Right to work in the UK: what you need to prove

Before you can start any job in the UK, an employer is legally required to check that you have the right to work here. It applies to everyone, whether you were born in Britain or moved here, and getting your proof ready in advance makes starting a new job much smoother. Here is what you need to know and have ready.

Why employers have to check

Every UK employer must confirm that anyone they take on is legally allowed to work, and they face heavy fines if they do not. This is not about singling anyone out, as the check is done for all new starters. Getting it sorted quickly and correctly is simply part of onboarding, so having your documents ready helps you look organised and start on time.

If you are a British or Irish citizen

The simplest proof is one of these:

• A valid British or Irish passport, current or expired, which is the most common document used.
• A UK birth or adoption certificate together with an official document showing your National Insurance number, such as a letter from HMRC or a payslip.

Bring the original document to your check, as employers generally cannot accept a photocopy alone.

If you have immigration status: the online share code

If your right to work comes from your immigration status, for example settled or pre-settled status, a visa or a biometric residence permit, you will usually prove it online rather than with a physical document. You generate a right to work share code through the government's online service, using your passport or ID and date of birth. You give this code, which starts with a W, to your employer along with your date of birth, and they check your status securely online. Share codes are time-limited, so generate a fresh one when an employer asks rather than reusing an old one.

What employers check and record

Your employer will either view your original documents in person or use the online service with your share code. They must be satisfied the proof is genuine and belongs to you, keep a dated copy on file, and only then can you start. If your right to work has a time limit, they will also note when a follow-up check is due. A properly done check protects both you and the employer.

Get ahead of it

• Locate your documents early, before you even start applying, so a job offer is never held up.
• Check your passport is not lost or badly out of date, and renew it in good time if needed.
• If you use a share code, know your login details for the government service so you can generate one quickly.
• Keep your National Insurance number to hand, as you will need it for payroll and tax anyway.

Right to work checks are routine and nothing to worry about when you are prepared. Have the right document ready, generate a fresh share code if your status needs one, and you remove one of the few things that can delay the start of a new job. It is a small bit of admin that lets you get on with the work.