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GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service
What it is
GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service is a web service for employers checking whether a job applicant may work in the UK. To make an online check, an employer needs the applicant’s date of birth and right to work share code. The result shows which types of work the applicant may do and, if permission is time-limited, how long it lasts. The GOV.UK page links to the online check and includes employer guidance on initial checks, follow-up checks, and acceptable documents for manual checks. British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code, so employers must inspect physical documents or use an identity service provider offering Identity Document Validation Technology. Employers must repeat checks when time-limited permission is due to expire. For manual checks, they must record the date and keep document copies during employment and for two years after it ends, while following data protection law. In specified cases where applicants cannot show documents or online immigration status, employers must ask the Home Office to check status and retain its Positive Verification Notice. The service is free.
For and against
For
- Online check uses a date of birth and share code.
- Results show permitted work types and time limits.
- Employer guidance covers manual and follow-up checks.
Against
- British and Irish citizens cannot get share codes.
- Manual checks require records and document copies.
- Time-limited permission requires a follow-up check.
The verdict
The service gives employers an online route to check applicants who have a right to work share code. Its guidance also explains alternative document checks, follow-up checks, and record keeping.
Who it suits
It is for employers checking applicants before hiring and monitoring time-limited work permission. Employers hiring British or Irish citizens need a document check or an identity service provider instead of a share code check.
Plans and prices
GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service
Online employer check · Share code and date of birth required · UK right-to-work status
Read 15 Oct 2026 · gov.uk
Right to work checking service
No price or usage limits stated on the opened pages
Read 4 Oct 2026 · gov.uk
On the record
- Access
- The GOV.UK page links to the right to work service to start a check online.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Alternative checks
- Employers can check original documents or use an identity service provider that offers Identity Document Validation Technology.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The employer’s guide explains how employers check people before employing them to make sure they are allowed to work in the UK.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Audit record
- The service keeps an audit record of employer checks for Home Office audit purposes.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- British and Irish citizens
- British and Irish citizens cannot obtain an online share code and must use physical documents or an identity-service provider.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Check results
- It shows the types of work the applicant is allowed to do and how long they can work in the UK if their permission has a time limit.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compliance guidance
- The employer’s guide covers initial and follow-up checks and acceptable documents for manual checks.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Confirmation
- The Home Office sends a Positive Verification Notice to confirm the applicant has the right to work, and the employer must keep it.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- The guidance tells employers to follow data protection law when copying and keeping documents.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data source
- Right-to-work information is derived from immigration data previously submitted by the individual and held in the Home Office Person Centric Data Platform.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Document alternative
- Employers may check original documents instead when an applicant has no share code.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Eligibility limit
- British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code, so employers must check their physical documents or use an online identity service provider.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
- Employer duty
- A right-to-work check must be completed before employment starts to establish a statutory excuse against civil penalties.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Employer identification
- The online process asks employers to enter their organisation or business name so the Home Office records who performed the check.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Evidence retention
- Employers must retain right-to-work evidence for the employment period and two years afterwards.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Follow-up checks
- Employers must repeat checks before a time-limited permission expires.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Guidance coverage
- The employer guide explains initial and follow-up checks, TUPE situations and acceptable documents for manual checks.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Home Office escalation
- If an applicant cannot show documents or online immigration status in specified circumstances, employers must ask the Home Office to check their status.gov.uk · read 4 Oct 2026
