Right to work checks

Please be aware, temporary pre-employment check measures were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these measures have now come to an end, will be coming to an end soon, or have been incorporated into permanent arrangements. Please read the information available in our guidance section.
This standard outlines the type of checks and documentary evidence which are required in order to verify a candidate's legal right to work in the UK.
Further detailed guidance on preventing illegal working is available on the Home Office website.
To verify a candidate's identity, employers must refer to the identity check standard.
Further guidance
There are six employment check standards that employers must undertake as part of their recruitment processes. Read the background information about the purpose of the standards, who they apply to and how to meet compliance and view our frequently asked questions.
Right to work checks FAQs
The questions and answers below summarise those we are regularly asked by NHS organisations, agencies and third party contractors. They should be read in conjunction with our right to work standard.
Please also read our employment checks general FAQ page as an answer to your query may be found on there.
If your query is not covered, please contact the employment checks team.