Employee guidance for completing a right to work check

Every employee must complete a right to work check before starting employment.

This guidance explains what you need to do, depending on whether you are a permanent, fixed-term or flexible worker. It also sets out which documents are acceptable and how HR will verify your identity.

Permanent and fixed-term staff

UK nationals

You’ll be contacted before your start date to complete an online right to work check if you have:

  • a current British or Irish passport, and
  • a smartphone or tablet with a working camera

If not, you’ll need to complete the check in person.

After submitting the online check, HR will arrange a short Microsoft Teams call to verify your identity (that is to match your face to your passport photo).

Non-UK nationals

You’ll be asked to provide your Home Office share code. HR will then:

  • arrange a Microsoft Teams call to verify your identity.
  • review your original right to work documents as outlined in your pre-check

If you have not heard from HR before your start date, contact hrdata@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Flexible workers

UK nationals

You must bring your original identity documents for in-person verification.

Non-UK nationals

You’ll be asked to provide your Home Office share code, which will be checked online.

Acceptable documents for in-person checks

Use the lists below to confirm which documents are acceptable for manual (in-person) checks.

List A – continuous right to work (no expiry)

  • UK passport showing British citizenship (current or expired)
  • Irish passport or passport card
  • Certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, plus your National Insurance number
  • Birth or adoption certificate from the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, plus your National Insurance number
  • Immigration Status Document showing indefinite leave to remain, plus your National Insurance number
  • Passport with indefinite leave to remain or no time limit on stay

List B – time-limited right to work

Group 1 – valid until visa expiry

  • Passport showing limited leave to remain for work
  • Immigration Status Document confirming time-limited leave to work

Group 2 – valid for six months only (with Positive Verification Notice)

  • Evidence of application under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • Certificate of Application (before or after 1 July 2021)
  • Application Registration Card
  • Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office

If you have any questions please contact hrdata@st-andrews.ac.uk.