The Home Office has issued further guidance and confirmed that the temporary COVID-19 adjusted right to work checks will now end on 20 June 2021 (rather than 16 May 2021 as had been originally announced). From 21 June 2021 employers will need to revert to face to face and physical document checks as set out in legislation and guidance.
This extension is aligned with the easing of lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures.
The following temporary changes were made on 30 March 2020 and will now remain in place until 20 June 2021 (inclusive):
- checks can currently be carried out over video calls
- job applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals
- employers should use the Employer Checking Service if a prospective or existing employee cannot provide any of the accepted documents
Checks continue to be necessary and employers must continue to check the prescribed documents set out in right to work checks: an employer’s guide or use the online right to work checking service. It remains an offence to knowingly employ anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK.
