Self-employed subbies now need right-to-work checks. Here’s the easy way.

What changed on 1 October 2026

Right-to-work rules used to cover employees. Since 1 October 2026 they also cover individual subcontractors and people on worker contracts.

So if you use self-employed subbies, you now need to check them too.

A Home Office minister has named construction a “high-risk sector”.

What you now have to do

• Check before they start. Not on their first day. Before.
• Keep the evidence for as long as they work for you, plus 2 years. Then destroy it securely.
• Re-check time-limited visas on or before the date their permission ends.
• Check substitutes before they start. You can’t leave it to the worker.

Read the official sources

• Home Office: Employer's guide to right to work checks (1 October 2026)
• Construction Enquirer: Right to work checks for self-employed start in October
• Crossland Solicitors: Right to work checks from 1 October 2026

Planned: not live yet

How SubCheck will work

This is what we’re building. None of it is live yet.

1. Add a subbie. SubCheck sends them a link.
2. They send their right-to-work documents or share code, CSCS card and insurance from their phone. No app, no login.
3. SubCheck tells you which check to do and walks you through it step by step. You confirm it, and it saves the evidence with the date.
4. It chases subbies before their cards, insurance or visas run out. Substitutes get checked before they start.
5. See who’s cleared for each job. Send a one-click evidence pack to a main contractor or the Home Office.

Pricing

Or pay about £4 per check elsewhere and track cards, insurance and re-checks yourself.

Get in early

Founding members lock in the lower price and get a say in what we build first.

Questions