Checking a job applicant’s right to work
You must check that a job applicant is allowed to work for you in the UK before you employ them.
You can:
- check the applicant’s right to work online, if they’ve given you their share code
- check the applicant’s original documents
You can also check an applicant’s right to work by using an identity service provider that offers Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT).
British and Irish citizens cannot get an online share code to prove their right to work. You’ll need to check their original documents – for example, their passport or passport card – or use an identity service provider instead.
You do not need to do checks for existing employees from the EU, EEA or Switzerland if they came to the UK before 1 July 2021.
You’ll also need a sponsor licence to employ EEA and Swiss citizens coming to the UK to work from 1 January 2021.
You could face a civil penalty if you employ an illegal worker and have not carried out a correct right to work check.
Check a job applicant’s right to work: use their share code
Check details of a job applicant’s right to work in the UK, including:
- the types of work they’re allowed to do
- how long they can work in the UK for, if there’s a time limit
You’ll need the job applicant’s:
- date of birth
- right to work share code
Check if a document allows someone to work in the UK
Use this service to find out:
- which types of documents give someone the right to work in the UK
- what a right-to-work check involve for each of them
Use a different service to check a job applicant’s right to work if they’ve given you their share code. You will not need to check their documents as well.
We are a UK law firm based in Kidderminster, near Birmingham and our solicitors are fully authorized by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
For expert legal advice and services, contact AAN Joseph Solicitors on 015 6254 6550 or admin@ajs.org.uk
