Guidance

Right to work checks: an employer's guide

How to carry out right to work checks, why you need to do them, and which documents you can use.

Documents

Employer's guide to right to work checks: 15 July 2026

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Employer's guide to right to work checks: 26 June 2025

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Canllaw i gyflogwyr ar gyfer gwiriadau hawl i weithio: 26 Mehefin 2025 (Welsh version)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

You can find the previous version of this guide at the National Archives, along with earlier versions

Details

This guidance explains what employers must do to prevent illegal working in the UK by carrying out right to work checks on people before employing them to make sure they are allowed to work.

You should use it to find out:

  • what a right to work check is
  • why you need to do right to work checks
  • how to carry out checks
  • when to carry out initial checks, follow-up checks, and what happens under TUPE
  • what documents are acceptable for a manual right to work check

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 employer guidance collection includes all documents for employers on preventing illegal working.

We’re in the process of updating the Welsh translation of this guide.

Updates to this page

Published 16 May 2014
Last updated 3116 July 20252026 href="#full-history">+ show Show all updates
  1. Updated Welsh version of guidance.

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