Digital IDs to become mandatory for UK jobs under new plan
Employers will be required to verify workers’ status using new digital system
LONDON/DUBAI – Britain has confirmed plans to introduce mandatory digital IDs for citizens and legal residents seeking employment, a move the government says will strengthen border security and curb illegal working.
The digital ID will be held on mobile phones and will become compulsory for anyone starting a new job by the end of the current parliament in 2029.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scheme as “an enormous opportunity” that will make it harder to work illegally in the country.
Officials said the system could also reduce fake documents in circulation and help streamline enforcement activity.
While the move has drawn criticism from political opponents and civil liberties campaigners, the government insists it will also benefit ordinary citizens by making identity checks faster and easier.
New digital ID
The digital ID will contain personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo. Unlike traditional ID cards, it will not need to be physically carried or shown in everyday life. Instead, workers will only need to provide it when proving their right to work.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that National Insurance numbers will no longer be accepted as standalone proof. Employers will have to verify workers’ digital IDs, marking a significant change from current right-to-work checks.
How will it work?
The digital ID will function through mobile phones, in a format similar to contactless cards. The government says it is looking at international models, including systems in Australia, Estonia, Denmark and India. These allow access to a wide range of services, from healthcare to education.
The UK scheme is expected to start with employment checks but could eventually expand to cover childcare benefits, welfare support and tax records. The Home Office has already been phasing out physical permits for foreign residents, replacing them with online-only eVisas.
When will it start?
The government has not given an exact start date but confirmed the IDs will become mandatory by the end of this parliament in 2029. Officials are also exploring solutions for those without smartphones to ensure the system remains accessible.
Opposition parties and campaigners argue the scheme will do little to deter illegal working, which often relies on cash-in-hand payments, and could infringe on personal freedoms. Irish nationalist politicians have also criticised the plan, calling it divisive and damaging to cross-border arrangements in Northern Ireland.