Right to Work Checks
Verifying your employees right to work (RTW) in the UK is a legal requirement. With Personnel Checks, you can now conduct these checks online, quickly and securely. Our web app allows you to instantly verify the RTW status of British and Irish passport holders, and allows secure management of alternative verification routes, including government-issued share codes.
What Are Right to Work Checks & Why Are They Important?
Ensuring that all employees have the legal right to work is the responsibility of every UK employer. Failure to conduct compliant RTW checks can lead to fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, the loss of a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, and Home Office enforcement action, including audits and civil penalties.
Employers can verify right to work status in three ways:
Digital Right to Work checks for British and Irish passport holders;
Government-issued share codes for visa holders and EU Settled Status workers;
Manual in-person document verification.
Each method must meet UK right to work compliance standards and be recorded securely to establish a statutory excuse against penalties.
Can we outsource Right to work checks?
Absolutely! Thanks to a major push in the realm of digital identity, UK employers can now outsource the processing of their RTW checks to authorised providers.
Outsourcing simplifies the recruitment process for you and your employees by reducing the time spent on administrative compliance.
With Personnel Checks you can be registered and up and running with RTW Checks in a matter of minutes.
Our system ensures the most up-to-date right to work verification and you can rest assured that your RTW Checks are completed in line with the UK Government’s Digital Identity and Trust Framework.
Why Choose Personnel Checks for RTW Compliance?
Staying on top of Right to Work compliance can feel like a challenge, but with Personnel Checks, you can streamline the process, reduce admin, and stay fully Home Office-compliant—all in one secure platform. Whether you’re verifying British and Irish passport holders digitally, checking government-issued share codes, or conducting manual document checks, we help you:
Conduct fast & accurate digital checks – Using IDVT technology, verify UK & Irish passports in minutes.
Stay fully Home Office-compliant – Our system meets UK employment verification regulations to help you avoid penalties.
Reduce fraud & human error – Digital checks help detect fake documents and improve accuracy.
Keep secure compliance records – Store and access all RTW checks to stay audit-ready.
Manage all RTW routes in one place – Support for digital, share code, and manual verification.
Don’t leave your compliance to chance, leave it to Personnel Checks. Working across every sector and delivering services for both the public and private sectors, we’re experts in creating screening processes that fit your specific requirements.
Get in touch today and see how we can enhance your compliance.
How Personnel Checks runs RTW Checks
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Step 1: Registration
Applicants register as users on the Personnel Checks platform to start the process.
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Step 2: Documentation
Applicants then upload documentation which confirms their right to work in the UK.
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Step 3: Verification
Using advanced technology and identity databases, the right-to-work status of the applicant is verified.
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Step 4: Notification
You will be notified of the result, which will automatically be recorded on your account.
How to Conduct a Right to Work Check in the UK
Digital Right to Work Checks
The fastest and most secure method, digital Right to Work checks use Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to verify British and Irish passport holders.
These checks can be completed remotely through a government-certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP), reducing admin time, minimising human error, and ensuring Home Office compliance.
Our web app automates digital RTW checks, providing instant verification and secure record-keeping.
Government Share Codes
For visa holders, EU Settled Status employees, and other eligible foreign nationals, the Home Office share code system is used to verify right to work status.
Candidates generate a share code online, which employers must check via the Home Office portal to confirm visa status, work restrictions, and expiry dates. Our web app provides you with a secure means of recording share code verification.
Need to verify a share code today?
Click below to read our guide
In-Person Verification
Employers can also conduct physical document verification by inspecting a candidate’s documents in person. Employers must:
Check authenticity and ensure the document is valid.
Confirm that the person matches the document details.
Retain a copy and record the date of the check for compliance purposes.
Our system provides secure record storage for manual RTW checks, keeping your business audit-ready.
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Frequently asked questions
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Yes! The Personnel Checks platform empowers you to complete your RTW checks completely digitally, regardless of where your employees might be. This makes your life far easier if you operate a remote or hybrid business model.
For British and Irish passport holders using digital identity verification through Yoti. For non-UK nationals, you can use the government’s share code system.
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Yes, all UK employers are legally required to verify the Right to Work of every employee before they start employment.
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Right-to-Work checks must be completed before employment begins to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
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For British and Irish nationals, once verified, the check lasts for the duration of employment.
For non-UK nationals, follow-up checks may be required if their work eligibility is time-limited. However, the exact time period would be unique for each person.
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Yes, you can outsource RTW checks through Personnel Checks’ integrated service, allowing you to manage your verification processes with ease and compliance.
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Pricing varies depending on whether the check is standalone or bundled with other services. Contact us for a custom quote.
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For British and Irish nationals, a valid passport is sufficient. For non-UK nationals, a valid visa or biometric residence permit along with a share code may be required.
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Volunteers do not need to undergo a RTW Check. However, there is a distinction between volunteers and voluntary workers, who do in fact need a RTW Check.
Voluntary workers are those that have some kind of contract or receive some sort of compensation for travel and expenses. Voluntary workers do need a RTW Check.
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