You can use this form if you’re a self-employed individual or their agent.

Use this form if you’re working temporarily in:

• an EU country
• Gibraltar
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Switzerland

You cannot apply more than 12 months in advance.

What you’ll need

To complete the form, you’ll need the following information:

• your country and place of birth
• your name and details of any previous names
• which nationalities you hold
• the address of your self-employed business
• the type of work you carry out both in the UK and abroad
• if you’ll be maintaining your UK self-employment whilst working abroad, for example if you’re:
  • keeping your UK business’s office
  • keeping your equipment
  • maintaining your registration
  • continuing to advertise your UK business

You may also need to include if you:

• have a husband, wife or partner who has an EU Settlement Scheme status
• hold a non-UK nationality you got before 1 January 2021
• hold a right to work in the UK — if you do, you’ll need to know what type of right to work you hold and if you held this right before 1 January 2021
• have a current right to reside in an EU country, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, if you do, you’ll need to know if you held this right before 1 January 2021
• have lived or worked in an EU country, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland before 1 January 2021
• have been self-employed in the UK for less than 2 months before your start date abroad, if so, you’ll need the start date of your UK self-employment
• work on a continental shelf area
• will be resident in an EU country, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, and if you have dependants living with you who also need healthcare cover — if so, you’ll need the following details for each of your dependants:
  • name
  • date of birth
  • their working status (if they are over 16 years old)

If you work onboard a vessel at sea you’ll need to know:

• if the vessel can move independently
• which countries flag is flown on the vessel

If you’re applying for a certificate for a period longer than allowed, you’ll need a signed statement. The signed statement should cover why you want to continue paying UK National Insurance while working abroad and how it’s in your best interest.

If you’re an agent

If you’re an agent working on behalf of your client, your client needs to fill in an authorising your agent (64-8) form.

You should attach the completed form to your CA3837 application form.

Applying for an extension to an existing certificate

You’ll need to know the date the existing certificate expires and any changes in your circumstances since your previous application.

If the total time period for the existing certificate and the extension is longer than allowed for, you’ll need a signed statement. This will only apply if you are covered by certain agreements.

The signed statement should cover why you want to continue paying UK National Insurance while working abroad and how it’s in your best interest.

How to apply

Apply online

You’ll need to apply using one of the following:

• a Government Gateway user ID and password — if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you apply
• an email address

If you’re an agent applying on behalf of your client, you should use your own Government Gateway user ID and password.

Apply now

Apply by post

1. You need to open and complete this form online. As you cannot save your progress, you may want to get all your information together before you start.

2. Fill in the form on screen.

3. Print and post it to HMRC, using the postal address shown on the form.

Email HMRC to ask for this form in Welsh.

After you apply

You should let HMRC know immediately of any change in employment circumstances, particularly if the intended period of work abroad does not take place, or ends before the intended date.

HMRC may check your circumstances throughout the period you’re working abroad to make sure that you can pay UK National Insurance contributions.