With immigration regulations tightening and Home Office audits becoming more frequent, Right-to-Work checks are no longer just a formality — they are a legal necessity. Failing to carry out proper checks can expose your business to severe penalties, fines, and even sponsor license revocation.
At Ascend General Consultants Ltd, we help employers carry out correct, compliant, and up-to-date Right-to-Work checks that meet all legal requirements.
What Are Right-to-Work Checks?
Right-to-Work checks are the process of verifying that a job applicant is legally allowed to work in the UK. Employers must conduct these checks before employment begins, and in some cases, repeat checks are required during employment.
There are two types of checks:
- Manual checks: examining physical documents such as passports or biometric residence permits
- Online checks: using the Home Office’s digital service (e.g. for biometric residence cards, EU settled status holders, etc.)
Why Are These Checks So Important in 2025?
The UK government has made immigration control a top priority, and enforcement is increasing. In 2025, Right-to-Work checks are under even greater scrutiny due to:
- More Home Office site visits and audits
- Increased fines (now up to £60,000 per illegal worker)
- More sponsors being reviewed for how they verify employee status
If you cannot prove you carried out the correct checks, you are liable — even if the employee provided false documents.
Common Employer Mistakes
- Not checking documents before employment begins
- Failing to record or store copies of the documents
- Accepting expired or invalid paperwork
- Missing repeat checks for time-limited visas
- Relying on assumptions instead of official proof
At Ascend, we’ve seen how simple oversights can cause major compliance issues. Our job is to make sure your business stays protected.
How Ascend Can Help
We provide expert guidance to ensure every check is:
- ✅ Done at the right time
- ✅ Conducted using accepted methods (manual or online)
- ✅ Properly recorded and stored
- ✅ Aligned with your sponsor license obligations
We also train HR teams and line managers on how to identify genuine documents and manage repeat-check schedules for temporary visas.
What You Can Do Today
- Audit your existing employee records
- Update your onboarding processes
- Train staff responsible for hiring
- Contact Ascend for a Right-to-Work Compliance Check
Final Thoughts
Right-to-Work compliance is a cornerstone of ethical and legal hiring in the UK. With enforcement rising in 2025, it’s more critical than ever to stay ahead of the rules. Ascend General Consultants Ltd is here to ensure your workforce is compliant, your documents are in order, and your business is protected.
Book a consultation today and let’s secure your compliance together.
