The Government has announced that digital Right to Work checks – originally introduced as a temporary Covid measure in March 2020 – will become permanent with the launch of a new system from April 6^th 2022.

Since March 2020, UK organisations have been permitted to carry out checks on a prospective employee’s right to work in the UK digitally, rather than having to conduct a physical in-person review of documents. This measure was due to end in April 2022, however, it will now be made permanent following the launch of a new digital system by the Home Office.

From April 6^th 2022, employers will be able to use government-certified identification document validation technology (IDVT) to check British and Irish citizens’ right to work in the UK. The cost of these checks will need to be funded by employers, with an individual check costing between £1.45 and £70, according to the Home Office.

These costs will only be applied to documents from UK nationals, while the existing free online service can still be used for applications from overseas.

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