Home Office republishes right to work check guidance ahead of 1 October 2026 changes
13 Sep 2026
If you're a sponsored worker, including on the Skilled Worker route, or you're applying for a sponsored job, the way employers check your right to work is changing from 1 October 2026. The Home Office republished its draft employer guide to right to work checks on 11 September 2026. The guidance itself says this version "updates that of 16 July 2026 and will come into force on 1 October 2026."
The updated guidance gives employers more clarity on which working arrangements count under the right to work scheme, and it expands coverage to include worker contracts, individual sub-contractors, online matching services, and digital verification processes through registered providers. It also confirms that checks can be delegated, with the same principles applying across all types of check, whoever carries them out.
What this means for you: you don't need to do anything differently right now. But from 1 October 2026, if you're on a non-standard working arrangement, such as a contract through a subcontractor or a job you found via an online matching service, your employer's right to work check may look a little different under the new guidance. If you're unsure how your check will be affected, ask your employer or sponsor directly.
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