The Home Office has updated it’s ‘Employer right to work checks supporting guidance’ document stating that employers must provide appropriate training and guidance to their staff for example, on what information they must obtain from an IDSP (Identity Service Provider) to confirm verification of identity, what the information can be used for, and what other requirements they still need to fulfil to establish eligibility to work.

The way in which Biometric Residence Card (BRC), Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and Frontier Worker Permit (FWP) holders evidence their right to work is changing. IDVT (Digital identity document validation technology) will be introduced to support employers and landlords with right to work, right to rent and pre-employment DBS checks. From 6 April 2022, BRC, BRP and FWP holders will evidence their right to work using the Home Office online service only. Employers will no longer be able to accept physical cards for the purposes of a right to work check even if it shows a later expiry date. BRCs, BRPs and FWPs will be removed from the lists of acceptable documents used to conduct a manual right to work check.

Employers will also have to confirm that the photograph provided to the identity check provider they use is a true likeness of the prospective employee. This can be face-to-face or via a video call. It is also the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the IDSP is certified to the required standards. It is vital that employers plan ahead for these changes and start thinking now about their onboarding processes.