The Employer Checking Service lets UK employers ask the Home Office to verify a worker’s immigration status where the person cannot prove their right to work online or with acceptable documents. It is especially important for HR teams managing pending applications, Certificates of Application, Application Registration Cards and follow-up checks.
Home Office verification support for Positive Verification Notices and right to work compliance.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-29.
TL;DR
The Employer Checking Service is a Home Office service for employers who cannot complete an ordinary right to work check because the worker cannot show documents or online immigration status. There is no Home Office fee, the ECS aims to respond within 5 working days of a valid request, and a Positive Verification Notice can usually give a statutory excuse for 6 months. It should only be used when an online, manual or digital check is not available.
£0
Home Office ECS fee
5 working days
Response aim
6 months
PVN statutory excuse
What is the Employer Checking Service?
The Employer Checking Service, often called ECS, is a GOV.UK service that lets employers ask the Home Office to check an employee’s or potential employee’s immigration status. It is used where the person cannot show acceptable right to work documents or online immigration status, or where specific Home Office documents require verification.
ECS is not the default way to check every worker. GOV.UK says employers only need to use it if they cannot check the applicant’s right to work online using a share code or check the applicant’s original documents.
Where the Home Office confirms that the named person may work, the employer receives a Positive Verification Notice. The Home Office employer guide states that a PVN can provide a statutory excuse for six months from the date specified in the notice.
A Negative Verification Notice means the Home Office has not confirmed the right to work. If an employer continues to employ the person after receiving a negative notice, the employer will not have a statutory excuse and may be exposed to civil penalty or criminal risk.
When to Use the Employer Checking Service
The situations where employers should request Home Office verification
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Pending Home Office Matter
ECS can be relevant where the worker has an outstanding application, review or appeal with the Home Office. Employers should use the correct route because some eVisa holders with pending in-time applications may now be able to provide a share code instead.
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Required Home Office Document
Employers must ask the Home Office to check status where the worker has a non-digital Certificate of Application that says an ECS check is needed or an Application Registration Card. The ARC must show that the work offered is permitted.
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No Usable Online or Manual Evidence
ECS may be needed where the worker cannot prove their status online or through acceptable documents, including some long-term residents affected by lack of documentation. GOV.UK asks employers to provide personal and role information when requesting the check.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Using ECS correctly without replacing ordinary right to work checks
✓ You Can
- Request Home Office verification where ordinary online or manual checks are not available.
- Use ECS for pending applications where the worker cannot use a share code and has an outstanding Home Office matter.
- Verify Certificates of Application or ARCs where GOV.UK says an ECS check is required.
- Rely on a Positive Verification Notice where it confirms the person may do the work offered.
- Diarise the six-month expiry of a PVN and complete a follow-up check when needed.
- Tell the worker that an ECS request is being made about them.
✗ You Cannot
- Use ECS as a shortcut where the worker can prove right to work online or with acceptable documents.
- Ignore a Negative Verification Notice and continue employment while expecting a statutory excuse.
- Treat a PVN as permanent permission; the Home Office guide says it provides a statutory excuse for 6 months from the date specified.
- Assume all pending applications qualify without checking whether the worker can provide online status instead.
- Use ECS to confirm public funds or settlement rights; it is a right to work verification process.
- Employ outside the permitted work if the ECS response or underlying status restricts the role or hours.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| ECS request | £0 |
| PVN issued | £0 |
| Response aim | 5 working days |
| PVN protection | 6 months |
| Civil penalty risk | Up to £60,000 |
How to Use the Employer Checking Service
A practical process for HR teams dealing with pending immigration status
Check Whether ECS Is Needed
First decide whether the worker can prove right to work online, through acceptable documents or through an eligible digital verification route. ECS is for cases where those routes are not available or GOV.UK says verification is required.
Gather Worker and Role Details
GOV.UK asks for details including the worker’s full name, date of birth, nationality, job title, weekly hours and UK home address. You may also need to see the original Application Registration Card or Certificate of Application.
Submit the ECS Request
Use the GOV.UK Employer Checking Service and give accurate worker, role and document details. Tell the worker or prospective worker that you are carrying out the check.
Review the Home Office Response
The Home Office may issue a Positive Verification Notice, a Negative Verification Notice, or ask for further information. Check whether the response allows the specific work offered.
Receive Your Decision
The ECS aims to respond within 5 working days of a valid request; keep any Positive Verification Notice and diarise the 6-month follow-up point.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common employer questions about ECS and Positive Verification Notices
What is the Employer Checking Service UK?
The Employer Checking Service is a Home Office service that allows an employer to ask for confirmation of a worker’s immigration status where the worker cannot prove right to work online or with documents. It is part of the right to work checking system, not a visa application route.
When should an employer use the Employer Checking Service?
Use ECS where the worker cannot show documents or online immigration status and GOV.UK says Home Office verification is needed. Examples include some outstanding Home Office applications, appeals or reviews, certain Certificates of Application, Application Registration Cards and some technical issues with online status.
How much does the Employer Checking Service cost?
There is no Home Office fee for making an ECS request. The main cost to employers is usually internal HR time, compliance management and any adviser support.
How long does the Employer Checking Service take?
The Home Office employer guide says ECS aims to provide a response within 5 working days of receiving a valid request. Delays can happen if the request is incomplete or further information is needed.
What is a Positive Verification Notice?
A Positive Verification Notice is Home Office confirmation that the named person has the right to work. The employer guide says it provides a statutory excuse for six months from the date specified in the notice.
What is a Negative Verification Notice?
A Negative Verification Notice means the Employer Checking Service has not confirmed the person’s right to work. If the employer continues to employ the person after receiving an NVN, the employer will not have a statutory excuse and may face civil penalty or criminal risk.
Do I need ECS if the worker has a share code?
Usually no. GOV.UK says employers only need ECS if they cannot check the applicant’s right to work online using a share code or check original documents. If the worker can provide a valid share code, use the employer online right to work service.
Can ECS be used for an outstanding visa application?
Yes, ECS can be relevant where the person has an outstanding Home Office application, review or appeal and cannot prove their right to work using the online service. Some eVisa holders with in-time outstanding applications may be able to provide a share code instead.
Does an ECS Positive Verification Notice last forever?
No. The Home Office guide says a Positive Verification Notice provides a statutory excuse for six months from the date specified in the notice. A follow-up check is needed if the worker’s status has not been resolved by then.
What information is needed for an ECS check?
GOV.UK says employers need information such as the worker’s full name, date of birth, nationality, job title, weekly hours and UK home address. If checking an Application Registration Card or Certificate of Application, the employer needs to see the original document.
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