This page explains how contract seamen employed on fishing vessels operating in UK territorial waters are affected by UK immigration law, and describes how they can apply to us for permission to enter or stay and work here.

Employment within UK territorial waters (within the 12-mile limit) is subject to immigration control. If you are a national of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and you want to work on fishing vessels that operate to any extent within UK territorial waters, you require permission to do this from the UK Border Agency.

The crewing policy of EEA-flagged or wholly EEA-owned fishing vessels is a matter for the EEA member state. Non-EEA crews of such vessels do not require our authorisation for employment, but they do remain subject to immigration control in all other respects.

With effect from 1 September 2011, the Minister for Immigration has authorised an extension to the temporary concession, exceptionally and outside the Immigration Rules, to allow a limited number of non-EEA crew to be employed (subject to strict criteria) on fishing vessels operating in UK territorial waters.

The concession re opened on 1 September 2011. Applications will be accepted until 31 October 2011 and is only open to those who were already benefitting from the concession up to 31 August 2011. It will permit employment, subject to the terms of the individual's contract, for a period ending no later than 1 September 2012. After this date, the concession will end and all applicants must leave the UK.

If we give you permission to stay in the UK under the concession, this permission will expire at the latest on 1 September 2012.

To find out whether you can apply under this temporary concession, see the eligibility page.