Right to work checks: an employer's guide

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.