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The UK government plans to roll out a new digital ID system by 2029 for every visa-holding employee in the country. This digital ID will serve as their major proof of right to work in the UK, replacing paper-based checks and reducing reliance on National Insurance numbers.
This new system aims to tighten border security, prevent illegal employment, and streamline access to public services such as tax and benefits. Visa holders will receive instructions from the Home Office or another government body to register through a secure online system.
Digital IDs will not be mandatory for non-working citizens, dependants, students, or pensioners. Another public consultation may happen this year, pilot testing afterward (see Gov.UK’s digital ID scheme).
Why This Matters to You
The new digital ID system aims for major improvements for everyone. Proving and checking the right to work will be faster, simpler, and more secure. This benefits both migrants and employers. Government services will become paperless. Crucially, the implementation will prioritise privacy protections.
What This Means for UK Visa Holders
The digital ID system transforms how you prove your immigration status and right to work in the UK. You must have one if you work, plan to work, or hold a visa that allows employment including work, student (with work rights), and family visas.
For non-working dependants, students, and pensioners, setting up a digital ID will remain optional unless they need to prove their right to work or access certain government services.
Here are the key features you can expect from the digital IDs:
- Proof of Status: Allows employers to check status directly against Home Office records, replacing the need for physical documents (such as a Biometric Residence Permit).
- Accessibility and Cost: Offers a free service, accessible via a secure online platform (usually on a smartphone), and directly linked to your existing immigration records, visa status, and passport details.
- Security and Efficiency: Ensures a faster, simpler, and more secure process for both employees and employers by mitigating fraud associated with physical documentation.
A New Era of Compliance for UK Employers
The UK is scrapping paper-based Right to Work checks. All employers must now verify employees through a secure digital ID system to prevent illegal working.
New Employer Requirements
Whilst the new digital ID systems will be mandatory 3 years from now, businesses should know their compliance requirements earlier. Once this becomes law, they will need to:
- Verify an employee’s legal status only through the digital ID system.
- Update recruitment and onboarding workflows for digital checks.
- Train HR and hiring teams effectively on the new system.
- Maintain secure digital records as proof of compliance.
- Provide alternative verification methods for employees without a smartphone.
Complete and accurate compliance is critical, as penalties can be severe, including fines, legal action, and loss of eligibility for government contracts.
Timeline and How to Prepare
The UK Government plans to roll out the national digital ID system before the end of the current Parliament, expected in 2029. Preparatory stages, including public consultation and pilot testing, are set to begin in 2025. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed the digital ID rollout as part of his government’s plan to modernise border control and workplace verification systems (see full details on BBC News).
Guidance for Migrants
Make sure your Home Office and UKVI records are up to date. Check your personal details, passport number, and contact info so you don’t face delays once digital verification begins.
Guidance for Employers
Review how you check employees’ right to work. Ensure your HR systems can support digital verification and get your HR and IT teams aligned early. Acting now will keep you compliant when digital IDs become mandatory.
Looking for Expert Guidance?
The UK’s transition to a mandatory digital ID for Right to Work checks presents a significant challenge for both migrants and employers, with compliance errors risking costly delays, heavy fines, and legal action.
That’s where Legend Consults steps in. We simplify the UK’s digital ID shift with our immigration and employment law expertise. For migrants, we ensure flawless records and fast-track your right-to-work proof. For employers, we provide bespoke strategies and expert HR training, safeguarding your business from fines and legal disruption.
Don’t risk costly mistakes or unnecessary stress. Book your free consultation with Legend Consults today and secure your future with the experts who make complex legal changes simple.
