Adjusted right to work checks to continue

In response to the positive feedback the Home Office says it has received about being able to conduct right to work checks remotely, the end date for the temporary adjusted checks has now been deferred to 5 April 2022. This means that employers can continue to carry out checks over video calls and job applicants and workers can send scanned documents rather than originals for checks.  The Home Office Employer Checking Service continues to function as usual where the individual can’t provide any of the accepted documents.  

Reminder of how to check an individual’s right to work using the temporary COVID-19 adjusted check measures:

Up to and including 5 April 2022, if you are carrying out a temporary adjusted check, you must:

• ask the worker to submit a scanned copy or a photo of their original documents via email or using a mobile app
• arrange a video call with the worker – ask them to hold up the original documents to the camera and check them against the digital copy of the documents record the date you made the check and mark it as “adjusted check undertaken on [insert date] due to COVID-19
• if the worker has a current Biometric Residence Permit or Biometric Residence Card or has been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme or the points-based immigration system you can use the online right to work checking service while doing a video call – the applicant must give you permission to view their details.

It remains an offence to knowingly employ anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK with a penalty of £20,000 per individual.

Click here to read the updated guidance.