The Government has announced that the end date for the temporary adjusted Right to Work checks has now been delayed until 5 April 2022, not 31 August 2021 as previously announced.

The following temporary changes were made on 30 March 2020 and now remain in place until 5 April 2022:

• Checks can now be carried out over video calls.
• Job applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photograph of documents for checks using email or a mobile app rather than sending originals.
• Employers should use the Home Office Employer Checking Service if a prospective or existing employee cannot provide any of the accepted documents.

From 6 April 2022, employers must once again either:

• Check the applicant’s original document; or
• Check the applicants right to work online if they have provided the employer with their share code.

The Home Office has reiterated its intention to introduce a new digital right to work check solution to include many who are currently unable to use the Home Office online checking service, including UK and Irish citizens. This will enable checks to continue to be concluded remotely but with enhanced security.

For more information on Right to Work checks please see our earlier update from 19 July 2021 here.