Presence in the Common Travel Area

UK nationals, third country nationals, EEA and Swiss nationals who:

• have moved to the UK since the beginning of 2021; and
• are applying for PADP

must be present in the Common Travel Area at the date an application is made (3 PADP Regs, Reg 9 (1) (d)).

There are some exceptions:

• serving members of the armed forces or civil servants working abroad, or their families; and
• mariners, aircraft workers and continental shelf workers do not need to be physically present in the CTA on the date of their application.

Any absences in accordance with the rules on temporary absence can be treated as though the individual is actually present in the Common Travel Area (PADP Regs, Regs 11 and 12).