[UPDATED] UK: Right To Work Checks Rules Updated

• Published date: 20 May 2021
• Subject Matter: Employment and HR, Immigration, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Employee Rights/ Labour Relations, General Immigration, Operational Impacts and Strategy
• Law Firm: Envoy Global, Inc.
• Author: Envoy Global, Inc.

Note: This article was updated May 18, 2021, to reflect new information.

Overview

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the U.K. Home Office instituted a temporary change to the right to work procedures, which allowed the checks to be carried out over video. The UK Home Office has announced that starting on June 20, 2021 video calls will no longer be allowed and standards will?reset to pre-pandemic?requirements.?This date was previously May 16, 2021 but has since been updated to June 20, 2021.

Key Points

• Under the temporary changes that were instated on March 30 2020, employers have been able to carry out document checks through video calls and document scans instead of seeing original documents.
• Starting on June 20, 2021, employers must check the employee's physical documents to verify right to work status An online?sharecode?can also be used.
• If a prospective or existing employee is unable to provide necessary documents, employers can use the UK's Employer Checking Service.
• After June 20, 2021, certain exceptions are available for some online right to work checks.? For example, if an employee holds an online status under the EU Settlement Scheme or a Biometric Residence Permit and can provide a share...