Online check
Manual check
Digital check using IDSP
The adjusted manual right to work check process ended on 1 October 2022. This article provides an overview of how to carry out right to work checks beyond this date. For answers to frequently asked questions on right to work checks, see "Right to work checks: FAQs".
Who is it for?
An online check is for holders of limited immigration permission or settled status, including eVisa holders, holders of biometric residence permits, biometric residence cards and frontier worker permits.
What is the general process?
The general process is as follows:
- The individual accesses "Prove your right to work to an employer" and provides their employer with a share code to access their online right to work profile.
- With the individual present in person or via live video link, the employer accesses "View a job applicant's right to work details" and checks that they have the right to work in the job for which they have been hired and that their appearance is in line with the details in the online profile.
- In a format that cannot be altered, the employer retains a copy of the right to work profile, any other required documents (eg, evidence of name change or term time information for students) and a confirmation of the visual check, including the date of the check and who carried it out.
Who is it for?
Manual checks are for holders of physical right to work documents who are not required to have an online check, including British and Irish citizens and holders of physical documents listed in the Home Office's right to work checklist.
What is the general process?
The general process is as follows:
- The individual provides the employer with their original document(s), either in person or by courier/post.
- With the individual present in person or via live video link, the employer checks that the document(s) appear genuine, that the individual has the right to work in the job for which they have been hired and that their appearance is in line with the details in the document(s).
- In a format that cannot be altered, the employer retains a full copy of the document(s), any other required documents (eg, evidence of name change) and a confirmation of the visual check and that the original documents were sighted, including the date of the check and who carried it out.
Who is it for?
A digital check using an identity service provider (IDSP) is for holders of valid British or Irish passports (including Irish passport cards).
What is the general process?
The general process is as follows:
- The employer provides the individual with access to IDSP's identity validation technology (IDVT) and they follow the instructions to capture their passport and facial features.
- With the individual present in person or via live video link, the employer checks that the IDVT output confirms the individual's right to work and that their appearance is in line with the details in the output report.
- In a format that cannot be altered, the employer retains a copy of the IDVT output, any other required documents (eg, evidence of name change) and a confirmation of the visual check including the date of the check and who carried it out.
For further information on this topic please contact Andrew Osborne, Supinder Singh Sian or Naomi Hanrahan-Soar at Lewis Silkin by telephone (+44 20 7074 8000) or email ([email protected], [email protected]m or [email protected]). The Lewis Silkin website can be accessed at www.lewissilkin.com.