GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service

GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service lets employers verify whether an applicant is allowed to work in the UK. It suits employers checking applicants with a share code, but it is only one part of the right-to-work process.

Overview

Employers start an online check from the GOV.UK page using the applicant’s date of birth and right to work share code. The result shows the types of work the applicant may do and, if their permission is time-limited, how long it lasts. That gives employers a free way to confirm status and understand any work restrictions.

British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code, so this route does not cover every applicant. Employers must check their physical documents or use an online identity service provider instead. For employers handling a mix of cases, the service is useful for share-code checks but cannot replace the other routes.

Key features

Online status check

The check is based on the applicant’s share code and date of birth. Its result covers permitted work and the length of any time-limited permission, helping employers identify when a further check will be due. The service does not capture documents, so employers who need to verify applicants without a share code must use a different method.

Manual and follow-up checks

The employer’s guide covers acceptable documents for manual checks as well as initial and follow-up checks. When an employee’s time-limited right to work is due to expire, the employer needs to check their documents again. For manual checks, employers must record the check date and keep copies throughout employment and for two years after the person stops working. They must also follow data protection law when copying and retaining documents.

Home Office escalation

If an applicant cannot show documents or online immigration status in specified circumstances, employers must ask the Home Office to check their status. The Home Office sends a Positive Verification Notice to confirm the applicant’s right to work, and the employer must keep it. The guidance also gives employers an enquiry helpline, open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4:45pm and Friday from 9am to 4:30pm.

Pricing

The Right to work checking service plan is free at no cost. It has no stated price or usage limits, making it a straightforward choice for employers who can use the share-code route. Free access does not remove the need to handle manual checks, follow-ups and record keeping when those apply.

Platforms

The service is available on the web. Employers access it through the GOV.UK page, which links to the online check.

Who it's for

This is best for UK employers checking applicants who can provide a right to work share code and who want a free online check of permitted work and time limits. Employers recruiting British or Irish citizens, or applicants who cannot show online immigration status or documents in specified circumstances, need the relevant document, identity-provider or Home Office route as well.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free online checks: Employers can check an applicant’s status without a stated usage cap.
• Useful result details: The check shows allowed types of work and the duration of time-limited permission.
• Compliance guidance: The guide explains manual and follow-up checks, record keeping and when to seek Home Office confirmation.

Cons

• Share code required: British and Irish citizens cannot use this online route.
• Separate duties remain: Manual checks require dated records and document copies retained through employment and for two years afterwards.
• No document capture: Employers must use another method when a share-code check is not suitable.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison of products in this category, see Right to Work Verification Software.

• Right To Work Checker suits employers or services needing API access alongside web checks. Its free plan allows 10 live checks a month, hard-stops at 10, requires no card and includes a sandbox key and five requests a second; Pro costs £14 a month for 100 live checks a month.
• Rightcheck is a paid option for teams that need Android or iOS as well as web access; its pricing is custom.
• Credas Right to Work may suit teams seeking mobile, web and API access with a free trial. Its Gateway plan has custom pricing, five users, one branch or brand, and charges per invite.
• CheckWorkRights is a paid option for employers seeking web, Android, iOS and API access, with pricing by commercial agreement.
• EmploymentCheck Right to Work Check is a web option for employers preferring per-use charges: EmploymentCheck cloud service (G-Cloud 14) costs £2.25, paid once, and Right to Work Check costs £2.50, paid once.
• Experian Data Quality Solutions may fit organisations seeking a tailored data-quality solution with API or web access and a free trial; pricing is custom.
• Verifit is a paid API and web option with per-seat pricing by quote.
• Clear I-9 is a paid web option with pricing provided after a demo.

Verdict

Choose GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service if you are an employer checking applicants who can provide a share code: it is free and reports both permitted work and time limits. Look elsewhere for a share-code-free route or a broader service that supports other verification methods, and remember that manual and follow-up checks still carry record-keeping duties.