Right to work checklist
A list for employers to check if their staff have the right to work in the UK.
Documents
Details
This checklist explains the types of documents that are acceptable for checking an employee’s right to work and how long the check is valid for.
Check if someone can work in the UK using our quick answer tool.
If you’re reasonably satisfied that the worker has an outstanding application with the Home Office that was made before their previous leave expired or has an outstanding appeal against a Home Office decision, you can get a Positive Verification Notice from the Employer Checking Service.
The illegal-working penalties collection includes all documents for employers on preventing illegal working.
Update history
2026-10-01 16:15
Updated information for employers carrying out right to work checks from 1 October 2026.
2025-03-17 09:00
Updated the employers’ right to work checklist to reflect the use of eVisas rather than physical immigration documents.
2024-04-09 16:43
Updated the employers’ right to work checklist.
2023-03-13 17:17
Updated to reflect the changes made on 28 February to the Right to work checks: an employer’s guide.
2022-09-27 14:25
Updated information for employers carrying out right to work checks from 1 October.
2022-04-06 08:00
Updated ‘Employers’ right to work checklist’ HTML accessible document as some acceptable documents have been removed from the list and new information added about Identity Service Providers. Removed ‘Employers’ right to work checklist’ PDF document.
Details
This checklist explains the types of documents that are acceptable for checking an employee’s right to work and how long the check is valid for.
Check if someone can work in the UK using our quick answer tool.
If you’re reasonably satisfied that the worker has an outstanding application with the Home Office that was made before their previous leave expired or has an outstanding appeal against a Home Office decision, you can get a Positive Verification Notice from the Employer Checking Service.
The illegal-working penalties collection includes all documents for employers on preventing illegal working.
Update history
2026-10-01 16:15
Updated information for employers carrying out right to work checks from 1 October 2026.
2025-03-17 09:00
Updated the employers’ right to work checklist to reflect the use of eVisas rather than physical immigration documents.
2024-04-09 16:43
Updated the employers’ right to work checklist.
2023-03-13 17:17
Updated to reflect the changes made on 28 February to the Right to work checks: an employer’s guide.
2022-09-27 14:25
Updated information for employers carrying out right to work checks from 1 October.
2022-04-06 08:00
Updated ‘Employers’ right to work checklist’ HTML accessible document as some acceptable documents have been removed from the list and new information added about Identity Service Providers. Removed ‘Employers’ right to work checklist’ PDF document.
Details
This checklist explains the types of documents that are acceptable for checking an employee’s right to work and how long the check is valid for.
Check if someone can work in the UK using our quick answer tool.
If you’re reasonably satisfied that the worker has an outstanding application with the Home Office that was made before their previous leave expired or has an outstanding appeal against a Home Office decision, you can get a Positive Verification Notice from the Employer Checking Service.
The illegal-working penalties collection includes all documents for employers on preventing illegal working.
Update history
2026-10-01 16:15
Updated information for employers carrying out right to work checks from 1 October 2026.
2025-03-17 09:00
Updated the employers’ right to work checklist to reflect the use of eVisas rather than physical immigration documents.
2024-04-09 16:43
Updated the employers’ right to work checklist.
2023-03-13 17:17
Updated to reflect the changes made on 28 February to the Right to work checks: an employer’s guide.
2022-09-27 14:25
Updated information for employers carrying out right to work checks from 1 October.
2022-04-06 08:00
Updated ‘Employers’ right to work checklist’ HTML accessible document as some acceptable documents have been removed from the list and new information added about Identity Service Providers. Removed ‘Employers’ right to work checklist’ PDF document.