How to Complete a Right to Work Verification
Depending on the type of document your candidate has to confirm their Right to Work in the UK, they will be able to complete this check digitally, and if the check is processed successfully you will not be required to verify their Right to Work documents. However, in some instances your candidate may not be able to complete the check digitally which is why you are being prompted to verify their documents instead.
When verifying your candidates Right to Work check it is important that you follow the instructions below:
- Ensure the photos are the same across all documents and look like your candidate
- Check the dates of birth are the same across all documents
- Check the documents are in date
- If 2 documents give different names, check the candidate has provided supporting documents showing why they are different, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree
- Check you are satisfied the document is genuine, has not been tampered with and belongs to the holder
If your candidate is not a British or Irish citizen, you will also need to check that:
- the dates for the candidate’s right to work in the UK have not expired
- the candidate has permission to do the type of work you’re offering (including any limit on the number of hours they can work)
- for students you see evidence of their study and vacation times
What documents can you accept for a Right to Work check?
Non Time Limited Documents
British Passport
A passport (current or expired) showing the holder is a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies having the right of abode in the UK.
Irish Passport or Passport Card
A passport or passport card (in either case, whether current or expired) showing that the holder is an Irish citizen.
Immigration Status Document – with indefinite leave to remain (Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man)
A document issued by the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man, which has been verified as valid by the Home Office Employer Checking Service, showing that the holder has been granted unlimited leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU(J) to the Jersey Immigration Rules, Appendix EU to the Immigration (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules2008 or Appendix EU to the Isle of Man Immigration Rules.
Endorsed Passport
A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
Immigration Status Document & Proof of National Insurance – with indefinite leave to remain
A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
Birth / Adoption Certificate & Proof of National Insurance (UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or Ireland)
A birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
A Certificate of Registration or Naturalization & Proof of National Insurance
A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
Time Limited Documents
Current Endorsed Passport – Time Limited
A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and is currently allowed to do the type of work in question.
Immigration status Document - Time Limited
A document issued by the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man, which has been verified as valid by the Home Office Employer Checking Service, showing that the holder has been granted limited leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU(J) to the Jersey Immigration Rules, Appendix EU to the Immigration (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules 2008 or Appendix EU to the Isle of Man Immigration Rules.
Immigration status Document & Proof of National Insurance – Restricted Work
A current Immigration Status Document containing a photograph issued by the Home Office to the holder with a valid endorsement indicating that the named person may stay in the UK, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
Documents Valid for 6 Months
Immigration status Document & PVN (Home office issued before June 2021) - Valid for 6 months
A document issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules (known as the EU Settlement Scheme) on or before 30June 2021 together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
A Certificate of Application After June 2021 - Valid for 6 months
A Certificate of Application (non-digital) issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules (known as the EU Settlement Scheme), on or after 1 July 2021, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
Immigration status Document & PVN (Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man) - Valid for 6 months
A document issued by the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU(J) to the Jersey Immigration Rules or Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules 2008, or Appendix EU to the Isle of Man Immigration Rules together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
Application Registration Card & PVN
An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office stating that the holder is permitted to take the employment in question, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
Positive verification notice
A Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question.