The changes will be released onto ARC online system on the 27th July, 2021.
What does this mean?
- The employer journey for completing the ID check will not change. You will follow the flow within the application as normal and choose the ID documents supplied by the applicant, from the drop downs in the same way you do now.
- Any new DBS applications created from 27th July will automatically reflect the new DBS ID Guidelines.
- Any existing applications that were submitted prior to 27th July and have not been completed, will be completed with the previous ID Checking Guidelines.
What are the main changes?
- The DBS has removed references to EEA, Non-EEA, and EEA National from the guidance for Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks. The DBS now use the term UK National and Non-UK National within their guidance.
- The DBS has updated the list of Primary Documents for Non-UK Nationals.
The documents below have been removed from the list of Primary Documents for Non-UK Nationals:
- A Certificate of Application issued by the Home Office under regulation 17(3) or 18A (2) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, to a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take employment which is less than 6 months old together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
- A current Residence Card (including an Accession Residence Card or a Derivative Residence Card) issued by the Home Office to a non-European Economic Area national who is a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland or who has a derivative right of residence.
- A Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office to the family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
The documents below have been added to the list of Primary Documents for Non-UK Nationals:
- A current passport or passport card showing that the holder is a national of the Republic of Ireland.
- A current document issued by the Home Office to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, and which indicates that the holder is permitted to stay in the United Kingdom indefinitely.
- Online evidence of immigration status. Either via the View and Prove service or using the BRP or BRC online service. Issued by the Home Office to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question. Must be valid. Note: this includes the EUSS digital status confirmation.
- A current document issued by the Home Office to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, and which indicates that the holder is permitted to stay in the United Kingdom for a time limited period and to do the type of work in question.
- A frontier worker permit issued under regulation 8 of the Citizens’ Rights (Frontier Workers) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
- A document issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules on or before 30 June 2021 together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
The updated ID guidelines for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks can be found on the Government website by following this link here.
The temporary changes that were made to the ID checking guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not affected by the above changes.