No, on its own, a P45 is not proof of right to work in the UK. While a P45 number may support a right to work check, employers must verify original documents from the government approved lists to prove an employee or potential employee’s right to work in the UK.
List A (Documents that show the holder has the right to work indefinitely)
- British or Irish passport (current or expired) showing the holder is a British citizen or Irish citizen.
- Immigration Status Document with an endorsement that the person can stay indefinitely or has no time limit on their stay.
- UK birth certificate (together with NI number documentation) for British citizens.
- Certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, along with NI number documentation.
List B (Documents for individuals with a time-limited right to work)
Group 1
- Passport endorsed for specific work (with details of permitted stay and work).
- Immigration Status Document allowing stay and work, with NI number documentation.
Group 2
- EU Settlement Scheme documents: These include Certificate of Application and Positive Verification Notice.
- Application Registration Cards for asylum seekers who have permission to work, with verification from the Home Office.
Employer Responsibilities:
- Employers must check documents in List A or List B to verify the right to work.
- If the individual is from List B, employers need to carry out a follow-up check before the expiry of the individual’s right to remain.
Employers can use the employer checking service to ask the Home Office to check an employee or potential employee’s immigration status if they cannot show their documents or online immigration status.
For a full list of acceptable right to work documents, please visit the government’s website.
