Recently, on 1st January 2021, the United Kingdom introduced a new points-based immigration system. The new immigration laws brought some considerable changes that frontier workers must be aware of. Frontier Worker Permit Scheme is one such change, and here is brief information on the same:
Who is a Frontier Worker?
Residents of EEA, Switzerland, EU who are either employed or self-employed in the UK under a work visa and not registered as primary resident in the UK are counted as Frontier Workers. They are also known as cross-border commuters.
Here is how one is not considered primarily resident in the UK if at a specific time they can demonstrate any of the following:
- An individual has been staying in the country for less than 180 days a year before filing an application for a UK work visa.
- A person has returned to his/her native country at least once in 6 months or twice in 12 months prior to forward an application.
Frontier Worker Permit Scheme
The UK government updated the Frontier Worker Permit Scheme by reforming the immigration laws on 10th December 2020. Those who have been working in the country before 31st December 2020 with a frontier worker status are allowed to apply for a frontier worker permit under immigration laws and the UK work visa changes. One can apply for the permit free of cost. There is not even the need to pay for the immigration health surcharge. Applicants might have to pay for submitting biometric information, including fingerprints, photographs etc.
Documents Needed to Apply for a Frontier Worker Permit
In order to get a frontier worker permit, an applicant must have a valid passport or national identity card. Several other documents are required to submit depending on whether the applicant is employed or self-employed. For employed people, an employment contract in the UK is acceptable. For those who are self-employed, payslips or copies of invoices (for work done in the UK) are acceptable.
In case of having retained status, one must be directed for evidence. For instance, if an applicant is not able to work for one year due to health issues, he/ she can provide a medical letter.
How to Apply for Frontier Worker Permit in the UK?
If you are already a frontier worker as per the above-mentioned criteria, you will have to get a permit for entering the UK beyond 1st July 2021. Till then, you are free to use your national identity card or passport to enter.
One must apply online; while filling an application, authorities may ask applicants to attend an appointment at UK Visa Application Centre or at a UKVCAS (UK Visa Citizenship Application Service) point to ensure you sail through the new immigration laws.
Generally, there is no need to get an appointment because everything is being tech-savvy today. Applicants can simply use their smartphones and ensure that they have an ID card with a biometric chip or passport.
Still, find it confusing? Let immigration solicitors London help.
Though the advent of smartphones has made things easier to a great length, complexities still exist when it comes to UK work visa and immigration laws. If you are having even the slightest of doubts on whether or not you can handle the frontier worker permit scheme application on your own, then try taking help from immigration solicitors in London.
At Osbourne Pinner, we have been helping people with easy and seamless UK work visa for years. We are esteemed to state that all our professionals stay up-to-date and well-versed with the reforms or changes that take place. We can take care of the new frontier worker permit scheme application as well. From guiding you what it allows and what it does not to submitting and tracking your application, we will do it all.
