Identity Service Providers (IDSP)
What are Identity Service Providers for right to work checks? Understand digital identity verification as an alternative to manual checks.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
Identity Service Providers offer digital verification as an alternative to manual checks.
What Are IDSPs?
Definition
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certified providers | Government-approved |
| Digital verification | Identity checks |
| Chip reading | Passport technology |
| Alternative | To manual checks |
Purpose
| Use | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Remote checking | Without physical meeting |
| Higher security | Chip verification |
| Faster process | Automated |
| Convenience | For employer and employee |
Who Can Use IDSPs
For British and Irish Citizens Only
| Person | IDSP Available |
|---|---|
| British citizen | Yes |
| Irish citizen | Yes |
| EU Settled Status | No - use Home Office |
| Other visa holders | No - use Home Office |
Document Requirements
| Passport Type | IDSP Compatible |
|---|---|
| Chipped passport | Yes |
| Non-chipped | No (manual check) |
| Expired (chipped) | May work |
How IDSPs Work
The Technology
| Feature | Function |
|---|---|
| NFC chip reading | Passport data |
| Biometric verification | Facial match |
| Document authentication | Security features |
| Database cross-check | Validity |
Process for Employees
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download IDSP app |
| 2 | Scan passport chip (NFC) |
| 3 | Take selfie |
| 4 | App matches to passport photo |
| 5 | Result sent to employer |
Process for Employers
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose IDSP provider |
| 2 | Send link to employee |
| 3 | Employee completes check |
| 4 | Receive confirmation |
| 5 | Store for records |
Benefits
For Employers
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Remote hiring | No physical meeting |
| Time saving | Automated process |
| Higher accuracy | Chip verification |
| Reduced fraud | Technology barriers |
For Employees
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Convenience | From anywhere |
| Quick process | Minutes |
| No document posting | Keeps passport |
| Any time | 24/7 availability |
Security Advantages
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Chip reading | Hard to fake |
| Biometric match | Confirms identity |
| Database checks | Up-to-date |
| Audit trail | Complete record |
Choosing an IDSP
Certified Providers
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Must be certified | By government |
| Digital Identity | Certification scheme |
| Check gov.uk | For approved list |
Comparing Providers
| Factor | Consider |
|---|---|
| Cost | Per check |
| Speed | Turnaround time |
| Support | For issues |
| Integration | With your systems |
Questions to Ask
| Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| Are you certified? | Required |
| What's the cost? | Budgeting |
| Success rate? | Reliability |
| Support available? | If issues arise |
Costs
Typical Pricing
| Provider Type | Range |
|---|---|
| Per check | £5-20 |
| Bulk discount | Often available |
| Subscription | Some offer |
Who Pays
| Arrangement | Common |
|---|---|
| Employer | Most common |
| Agency | If using one |
| Not employee | Generally |
Cost Comparison
| vs Manual Check | Cost |
|---|---|
| Manual | Free (staff time) |
| IDSP | Fee per check |
| But | Time savings offset |
When IDSPs Don't Work
Technical Failures
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Phone incompatible | Use manual check |
| Chip reading fails | Try again or manual |
| App issues | Manual fallback |
Document Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| No chip in passport | Manual check required |
| Very old passport | May not have chip |
| Damaged chip | Manual check |
Fallback to Manual
| If IDSP Fails | Can Do |
|---|---|
| Manual check | Always option |
| In-person | If needed |
| Same documents | Still acceptable |
IDSP vs Other Methods
Compared to Manual Check
| Feature | IDSP | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | Yes | Video possible |
| Speed | Fast | Takes longer |
| Cost | Fee | Staff time |
| Security | Higher | Dependent on skill |
Compared to Home Office Online
| Feature | IDSP | Home Office |
|---|---|---|
| For who | British/Irish | eVisa/EUSS holders |
| Method | Passport chip | Share code |
| Employer action | Receive confirmation | Enter code online |
Record Keeping
What IDSP Provides
| Record | Format |
|---|---|
| Confirmation | Digital certificate |
| Identity verified | Timestamp |
| Document details | Recorded |
| Audit trail | For compliance |
What to Keep
| Record | How Long |
|---|---|
| IDSP confirmation | Employment + 2 years |
| Digital certificate | Same period |
| Any additional docs | Same period |
Statutory Excuse
IDSP Checks Qualify
| If Used Correctly | Result |
|---|---|
| Statutory excuse | Established |
| Defence | To civil penalty |
| Same protection | As manual check |
Requirements
| Must | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use certified IDSP | On approved list |
| Keep records | Of confirmation |
| Person matches | Identity verified |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Remote Hire
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| New hire works remotely | IDSP check |
| Never meeting in person | No problem |
| Digital confirmation | Received |
Scenario 2: High Volume Hiring
| Situation | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Many new starters | Efficient process |
| Different locations | All remote |
| Cost effective | At scale |
Scenario 3: IDSP Fails
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Passport chip won't read | Manual check instead |
| Arrange in-person | Or video call |
| Same documents | Still valid |
Limitations
Only British and Irish
| Important | Detail |
|---|---|
| Not for | Other nationalities |
| Even settled | Must use Home Office |
| No eVisas | Only passports |
Chipped Passports Only
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| NFC chip | Must have |
| Older passports | May not have |
| Check first | Before sending link |
For Employers
Implementation
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Research providers |
| 2 | Check certification |
| 3 | Compare costs |
| 4 | Set up account |
| 5 | Train HR team |
| 6 | Communicate to staff |
Best Practices
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Have manual backup | If IDSP fails |
| Clear instructions | For employees |
| Track confirmations | Compliance |
| Review annually | Provider still suitable |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| For British/Irish only | Passports |
| Optional | Not required |
| Certified providers | Check list |
| Digital confirmation | Keep records |
| Cost | Per check fee |
When to Use
| Good For | Detail |
|---|---|
| Remote hiring | No meeting needed |
| Volume hiring | Efficiency |
| Speed | Faster than manual |
Related answers
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Right to Work Checks: UK Employer Guide
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Manual Right to Work Check
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Identity Service Provider (IDSP)?
- An IDSP is a certified company that performs digital right to work checks for British and Irish citizens. They use technology to read passport chips and verify identity, providing an alternative to manual document checks.
- Do I have to use an IDSP for right to work checks?
- No. IDSPs are optional for British and Irish citizens only. You can still do manual checks with physical documents. For non-British/Irish workers with digital immigration status, you must use the Home Office online service.
- How much does using an IDSP cost?
- Costs vary by provider - typically £5-20 per check. Some providers offer bulk discounts. The employer usually pays, though some pass costs to recruitment agencies. Compare providers for best value.