DIGITAL RIGHT TO WORK CHECKS

On-board with confidence with our DIATF certified online & remote checks

Are you recruiting new candidates to join your business? Are you a recruitment agency managing staff and hundreds of Right to Work background checks each week? Our simple, slick and smart digital right to work checks can save you time and money.
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REAL-TIME RIGHT TO WORK BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Government legislation states that it is your legal responsibility as an employer or agency to ensure that all staff – whether permanent or temporary – have proof of Right to Work in the UK, regardless of their nationality. A right to work check is a Home Office process to establish that each employee or casual worker has the right to work in the UK before they start their employment.

As a prospective employer, you are required to carry out right to work checks on all prospective employees or volunteers before they start work. The method of conducting Right to Work checks varies based on the individual’s nationality and immigration status, and employers must check documents such as passports, visas, and Biometric Residence Permits or use online services to confirm identity and immigration status.

In an increasingly digital world, thousands of businesses are still using outdated paper-based processes to complete their Right to Work background checks. Our ID and identity verification software has been developed using next-generation facial recognition technology, enabling you to perform ID checks in real-time and confirm that the ID matches the actual person.

“From start to finish Credas have been professional, approachable and although keen to get us onboard were never pushy.

Ren in particular gave our company such a positive experience that, even though other quotes were cheaper, we felt assured that Credas would be the best choice for us in the long run.

Rens training session with the company was met with high feedback internally and we’ve had no issues with using the system due to the high level of training given to the staff.”

Zelakah M

Our online right to work checks are trusted by these companies

KEY FEATURES OF OUR RIGHT TO WORK SOLUTION

Government-certified checks
Biometric NFC chip reading
Integrated anti-fraud checks
Industry leading mobile app or portal
Sector leading pass rates
Expert support and guidance

HOW CAN CREDAS HELP YOU?

As a certified Identity Service Provider, Credas can help business remain compliant by offering remote Identity Verification that meets Right to Work guidelines. We also integrate with the UK Government’s Right to Work online checking system allowing for a streamlined onboarding solution. In addition, Credas supports the transition from physical immigration documents to digital records, such as eVisas and online immigration status checks, ensuring clients can verify right to work in line with the latest Home Office requirements.

Credas helps clients perform ID checks in real-time using cutting-edge facial recognition, reducing the complex, time-consuming, resource intensive and often expensive processes associated with right to work checks.

By working with a wide range of leading commercial data suppliers, Credas offers comprehensive checks on individuals, companies, and verify over 2,500 types of identity documents.

Credas enables firms to manage the complexity of onboarding and monitoring customers and employees while ensuring our clients meet the highest compliance obligations.

ID checks can be completed through the industry leading Credas mobile app or via a standard internet browser.

Trusted Identity and Document Authentication

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RIGHT TO WORK FAQ’S

Frequently asked questions, answered.

FAQ Icon WHAT DOES RIGHT TO WORK MEAN FOR EMPLOYEES?

‘Right to work’ stands for the legal requirement imposed by the government on all employers to ensure the people they hire have the right to work in the UK.

The British government website says that it’s the company’s responsibility to check that the documents presented by the job applicants are valid. Right to work checks must be carried out on job applicants but in some circumstances right to work checks need to be carried out for existing employees.

FAQ Icon WHAT IS A RIGHT TO WORK CHECK AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT EMPLOYERS?

There are two ways to run right to work checks: manually, or with the help of identity verification software that will run the necessary checks for you.

If you are running a manual check, you need to go through the lengthy process of obtaining a physical copy of a document from List A or List B from the government issued list, ensure that the document appears genuine and belongs to the holder, and check photographs and dates of birth are consistent.

You will also need to make a copy of the right to work document, which you are required to keep safely and securely. The second option is to use identity verification software that will run the necessary checks for you.

Consider using an app or website to verify Right to Work remotely, without the need to chase documents and having to delay candidate offers. Credas uses state-of-the-art technology to perform right to work checks at a time and place convenient for both parties.

We’ll run the necessary checks to verify the legality of documents and establish whether the candidate is a real, present person.

The Credas Right to Work product also saves you time and money by storing all Right to Work data on our highly secure cloud, ensuring full compliance with GDPR.

FAQ Icon RIGHT TO WORK LAW

According to the Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act 2016, employers must carry out proper due-diligence to confirm any potential permanent, part-time, or temporary employee has the right to work in the UK before they can begin work.

Right to Work applies to any work experience or unpaid workers. All businesses are required by the Home Office to keep evidence of all the right to work checks they carry out, as well as checking the document provided is genuine and the applicant is its rightful holder.

FAQ Icon RIGHT TO WORK DOCUMENTS?

For right to work checks conducted through a certified Identity Service Provider only a current British or Irish passport is accepted. For manual right to work checks please refer to official home office guidance which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-work-checks-employers-guide/an-employers-guide-to-right-to-work-checks-6-april-2022-accessible-version

FAQ Icon FACTS ON RIGHT TO WORK

Since implemented in 2014, the Right to Work legislation has increased the costs and time it takes to hire a new employee for many companies.

Physically checking that the photo ID matches the candidate can be particularly difficult and time consuming for businesses based abroad or in other parts of the UK.

FAQ Icon WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CREDAS RIGHT TO WORK CHECKING SERVICE?

Employers across all sectors reap the benefits of having a reliable identity verification software that can check their job applicants’ right to work. Our real-time facial recognition technology helps companies speed up and simplify the process of ID verification, employee and client onboarding.

The technology enables businesses to comply with Right to Work legislation easily and avoid liability for inadvertently employing an illegal worker, which comes with fines up to £20,000 as well as reputational damage.

FAQ Icon HOW DOES CREDAS RIGHT TO WORK BENEFIT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS?

First of its kind in the UK, the Credas app allows recruiters to verify essential ID documents and match the document photos with the actual person in real-time. Capable of verifying up to 4,000 types of ID, our technology can save companies as much as 180 staff-hours each month.

Any business will be able to verify staff quickly using our app, cutting down the time and expense wasted on waiting for documents to come through the post or locating a verification email. Recruiters can also integrate the technology with their in-house verification processes.

Our online verification process is an excellent choice if you want to make sure you are completing your right to work due-diligence quickly and cost-effectively. Start your free trial with Credas today.

FAQ Icon CAN YOU CONDUCT RIGHT TO WORK CHECKS ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

International students who wish to work in the UK are often subject to specific work restrictions based on their visa conditions. For example, students with a Tier 4 or Student visa may be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacation periods. Employers must check the student’s visa and obtain evidence of their academic term and vacation dates—such as a letter from the educational institution—to ensure the student is not exceeding their permitted working hours or undertaking prohibited types of work.

To establish a statutory excuse, employers should carefully follow Home Office guidance, checking the validity and details of the student’s visa and keeping a record of the date and evidence reviewed. It’s important to consult the most up-to-date guidance and, if in doubt, seek further information from the student’s university or the Home Office. By maintaining accurate records and following the correct procedures, employers can demonstrate compliance and avoid potential civil penalties.

FAQ Icon WHAT DO I DO IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO WORK?

If a prospective employee cannot provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK, employers must not employ them. In cases where an individual is awaiting a decision on their application for permission to work, the employer can choose to wait for the outcome or withdraw the job offer. It is important not to make assumptions about someone’s right to work based on their appearance, accent, or nationality; always follow the Home Office’s official right to work check procedures.

Employers should also be aware of support available for individuals who may become eligible to work, such as the EU Settlement Scheme for EEA nationals. Directing candidates to the appropriate government agency or resources can help them understand their options. By ensuring that only those with valid permission and proof are employed, employers can comply with UK immigration laws, avoid civil penalties, and support a fair and lawful recruitment process.

FAQ Icon WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL TO CARRY OUT RIGHT TO WORK CHECKS?

Failing to carry out proper right to work checks, or conducting them incorrectly, can have serious consequences for employers. Civil penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker may be imposed, and in cases where an employer knowingly hires someone without the correct right to work, criminal sanctions—including imprisonment and unlimited fines—can apply.

To protect your business, always follow Home Office guidance for right to work checks. This includes verifying identity documents, using the online checking service for individuals who provide a share code, and keeping clear records of each check, including the date and details of the documents reviewed. Remember to conduct follow up checks for employees with time-limited permission to work, ensuring their right to work remains valid throughout their employment. Regularly review your recruitment process and seek guidance if you are unsure, as maintaining a statutory excuse is essential for compliance and avoiding penalties.

Sources:

1 https://www.gov.uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work

2 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/13/contents

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