When should I contact the Home Office Employer Checking Service to verify right to work?

In certain circumstances, you will need to contact the Home Office’s Employer Checking Service (ECS) to establish a statutory excuse. These are when:

1. You are presented with a document (non-digital CoA or an acknowledgement letter or email) confirming receipt of an application to EUSS on or before 30 June 2021; or

2. You are presented with a non-digital CoA confirming receipt of an application to the EUSS on or after 1 July 2021; or

3. You have checked a digital CoA, using the online service, confirming receipt of an application to the EUSS on or after 1 July 2021, and been directed to the ECS; or

4. You are presented with a valid Application Registration Card stating that the holder is permitted to undertake the work in question. Any work will be restricted to employment in a shortage occupation; or

5. You are satisfied that you have not been provided with any acceptable documents because the person has an outstanding application with us which was made before their previous permission expired or has an appeal or administrative review pending and, therefore, cannot provide evidence of their right to work; or

6. You consider that you have not been provided with any acceptable documents, but the person presents other information indicating they are a long-term resident of the UK who arrived in the UK before 1988.

In the above circumstances, you will establish a statutory excuse only if you are issued with a Positive Verification Notice (PVN) confirming that the named person is allowed to carry out the type of work in question.

You should not contact the ECS where employment commenced before 29 February 2008 and has been continuous ever since. You will receive a Negative Verification Notice because this employment is out of scope of the civil penalty scheme.