Digital ID to Become Mandatory for Right to Work Checks

Consultation later this year

The government has announced its plan to introduce a new digital ID scheme, which will become the standard way to complete Right to Work checks by the end of the current Parliament.

The digital ID will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents and will be stored securely on mobile phones in the same way as the NHS App or contactless payment methods.

The new system should make compliance simpler for employers carrying out Right to Work checks. Guidance will follow as the roll-out progresses, with a consultation later this year to help shape how the service will work.

The government has confirmed there will be options for people unable to use smartphones, and security will be built in through encryption and authentication technology.

For now, employers should watch for updates and prepare for digital checks becoming mandatory.