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Original poster

Does your employer let you collect your passport or mail it to you when doing a right to work check?

21 replies

letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 18:10

I would rather be able to collect my passport in person than have it posted and fear it would get lost. Please share your experiences, I would really appreciate to know how it works.

OP posts:
Pinkandwrinkly · 10/05/2021 18:15

Every employer I've had in the past 18 months ( I do a lot of agency work) has accepted jpegs online of my passport and other documents for right to work. Never had the need to send it all off in the post, but I would ask to collect in person if possible or signed for postage if that was the case.

Mintjulia · 10/05/2021 18:15

I've never needed to provide a passport. I started a new job last month and just had to tick a box to say I was eligible to work in the U.K.
Is it a new thing? I had to provide a NI number and bank details, but that's all.

RaspberryCoulis · 10/05/2021 18:18

That's up to them. They do have the right to check that you are indeed entitled to work in the UK rather than just taking your word for it. There are hefty fines for illegal workers.

I think that in Covid-19 times there are provisions to allow employers to do identity checks for DBS or Right to Work over Skype, Zoom or similar. But if they want you to mail in your passport, then they can ask you to do that. I suppose you could ask that once they are finished they get someone to call you and you come and pick it up. But is that necessarily any more secure than just sticking it in the post?

Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 18:32

@RaspberryCoulis

That's up to them. They do have the right to check that you are indeed entitled to work in the UK rather than just taking your word for it. There are hefty fines for illegal workers.

I think that in Covid-19 times there are provisions to allow employers to do identity checks for DBS or Right to Work over Skype, Zoom or similar. But if they want you to mail in your passport, then they can ask you to do that. I suppose you could ask that once they are finished they get someone to call you and you come and pick it up. But is that necessarily any more secure than just sticking it in the post?

It would be much more secure to allow personal pick up as you can’t be sure what form of delivery they would use and Royal Mail have lost passports on special delivery. If I lost mine, would be difficult to find a counter signer.
OP posts:
Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 18:34

@Mintjulia

I've never needed to provide a passport. I started a new job last month and just had to tick a box to say I was eligible to work in the U.K. Is it a new thing? I had to provide a NI number and bank details, but that's all.
Were you allowed to pick up your documents or did they insist on posting them?
OP posts:
Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 18:36

@Pinkandwrinkly

Every employer I've had in the past 18 months ( I do a lot of agency work) has accepted jpegs online of my passport and other documents for right to work. Never had the need to send it all off in the post, but I would ask to collect in person if possible or signed for postage if that was the case.
Did you just email your employer the photos of your passport? I haven’t seen an application form where you can attach anything.
OP posts:
Melitza · 10/05/2021 18:42

You're not supposed to leave your passport with anyone other than certain government offices.
If someone needs to see it you send a copy or take it in personally and don't leave without it.
It horrifies me how many people are so blasé about such an important document.

RevolutionRadio · 10/05/2021 18:42

I've always taken my documents to interview for them to be copied, never had to post them anywhere.

If you don't get the job the copies get shredded.

Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 18:44

@RevolutionRadio

I've always taken my documents to interview for them to be copied, never had to post them anywhere.

If you don't get the job the copies get shredded.

Did you take them home on the same day they were copied? They didn’t need to post them to you, right?
OP posts:
Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 18:45

@Melitza

You're not supposed to leave your passport with anyone other than certain government offices. If someone needs to see it you send a copy or take it in personally and don't leave without it. It horrifies me how many people are so blasé about such an important document.
Agreed
OP posts:
Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 10/05/2021 19:27

Have they asked you to post your passport to them? You mention not being able to attach it to the application form - application for what?

They shouldn't be taking your passport off you in this way. You can send them a photo of it and then they can do a 'live' check via video (you holding passport so they can compare photos). Even if their office is open, it's really not normal for them to take the passport away for checks, they normally do it there and then and keep a photocopy or scan.

If you are happy to collect it, why can't you just go into the office with it for them to complete the check immediately (arrange this with them rather than randomly turn up).

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 10/05/2021 19:29

@Mintjulia

I've never needed to provide a passport. I started a new job last month and just had to tick a box to say I was eligible to work in the U.K. Is it a new thing? I had to provide a NI number and bank details, but that's all.
No, it's not a new thing, employers should be conducting Right to Work checks for all new employees, and have been expected to do so for years. There are several options with regards to documents though, it doesn't always have to be a passport, as not everyone has one.

It isn't just NI number though - so your employer is a bit dodgy, frankly.

LIZS · 10/05/2021 19:49

It is not a right it is an obligation on the employer to check. Can you take it in person or arrange to meet whoever is certifying it, or post recorded and ask for it to be returned the same way straight away.

Pinkandwrinkly · 10/05/2021 20:17

Yes, they accept email attachments. I guess in non covid times you would produce the documents in person, but it has become commonplace to email photos of birth certificate, passport, proof of address NI number etc. Never had any problems doing so.

Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 22:04

@Pinkandwrinkly

Yes, they accept email attachments. I guess in non covid times you would produce the documents in person, but it has become commonplace to email photos of birth certificate, passport, proof of address NI number etc. Never had any problems doing so.
Thank you for sharing. That’s helpful to know
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Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 10/05/2021 22:05

@Hollyhocksarenotmessy

Have they asked you to post your passport to them? You mention not being able to attach it to the application form - application for what?

They shouldn't be taking your passport off you in this way. You can send them a photo of it and then they can do a 'live' check via video (you holding passport so they can compare photos). Even if their office is open, it's really not normal for them to take the passport away for checks, they normally do it there and then and keep a photocopy or scan.

If you are happy to collect it, why can't you just go into the office with it for them to complete the check immediately (arrange this with them rather than randomly turn up).

I wondered if they would just make a copy of the passport when they meet with you in person and let you go home with it. Thanks for sharing.
OP posts:
DancesWithDaffodils · 10/05/2021 22:08

In November I had 2 interviews in person. Both requested I took my documentation to interview, they took a copy there and then, and returned it to me while I was still waiting for the interview started.

LIZS · 10/05/2021 22:18

I wondered if they would just make a copy of the passport when they meet with you in person and let you go home with it.

That would be the norm, you usually are asked to bring it to interview and any other supporting documents. Ie. If a dbs were required two other documents or certificates for specific qualifications. These get copied on the understanding copies are only held in accordance with gdpr policy. Currently you send scanned copies and show the documents at virtual interview, although ds recently had to send off originals before being able to start.

SBAM · 10/05/2021 22:20

I work in recruitment and we don’t accept them via email, even in covid times when we interview by phone we still ask successful candidates to bring their documents in person, we take a copy then and there and they leave with their documents.

Original poster
letsjustgosomewhere · 11/05/2021 01:18

Thanks so much everyone for sharing. Glad you can take it home on the day they make copies of it.

OP posts:
RevolutionRadio · 11/05/2021 10:50

Yes, admin/receptionist copied them whilst I was in the interview and took them home at the end.

I've also copied other peoples paperwork and then given them it back after they came out of interview.

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