information you enter. Examples of documents they might require include:

  • an employment contract or a contract to work in the UK
  • payslips or invoices for UK-based work

Once you have applied and submitted all the required information, you will receive a notification with the decision.

The permit is valid for 5 years. If you applied with retained status, it will be valid for 2 years.

Yes. You will follow the same process each time.

No.