Nearly every country requires employers to confirm work authorisation before employment starts. A right-to-work check confirms citizenship, residency, or a valid work permit. The US formalises the check through Form I-9, and the UK ties legal protection to prescribed checking methods. Employing someone without authorisation exposes the company to fines and, in some countries, criminal liability.
How Verification Works
The check happens before work begins, using original documents or an approved digital verification service. Employers keep dated records of what was checked. The process applies to every hire equally, because checking only some candidates invites discrimination claims.
Ongoing Obligations
Verification does not end at hiring. Time-limited permissions need expiry tracking and a fresh check before they lapse. Employers that sponsor visas carry additional reporting duties when circumstances change. Remote hiring adds another consideration: a candidate living in a country is not automatically entitled to work there, so confirm authorisation before making any commitment.