The UK Government has announced that the temporary concession on remote right to work checks will now continue until at least 5 April 2022. 

All employers have a duty to check the right to work of their employees to prevent illegal working and establish a statutory excuse against a civil penalty. In many cases, this involved meeting the employee and checking their documents in person.

In March 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and restrictions were put in place, the Home Office introduced a concession that right to work checks could be undertaken over a video call. The employer can now meet with the employee over a video call where the employee holds up their original documents and confirms their identity and right to work. The employer takes a signed and dated copy for the file noting any expiry dates.

The first iteration of this concession required that an in-person follow-up check be completed later, but this was dropped and no follow-up check is necessary. 

As the pandemic continued, the Home Office continuously renewed the concession (in line with many other concessions) and it was due to end on 1 September 2021 but has now been extended to 5 April 2022.

This announcement is welcome news for employers who find the concession very flexible and practical.