The three ways to check right to work
Manual check
Original documents from List A or List B, checked in person or on a live video call.
Online share code check
For eVisa holders and EU Settlement Scheme status — the most common check for non-British workers.
Digital identity check
Through a certified Identity Service Provider, for valid British and Irish passports.
What changes on 1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026, the duty to prevent illegal working extends beyond employees to people on worker contracts, individual sub-contractors and online matching platforms, for engagements starting on or after that date. A revised code of practice also asks employers to check that the person doing the work is the person who was checked. Penalties remain up to £45,000 per worker for a first breach and £60,000 for repeat breaches.
Automate your follow-up checks
Missing a follow-up check is one of the most common reasons sponsors are downgraded or fined. Whoever does your checks — your own team or an outsourced HR or immigration provider — needs a dated record of every check, the evidence attached to it, and a diary of expiry dates that somebody actually reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is a right to work check?
A right to work check is the check UK employers must carry out before someone starts work, to confirm they are allowed to do the job. Done correctly, it gives the employer a statutory excuse against a civil penalty if the person turns out not to have the right to work.
What is the penalty for not doing a right to work check?
Employers can be fined up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach and up to £60,000 per worker for repeat breaches, as well as facing possible criminal prosecution, business closure and loss of a sponsor licence.
How do I check someone’s right to work with a share code?
Ask the candidate for their share code and date of birth, then enter them in the Home Office “view a job applicant’s right to work” service on GOV.UK. Check the photo matches, confirm the conditions allow the work, and save the profile page as your record.
Are BRPs still valid for right to work checks?
No. Expired biometric residence permits are not acceptable proof of right to work. Most people now hold an eVisa, and employers should use the online share code service instead.
Do right to work checks apply to contractors and gig workers?
From 1 October 2026, the illegal working rules extend beyond employees to workers, individual sub-contractors and online matching platforms for engagements starting on or after that date, under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025.
How long must I keep right to work records?
Keep a copy of the right to work check for the duration of employment and for 2 years after the employment ends.
Official sources
Rules and fees checked September 2026. Immigration rules change often — this tool gives general information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on an individual case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or one of the firms listed here.