Right to Work compliance solicitors with offices in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset
All UK employers must carry out Right to Work checks before an individual starts work to ensure they are permitted to work in the UK. These checks are a legal requirement and must be repeated if an employee has a time-limited right to work. Failure to carry out valid checks can result in severe penalties, criminal sanctions and reputational damage.
For businesses holding a Sponsor Licence, any Right to Work breach can also impact your ability to continue sponsoring overseas workers, making compliance essential.
At Trethowans, our Immigration team provides clear, practical advice to help employers meet their Right to Work obligations and reduce the risk of illegal working.
What do our Right to Work solicitors do?
The Home Office sets out strict requirements for conducting a compliant Right to Work check. The correct process varies depending on:
- The type of visa the individual holds
- Whether they qualify for an online check or a manual document check
- Whether an Identity Service Provider (IDSP) can be used
- Whether the individual has a time‑limited or ongoing right to work
A valid check must follow the correct Home Office process, record evidence appropriately and be completed before the individual starts work.
Employers who fail to carry out compliant checks can face:
- Civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker
- Criminal sanctions in serious cases of knowing or negligently employing illegal workers
- Loss or downgrading of their Sponsor Licence
- Reputational and operational risk
Our team advises employers on how to conduct compliant checks, how to interpret complex scenarios and how to respond if they suspect illegal working.
How Trethowans can help
We support employers with:
- Step‑by‑step guidance on conducting compliant Right to Work checks
- Advice on which checking method applies (online, manual, IDSP)
- Support where documents appear unclear or inconsistent
- Risk‑mitigation advice when an employer suspects an issue has arisen
- Implementing robust internal Right to Work processes
- Delivering Right to Work compliance training to HR teams and managers
- Advising Sponsor Licence holders on the link between sponsorship and Right to Work obligations
We help ensure your systems are audit‑ready and aligned with Home Office expectations.
Training and HR system audits
Our Immigration team regularly provides training on complying with the right to work requirements for HR advisers, managers and compliance professionals. Training can be delivered:
- At scheduled sessions throughout the year
- In‑house at a time that suits your organisation
- On specialised or bespoke topics relevant to your workforce
We can also carry out a full audit of your HR systems and practices to ensure they meet Home Office expectations. This is particularly recommended before applying for a Sponsor Licence to help avoid delays or compliance issues once licensed.
If you require training on a specific topic not listed above, our team can tailor a session to your needs.
Contact Trethowans Right to Work solicitors today
For expert advice on any aspect of immigration law, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experienced immigration solicitors on 0800 2800 421.
