Do I need to complete a Right to Work check?
Proving that you have the right to work in the UK
What is a Right to Work check?
The BBC has a legal requirement to confirm that anyone engaged by the BBC has the right to work in the UK and can provide satisfactory evidence of that right. Effective 1 October 2026 this requirement extends to Extended Workforce engagements, including those working as freelancers, contributors, and artists. Some roles and types of engagement do not require a check, but for those which do, the engagement should not begin or payments be made until a check has been completed.
A Right to Work (RTW) check is typically required for:
- All individuals engaged on a PAYE basis
- Individuals who are self-employed for tax and do not contract through a personal service company
- Individuals with limited leave to remain, especially where their visa or other permit is due to expire during their contract.
Your RTW check must be completed on or before your first day by a member of BBC staff. They will complete a declaration and send a copy of your documents to our Extended Workforce Team to be logged against your record.
Please note: if you are required to complete a RTW check, evidence is required before you will be able to claim or automatically receive payment. If you use the Freelance Payment Portal (FPP) you will be able to see whether we hold a valid RTW check for you. If you do not use the FPP and you are unsure if a check has been logged, ask your BBC contact or booker.
Completing your RTW check
RTW checks should be completed before the work begins, and where a check is required payment cannot be made until a satisfactory check is completed and logged.
If you hold a British or Irish passport you must present your original passport to your booker or BBC contact on or before your first day of work. Other acceptable documents for British nationals are:
- British/ Irish birth certificate plus a P60, P45 or other tax document that has your National Insurance number on it.
- Any specified documents issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
If you hold any of these documents you will also need to provide a Home Office share code:
- Digital proof of Immigration Status
- Biometric Residence Card (BRC
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Frontier Worker Permit (FWP)
If you have changed your name and your documents are not all in the name you go by, please also provide evidence of your name change such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.
If you are unable to provide any of these documents please speak to your booker.
Share Codes
If you are not a UK National, you will need to complete a HMRC Online Right to Work check here. Once completed, you will be provided with a share code that you must share with the person completing your RTW check. They will send it to HR along with your documents and the RTW declaration form. Our Immigration team will then contact you to complete a virtual likeness check over a short video call.
For assistance on completing the HMRC Online Right to Work check please contact HMRC.
You may also find useful
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Freelancer Life Cycle
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Pay (Gross)
Everything you will need to know about how you are paid (self-employed for tax) -
Pay (PAYE)
Everything you will need to know about how you are paid (PAYE) -
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