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Advice for employers carrying out right to work checks

Advice for employers carrying out right to work checks

The temporary changes to Right to work Checks were made on 30th March 2020 and have now been extended until 5th April 2022 (inclusive).

The temporary measure in place are as follows:

  • Right to work checks can currently be carried out over video calls
  • Job applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals
  • Employers should use the Home Office Employer Checking Service  if a prospective or existing employee cannot provide any of the accepted documents

Checks continue to be necessary and you must continue to check the prescribed documents set out in right to work checks: an employer’s guide   or use the Home Office right to work online service. It remains an offence to knowingly employ anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK.

The end date for the temporary adjusted checks has been extended to 5th April 2022 (inclusive). The decision to defer the date is due the positive feedback received about the ability to conduct checks remotely.

The intention is to introduce a new digital solution in future to include many who are unable to use the Home Office online checking service, including UK and Irish citizens. This will enable checks to continue to be conducted remotely but with enhanced security.

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