Frontier Worker permit
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Work
What it is
Permit for EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who work in the UK but live mainly elsewhere, retaining rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Up to 5 years, renewable.
- Processing time
- See gov.uk processing times.
- Maximum validity
- 5 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Dependants
- No
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (application fee - free)
- GBP 0
- Health surcharge (IHS exempt (Frontier Worker permit))
- GBP 0 per year
Key requirements
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
- Began frontier working in the UK by 31 December 2020
- Primarily resident outside the UK
Working on this visa
Your work in the UK must be 'genuine and effective'. This means it must be more than small, one-off tasks, such as: an interview; taking part in a one-off competition or audition; signing a contract.
Bringing family
Follow-on sentence: 'Your family member may be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for settled or pre-settled status.'
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.