Preventing Illegal Working

All potential work seekers must be asked to provide proof of their British citizenship or their right to work in the UK.  We must see one document or specified combinations of documents from List A or List B. Recognised documents are either:

List A

  • A passport showing that the holder is a British Citizen, or has a right of abode in the United Kingdom.
  • A document showing that the holder is a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland. This must be a national passport or national identity card.
  • A residence permit issued by the UKBA to a national from a European Economic Area country or Switzerland or a member of their family.
  • A Biometric Immigration Document issued by the UKBA to the holder stating that they can remain indefinitely in the UK or have no time limit on their stay.
  • A passport or other travel document endorsed to show that the holder can stay indefinitely in the United Kingdom, or has no time limit on their stay.
  • An Immigration Status Document issued by UKBA indicating a right to remain in the UK when produced in combination with official documentation giving a permanent NI number and their name, issued by a Government Agency or a previous employer.
  • A full UK birth certificate including the name of at least one parent in combination as above.
  • A full adoption certificate in combination as above.
  • A birth certificate issue in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Ireland in combination as above.
  • An adoption certificate as above.
  • A certificate of registration of naturalisation as a British Citizen in combination as above.
  • A UKBA letter indicating indefinite leave to remain in combination as above.

List B

  • A passport or travel document showing that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and do the type of work in question, provided it does not require a work permit.
  • A UKBA Biometric Immigration Document stating that the holder can remain in the UK to do the work in question.
  •  A work permit or similar from the UKBA when produced in combination with a passport or travel document endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and do the work in question, or a similar letter.
  • A certificate of application issued by the UKBA to or for a family member of a national of an EEA country or Switzerland less than 6 months old stating that the holder is permitted to take in combination with evidence of verification from the Immigration Agency Employer Checking Service.
  • A residence card or document issued by the UKBA issued to the family member of an EEA or Swiss national.
  • An Application Registration Card issued by the UKBA stating that the holder is entitled to take employment when produced in combination with evidence of verification by the Border and Immigration Agency Employer Checking Service.
  • An immigration status document from the UKBA indicating that the holder can stay in the UK to so the work in question when produced in combination with an official document giving the holder’s NI number and name, issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
  • A letter from the UKBA to the holder, employer or prospective employer, indicating that the holder can stay in the UK to so the work in question when produced in combination with an official document giving the holder’s NI number and name, issued by a government agency or a previous employer.

List A documents establish that the person has an ongoing entitlement to work in the UK. We need to carry out a one-off check prior to employment and that check is valid for the duration of the employment.

List B documents indicate that there are restrictions on the worker’s right to be in the UK. List B documents must be checked at least once every 12 months as well as prior to the commencement of employment.

Employing Nationals from the European Economic Area

Nationals from the European Economic Area (EAA) countries can enter and work in the UK without any restrictions just like British citizens. The same is also the case for their immediate family members.

The following countries are part of the EAA:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria*, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania*, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

* See Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals below

Worker Registration Scheme

Nationals from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia were additionally required to register with the Home Office if they planned to work for more than one month for an employer in the UK. The Worker Registration Scheme came to an end on 30 April 2011 and no additional registration is now required.

Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals

Bulgaria and Romania became part of the EEA in 2007. However, Bulgarian or Romanian nationals may be subject to worker authorisation requirements. For details please see the UKBA website - Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals.