New video to assist UK businesses with right to work checks changes

A new video has been developed by the Home Office to assist employers in carrying out right to work checks.

On 1 July 2021, the process for completing right to work checks changed.

Employers are no longer able to accept EU passports or ID cards as valid proof of right to work for new staff, with the exception of Irish citizens. Instead, an online check for job applicants that hold digital proof of their immigration status in the UK, known as an eVisa, must be conducted. This applies to most EU citizens, including those with settled or pre-settled status, those with a Hong Kong BNO visa and some other nationalities who have moved to the UK more recently under the points-based immigration system.

A manual check can be completed for UK and Irish nationals who can use their passport, or other identity document, as proof of their right to work. Employers will also need to complete a manual check for individuals in the UK who cannot prove their immigration status online.

It is important to note that you do not need to retrospectively check the status of any EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens you employed before 1 July 2021.

You can find the video on the Home Office YouTube channel here. The video guides you through the new right to work check process, including details of applicant information required for both types of check and links to further information.