The right to work check must be completed before employment commences to ensure workers are legally allowed to do the work in question for the University. In some circumstances due to the conditions of an individual’s visa, a follow up check may be required.
Right to work checks at the University are carried out by a member of the People team.
Conducting a manual right to work check
To complete a manual right to work check we are legally required to carry out the following 3 steps listed below:
1. OBTAIN
A member of the HR team must check an individual’s original right to work document's validity in the presence of the holder. Original documents from either List A or List B of Acceptable Documents at Annex A on the Right to work checklist - GOV.UK must be provided.
2. CHECK
HR must check documents are genuine and the person presenting them is the prospective employee and rightful holder and the document allows them to do the type of work we are offering and retain a clear copy and record the date the check was carried out.
The manual check/right to work appointment can either be carried out as a face-to-face in person check or with the individual via a video call. Please note for both options the HR member of staff must be in receipt of the individual’s original documents.
We will check that:
1. photographs and dates of birth are consistent across documents and with the person’s appearance in order to detect impersonation.
2. expiry dates for permission to be in the UK have not passed.
3. any work restrictions to determine if they are allowed to do the type of work on offer.
4. the documents are genuine, have not been tampered with and belong to the holder; and
5. the reasons for any difference in names across documents can be explained by providing evidence (e.g., original marriage certificate, divorce decree absolute, deed poll). These supporting documents must also be photocopied, and a copy retained.
3. RETAIN
HR will retain copies of original versions of one or more acceptable documents and ensure they are scanned and retained securely and electronically on an employee’s file for the duration of their employment and thereafter will be retained in line with our Retention Schedules.
We will copy and retain copies of:
1. Passports: any page with the document expiry date, the holder’s nationality, date of birth, signature, leave expiry date, biometric details, photograph and any page containing information indicating the holder has an entitlement to enter or remain in the UK (visa or entry stamp) and undertake the work in question (the front cover no longer has to be copied).
2. All other relevant documents: the document in full. Examples: UK birth certificate, proof of National Insurance number, photo ID, marriage/change of name by deed poll certificate, Application Registration Card
Conducting an online right to work check using Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) via the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP)
This type of digital RTW check is available for holders of valid British and Irish passports and Irish passport cards.
How does this check work?
We send a link to the individual to complete the online check with Yoti (IDSP) using their smartphone or PC. The individual is guided through the check, which involves taking real time scans of their passport photo page and an image capture ('selfie') and these are then checked using the IDVT.
A RTW check file is generated for the university and a member of the HR Services and Resourcing team completes a brief video call with the individual to ensure that the photograph and biographic details (for example, date of birth) on the output from the IDVT check are consistent with the individual presenting themselves for work (i.e. the information provided by the check relates to the individual and they are not an imposter). A copy of the check is retained on the staff member's file.
Conducting an online right to work check
The government introduced an online right to work check service which employers can use to check an individual’s right to work in the UK.
Currently, the online checking service supports checks in respect of those who hold:
- a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP);
- a Biometric Residence card (BRC); or
- status issued under the EU Settlement Scheme (alternatively, these individuals continue to be able to demonstrate their right to work by presenting their EU passport or ID card until the end of the EU-Exit grace period on 30 June 2021); or
- status issued under the points-based immigration system (e.g. E-visa); or
- British National Overseas (BNO) visa; or
- Frontier workers permit (FWP)
From 6 April 2022, BRP/BRC/FWP holders are required to prove their immigration status using the Gov.uk online checking service. This replaced checks on visa cards for these individuals.
How does the online right to work service work?
USE
The system works on the basis of the individual first viewing their own Home Office right to work record, they then share this information with a member of the HR team by providing a ‘share code’ which when entered along the individual’s date of birth, enables the employer (HR Services team) to access the record via the employer part of the service called View a job applicant's right to work details - GOV.UK . This authorisation represents an important safeguard and means employers will only view an individual’s information having received their consent and the share code allowing their access.
The share code will be valid for 90 days, after which a new code will be required in order to conduct an online check. It is not sufficient for the employer to only view the information provided to the prospective employee, when they view their profile using the migrant part of the Home Office online right to work checking service. The employer will not establish a statutory excuse by viewing the migrant part of the service only.
CHECK
The People Team staff member carrying out the online check must check that any photograph on the online right to work check is a true likeness to the individual presenting themselves for work and will also check the working permissions listed to ensure that this is in line with the work offered. This is normally completed via video call.
RETAIN
The People Team will retain a clear copy of the response provided by the online right to work check. A copy of this will be retained electronically on the worker's file for the duration of their employment and thereafter in line with our retention policy.
The Home Office has an audit record of online checks conducted by employers using the service.
The government online right to work checking service sets out what information you will need.
It will not be possible to conduct an online right to work check in all circumstances, as not all individuals will have an immigration status that can be checked online. In circumstances in which an online check is not possible, a manual right to work check will be required.
Using the Home Office online right to work checking service
- Have your documents handy and follow the instructions outlined by View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK to view your Home Office record and retrieve your unique ‘share code’. The code only remains valid for 90 days, after which time it will lapse and a new code will be required.
- Send your share code to the People Team by email to humanresources@napier.ac.uk alongside scanned copies of the following documents 1.) Passport page, 2.) Front and back of Biometric Residence Permit /Card (if you have one) 3. ) (student visa only) -term dates/confirmation of study letter. Please include in the email Subject Title – Right to Work Share Code and include & print your Full Name. This documentation must be sent to the mailbox prior to your online right to work appointment.
- Click here to Book Appointment (must be before your start date), add your name, email address and telephone number and click the BOOK button to confirm this appointment. A member of the People team will conduct the online right to work in UK check and verify your documents and share code. The appointment will take no longer than 10 minutes. The appointment/ remote check will be conducted via Microsoft bookings and can be accessed via a PC or mobile phone. If you are unable to access Microsoft bookings and need to use an alternative video method, please let us know and we will be happy to make an alternative arrangement.
- Once booked you will receive an automated email confirming the appointment details with a link to access the online appointment.
- Upon receipt of your email with your unique share code and confirmation of appointment a member of the HR Services team will then use your unique share code (in conjunction with your date of birth) to access the 'employer’ part of the portal to view your right to work status. Employers must access the employer portal to complete the check.
- Keep your original passport/documentation handy for the video call as the People Team staff member must see you on the call with your original documentation and then can validate your share code.
What will happen during the online right to work appointment
- The People Team staff member will ask you to hold up your documents and then they will check that you are the same person as the person appearing on the photo on the online check.
- They will record the date they carried out this check on the ‘profile’ page confirming an individual right to work (this page includes the individuals photo) and then save this it in an un-editable format , for example PDF and include their name and signature confirming they carried out this verification check .
- A copy of this documentation will be retained on your employee file.
Right to work checks for individuals on Tier 4 and Student Visas
Tier 4 and Student visa holders have specific working permissions listed on their visas (and are normally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time if studying at university undergraduate or postgraduate level). For the right to work check, in addition to providing visa and passport details, student visa holders must also provide a copy of their term and vacation dates from their university and a letter confirming their course information (confirmation of studies letter). ENU students can generate the confirmation of studies letter from their eStudent record.
To Book
To arrange a RTW check, please email: humanresources@napier.ac.uk add in the email title ‘Request for Right to Work Check’ or call 0131 455 3344 to speak to a member of the People Team, who will be happy to make the necessary arrangements.