Frontier workers permit scheme (UK)
Free Movement Implications of the UK’s EU Exit
From 31st December 2020 onwards EU citizens who were, and continue to be cross-border workers, (living south and working north) need a UK Frontier Workers Permit to continue working in Northern Ireland. (The permit bypasses the UK visa system!)
The scheme is online and free, and the permits must be renewed every 5 years, or 2 years if you apply with retained worker status.
Some people who were previously frontier workers may have retained their worker status if one of the following applies:
- you are or were temporarily unable to work because of an illness or accident, or due Covid -19 travel restrictions
- you were working in the UK but are now involuntarily unemployed, and are looking for work in the UK
- you’re in vocational training while involuntarily unemployed
- you’re in vocational training while unemployed, and the training is related to the work you carried out in your previous work
- you’re temporarily unable to work as a result of pregnancy or childbirth
- you’re on maternity or paternity leave, and you will return to your previous employment, or find another job, at the end of this period your permit will last for 5 years
If you’ve worked in the UK for less than one year before becoming involuntarily unemployed, you can only retain your worker status as someone who is looking for work, for 6 months.
Irish citizens already have approval to work in NI/UK under the Common Travel Area so they do not need to apply to the scheme, but they can if they wish. It’s worth noting CTA rights are not exactly the same as EU rights.
British citizens (living south and working north) cannot apply. This includes dual British-Irish citizens.
Frontier working from 1 January 2021
From 1 January 2021 onwards, non-British, non-Irish workers who wish to begin employment in the UK need to apply through the UK’s points-based immigration system. Check which type of visa you’ll need.
Further information
Page last checked: 19 July 2024
This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.
If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
