The Home Office confirmed on 26 August 2021 that the end date for temporary adjusted right to work checks has been further moved to 5 April 2022*: Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks - GOV.UK. This is to reflect advances in and effectiveness of remote checks.
The following temporary changes made on 30 March 2020 will continue until 5 April 2022*:
- checks can currently be carried out over video calls;
- job applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals;
- employers should use the Home Office Employer Checking Service if a prospective or existing employee cannot provide any of the accepted documents.
You can read our full article, (subject to extension of the end date to 5 April 2022*) here. The Home office has stressed that right to work checks remain necessary and employers must continue to check the prescribed documents and keep records correctly. It remains an offence to knowingly employ anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK.
*Written 31 August 2021 - The end date for temporary adjusted right to work checks has been further extended to 30 September 2022