PRE EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

PRE EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

An employer's first obligation is to check that you have the right to work in the UK.

To meet this obligation it is likely that your employer will need to see your original passport or visa and they will check the document for any restrictions on your right to work. This is the case whether you are a UK national or not. They may also take a copy of the original document. The person who carried out the check should write on the copy document that they have seen the original and the date they saw it. They should then sign and date the copy. If you hold a temporary visa, your employer is likely to diarise the visa expiry date so that a follow up check can be carried out at that stage. You should also ensure that you are aware of when the visa will expire and, if necessary, take steps to have it renewed in plenty of time.

Employers can be fined and directors can face criminal proceedings if these steps are not followed, so you should not be concerned if you are asked to produce this information.