Check whether you have the right to work in the UK and which documents your employer can use to verify it. Updated for current UK immigration rules.
From 6 April 2022, employers can carry out right to work checks in three ways:
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All employers in the UK are legally required to check that every employee has the right to work before they start work. Hiring someone without the right to work can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per worker from January 2024, and up to 5 years imprisonment for knowingly employing an illegal worker.
If you have a Biometric Residence Permit, visa, or EU Settlement Scheme status, you can generate a share code at gov.uk/prove-right-to-work. Share codes are valid for 90 days and allow your employer to check your status online without needing to see physical documents.
From 22 January 2024, the maximum civil penalty for employing someone without the right to work increased from £20,000 to £60,000 per worker. Employers who conduct proper right to work checks have a statutory excuse against civil penalties even if a document later turns out to be false.
Student visa holders can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Some student visas restrict work entirely — always check the conditions on your BRP or in your visa decision letter.