As an employer, you must check that any job applicants are allowed and have the Right to Work in the UK before you can employ them. You can be fined up to £20,000 if you cannot show evidence that you checked an employee’s right to work in the UK.
What you need to know if you want to work in the UK
To have the right to work in the UK, you need to be a British citizen, an European Economic Area (EEA) citizen or a Swiss national, or have a valid visa or work permit that allows you to work in the UK.
If you are a British citizen, you automatically have the right to work in the UK. EEA citizens and Swiss nationals can also work in the UK without a visa or work permit, but may need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living and working in the UK after 30 June 2021.
If you are not a British citizen, EEA citizen, or Swiss national, you may need to obtain a visa or work permit to work in the UK. The type of visa or permit you will need will depend on your circumstances, such as the type of work you will be doing and the length of your stay in the UK.
To work in the UK legally, your employer must check your right to work in the UK. This involves checking your passport, visa, or work permit, and making sure that you have the legal right to work in the UK. Your employer may also ask for additional documents, such as a National Insurance number or proof of your address.
It is important to note that working illegally in the UK is a criminal offence and can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation. If you are unsure about your right to work in the UK, you can seek advice from a qualified immigration advisor or contact the UK Visas and Immigration department for more information.
Your Right to Work in the UK
Who is eligible to work in the UK? You are eligible to work in the UK if you are a British citizen, a person with settled status in Britain, such as ILR or EU settled status, or if you have a valid immigration status which allows you to carry out the work in question, such as a Skilled Worker visa
Check Your Status
check the applicant’s right to work online here at the DWP
You don't need to check existing employees from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland if they came to the UK on or before 1 July 2021.
