After a successful trial of digital right to work checks during the pandemic, the UK government has committed to make the move permanent, starting 6 April 2022.
First introduced in March 2020 when the UK went into lockdown, digital right to work checks allow new starters to remotely upload copies of personal documents, as opposed to needing to have them verified in person.
The Home Office are mindful of the shift towards increased hybrid and remote working models, which a digital checking service will support. The digital system should also allow employers and recruiters to place people more quickly and easily than before.
The cost of digital checks will however need to be covered by employers which, according to a Home Office review, could cost anything between £1.45 and £70 per check.
In-person checks can still be carried out as this will suit some businesses, the digital checking system will be introduced as a permanent alternative.
Further information is expected to be provided by the Home Office at some point this month. We will provide regular updates as and when we receive them. In the meantime, if you have any questions about right to work in the UK checks such as what documents are accepted as evidence or how to verify them correctly, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can send us an email (hello@peachlaw.co.uk) or give us a call (0161 478 3800).
