The Home Office has issued a fresh edition of its employer Right-to-Work guide, dated 1 October 2026, consolidating post-Brexit concessions and the nationwide rollout of eVisas. From today, employers hiring staff who hold immigration permission must verify status online using the Home Office share-code service or an approved Identity Service Provider (IDSP) certified under the Digital Verification Scheme. Key clarifications include treatment of EU Settlement Scheme applicants who submitted in-time but undecided applications, and rules for British citizens without a passport. The department also reminds businesses that retrospective checks are unnecessary if an initial compliant check was made, even where the employee subsequently switches to an eVisa. Penalties have increased sharply: the fine for employing someone without the right to work now stands at up to £60,000 per worker for repeat breaches, triple the previous level. Criminal prosecutions remain rare but possible where employers knowingly hire irregular workers. Global mobility and HR teams should update onboarding workflows immediately, ensuring HRIS systems can store share-codes and verification dates. For assignees entering on Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas after 31 October 2026, physical visa vignettes will no longer be issued; a digital status will arrive via email once the entry stamp is reconciled.
