27/09/2022

Home Office has confirmed that there will be no further extension to the Adjusted Right to Work Checks for Covid (22 September)

Last week, at our Annual Employment Law and HR Conference we covered right to work checks and debated if there would be a further extension to the adjusted right to work checks for COVID-19.

Today, UK Home Office has confirmed there will be no extension and that the Right to Work Scheme COVID-19 Adjusted Checks (as introduced on 30 March 2020 and extended on a number of occasions) will end on 30 September 2022.  

Therefore, employers who wish to continue carrying out right to work checks remotely must use an Identity Service Provider (IDSP) – a list of such providers is available here

IDSP use Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) for checks on British and Irish citizens who hold a valid passport (or Irish passport card).

From 1 October 2022, employers must carry out one of the prescribed checks as set out in the Right to work checks: An Employer’s Guide before employment commences:

1. Manual right to work check;
2. Right to work check using IDVT via the services of an IDSP;
3. Home Office online right to work check.

Checks using the Home Office online checking service do not require you to check physical documents and can be carried out by video call, as right to work information is provided in real time direct from Home Office systems.

There is no requirement to carry out retrospective checks on those who had a COVID-19 adjusted check between 30 March 2020 and 30 September 2022.

Further information can be found at Right to work checks: An Employer’s Guide