What is the right to work check?

Every employer in the UK has a legal obligation to check that the people they employ have the right to work in the country before employment begins. This requirement applies to all employers regardless of business size or the nationality of the person being hired. Understanding what a right to work check involves and what documentation is acceptable is basic compliance knowledge for any founder who is hiring.

A right to work check involves verifying that an individual has legal permission to work in the UK by checking specific documents or using the Home Office's online checking service where applicable. The check must be completed before employment starts — not after — and the employer must retain a copy of the documents as evidence. Failing to complete right to work checks correctly can result in significant civil penalties from the Home Office.

The right to work requirements and acceptable documents are set by the Home Office and may change over time, so current guidance should always be confirmed before conducting checks. The process is straightforward for most candidates but requires care to ensure it is completed and documented correctly. Our guide to right to work checks covers the full process and what employers need to keep on file.