Adjusted right to work checks: the saga continues

The Home Office has confirmed this week that adjusted right to work checks have had a further reprieve and will now remain with us until 30 September 2022.

The updated guidance reports positive feedback following the announcement that from 6 April 2022 employers will be able to use certified ID Validation Technology service providers to carry out digital eligibility checks on behalf of British and Irish national workers who hold a valid passport. The decision to further extend the adjusted right to work checks is aimed at giving employers time to make changes to their current pre-employment checking processes and to onboard identity service providers.

This will be welcome news for employers who have benefitted from the adjusted checks and also those who are considering any necessary updates to their pre-employment processes to capture the forthcoming changes. 

One word of caution: for workers who hold a biometric residence permit, biometric residence card, or status under the EU Settlement Scheme or points based system, from 6 April 2022 employers can no longer accept physical right to work documents. Pre-planning will therefore be needed to ensure that checks are being carried out for those workers using the Home Office’s online right to work checking service from 6 April 2022 to ensure a compliant right to work check.