Document checking

The following checks will ensure the University complies with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, on the prevention of illegal working. Employers could be liable for a civil penalty of up to £10,000 per illegal worker. This applies to paid or unpaid work.

All candidates should be requested to bring the relevant document(s) with them to the interview using the standard invitation to interview letter. Only original documents can be accepted. The documents must be checked, copied, signed and dated as original seen, including the printed name of the signatory.

Employees with UK work restrictions in place, who started work on or after 29 February 2008, must have these documents re-checked every 12 months. Full details on how to carry out the checks can be found above.

Pre-employment checks also apply to students and casual workers. If you choose to offer work using the blue claim forms or their equivalent, you would have to satisfy yourself that the person has the right to work in the UK using the above procedures. In this instance, all appropriately checked documents must be retained by you for the duration of the employment.

The interview letter includes two, UKBA approved, lists of the type of documents that can be used to confirm a right to work in the UK. Please forward these to the candidate with the invitation letter. The lists are fairly self explanatory, however, if you have any concerns please contact Human Resources.

List A

These documents show that the holder is not subject to immigration control or has no restrictions on their stay in the UK. Documents produced from this list require no further check for the duration of that employment, as they can work for an indefinite period.

Please see Document checking examples (PDF - 89KB) for List A.

List B

These documents demonstrate that an individual has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK. Documents produced from this list must be re-checked at least every twelve months to ensure we establish a 'statutory excuse' against payment of a civil penalty for employing an illegal migrant worker. Human Resources will notify you when this check is due.

Please see Document checking examples (PDF - 89KB) for List B.