Right to Work Check Checklist (for Employers)
Every UK employer must check that an employee has the right to work in the UK before employment begins. Get it wrong and you face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker. Use this checklist.
Before the check
Online check (eVisa Share Code)
Manual check (British/Irish citizens with passport)
IDSP check (British and Irish citizens only)
After the check
Helpful organisations
Citizens Advice
CharityProvides free, confidential, and independent advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, housing, debt, and employment.
Related guides
Right to Work Checks for Employers
All UK employers have a legal duty to check that every employee has the right to work in the UK before they start work. Correctly conducted checks provide a statutory excuse against civil penalties if it later transpires that the employee is working illegally. Failure to carry out checks can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution.
7 min
The eVisa Transition: From BRP to Digital Status
From 1 January 2025 the Home Office is replacing the physical Biometric Residence Permit with an online 'eVisa'. Everyone with leave to enter or remain must transition to an eVisa. This guide explains what to do, what the eVisa proves, and the practical issues of travelling and working without a physical document.
9 min
Sponsor Licence for Employers
UK employers who want to hire workers from outside the UK (and outside the existing settled workforce) generally need a sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. Without a licence, you cannot issue Certificates of Sponsorship to prospective employees, meaning overseas workers cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work for you. This guide explains the process and ongoing obligations.
8 min
Sponsor Licence Revocation: What Workers and Employers Should Know
Sponsor licence revocation is a Home Office sanction that ends a company's ability to sponsor workers. For workers on Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, or other sponsored visas, revocation means they have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. The number of revocations rose sharply in 2023-2024, particularly in the care sector. This guide covers both sides.
10 min
Disclaimer