GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service vs TrustID Right to Work

GOV.UK Right to Work Checking Service lets employers check a job applicant’s permission to work in the UK. To start an online check, an employer needs the applicant’s date of birth and right to work share code; the result shows permitted work types and, when permission is time-limited, how long it lasts. British and Irish citizens cannot get share codes, so employers must check physical documents or use an identity service provider offering Identity Document Validation Technology. The accompanying employer guidance covers initial checks, acceptable documents, and follow-up checks. Employers must check again when time-limited permission is due to expire. For manual checks, they must record the check date and keep document copies throughout employment and for two years after it ends, while following data protection law. In specified cases where an applicant cannot show documents or online immigration status, employers must ask the Home Office to check status and keep the resulting Positive Verification Notice. The service is web-based and free. The page also lists an Employer Enquiry helpline with weekday hours.

TrustID Right to Work is a paid web and API service for checking whether applicants can work legally in the UK. It accepts digital identity documents, share codes and physical documents, including out-of-date British passports. TrustID assesses document validity, identity assurance and work eligibility, then produces a report listing restrictions and any follow-up dates. Checks usually return within minutes. A hiring manager receives an email when the PDF report is ready in the web portal, which needs no software or app download. Reports remain stored for seven days by default before deletion, with longer retention available on request. TrustID says UK-based document analysts and customer service staff are available seven days a week, with a two-hour target during 8am-to-midnight business hours. The service integrates with over 50 ATS and HR providers. Its API submits checks, receives callbacks and retrieves results, fields and reports, with a 1,000-credit minimum commitment.