Right to Work Checks 2026: Are You Ready for the Expanded Regime?
Join us on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at our Southampton office for a two-hour in-person training session is designed to provide employers with a clear, practical understanding of how the new right to work check regime will work in practice from 1 October 2026 and the tools to ensure their internal processes are compliant.
Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
Location: Trethowans, The Pavilion, Botleigh Grange Business Park, Southampton, SO30 2AF
Ensuring compliance with right to work checks remains a critical legal obligation for employers. With Home Office enforcement at record levels and civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, the risks of non-compliance have never been greater.
From Autumn 2026, reforms will significantly expand the scope or right to work obligations, extending duties beyond employees to include checking right to work for casual and other workers, individual sub-contractors and consultants, and individuals engaged by online matching platforms. At the same time, the transition to a digital immigration system and eVisas has already reshaped how checks must be conducted by employers, meaning it’s vital employer checks are conducted in line with current Home Office guidance.
The session will cover:
- Overview of the right to work check regime
- Why compliance is a critical issue: key risk areas and trends.
- How to establish and maintain a statutory excuse
- Expansion of obligations from 1 October 2026
- Identifying who will be covered by the extended regime
- Conducting compliant right to work check (including manual checks, online checks (share codes) and identity service provider IDSP) checks
- Avoiding common errors with right to work checks
- Additional compliance risks for sponsor licence holders
- Manging right to work issues which arise during employment, including preventing claims for unfair dismissal, breach of contract and discrimination
- Complying with the Code of Practice on preventing illegal working and avoiding discrimination in the workplace
- Future developments and practical next steps.
The training will be delivered in person at our Southampton office by Charlotte Farrell and Tabytha Cunningham, Partners in the Trethowans Employment and Immigration Team at a cost of £180 per attendee.
The session is designed for HR professionals, directors and those responsible for recruitment or compliance within their business and will be practical and interactive, with opportunities to raise questions and real‑world scenarios.
Places are limited to ensure meaningful discussion. If you would like to attend, please register using the link below:
