What is a Right to Work Check?

The right to work check will verify a person has the right to work in the UK using copies of documents that would be accepted by the UK Home Office, based on up to date UK Visa and Immigration guidelines.

Onfido’s Right to Work check analyses provided documents to verify that they are genuine. Using our machine-readable algorithm, we compare details such as the date of birth and expiry date to ensure its validity. Our technology analyses the document image to validate its authenticity, and checks whether the document has been compromised, or recorded as lost or stolen. Any suspicions will be raised via the relevant breakdowns in the results provided.

Finally, our Right to Work check confirms whether the applicant has the right to work in the UK and if there are any stipulations, such as an expiration date or job role restrictions.  

Under the government guidelines, an employer must check that an applicant is allowed to work in the UK before employing them. Therefore, right to work checks are crucial in all industries and for all job roles. We recommend this check is run on your prospective employees. Our specialist teams will review an applicant’s identity documents to ensure you are safely on-boarding your employees, in line with up-to-date UK Visa and immigration guidelines.

It is a criminal offence to employ a person who does not have the right to work in the UK. The UK Border Agency will fine an employer up to £20,000 for each illegal migrant worker found working for them.

As an employer you are required to validate:

• If the documents are genuine, original and unchanged and belong to the person who has given them to you
• If the dates for the applicant’s right to work in the UK haven’t expired
• If the photos are the same across all documents and look like the applicant
• If the dates of birth are the same across all documents
• If the applicant has permission to do the type of work you’re offering (including any limitations on the number of hours they can work)
• In case two documents have different names, if the applicant has supporting documents showing why they’re different, e.g. a marriage certificate or divorce decree

Onfido's service does not circumvent the requirements set for employers. Please see more information on checking documents for Right to Work in the UK here.