Verifying an employee’s right to work is one of the most critical first steps in any hiring process. But when you're operating across borders, the process becomes exponentially more complex. Different countries have vastly different visa categories, document requirements, and employer obligations.

Getting it wrong doesn’t just delay onboarding - it can result in fines, visa cancellations, or reputational damage. 

At ThinkGlobal HR, we help businesses build systems that verify employee eligibility quickly, accurately, and legally - wherever in the world they’re hiring. We also partner with tools we trust, like VisaDoc, to make the process seamless.

Quick Tips

• Understand the local definition of a “legal right to work” in each country

• Keep digital records of all right-to-work checks with expiry dates noted

• Train hiring managers on what documents to request and how to assess them

• Use specialist platforms like VisaDoc to streamline visa validation

• Review verification processes annually to keep up with regulatory changes

Why the Process Varies So WidelyEach country has unique work visa categories and eligibility requirements. According to Velocity Global, even countries that offer similar visa types (like intra-company transfers or skilled worker permits) will differ in required documentation, processing times, and compliance responsibilities.

For example:

• In the UK, right-to-work checks are mandatory before employment begins and must be recorded for every employee, including British nationals.

• In the US, all employees must complete Form I-9 within the first three days of work, with employers retaining documents for years after employment ends.

• In Australia, employers are required to verify work rights through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.

• In Germany, strict visa compliance audits are common, and the onus is on employers to confirm permit validity before any work begins.

These local nuances make it impossible to manage global verification with a single, centralised checklist.

Why We Love VisaDoc

We’ve seen how much time and risk are saved when companies adopt a smart, digital-first approach. VisaDoc is one of our favourite tools for this. It simplifies the process of uploading, validating, and tracking right-to-work documents for employees in the UK and beyond. With automated expiry alerts and secure audit trails, it makes compliance easy - especially for businesses scaling quickly.

Clients we’ve supported have used VisaDoc to manage hundreds of document checks across multiple jurisdictions, reducing administrative workload and ensuring every hire is legally sound from day one.

Real-World Impact: A Scalable Solution for Remote Hires

A client expanding into five countries through remote hires needed a solution that worked fast and didn’t overwhelm their HR team. They had previously relied on manual document collection and email chains - a process that led to missed expiry dates and two near-compliance breaches.

We helped them implement a streamlined verification system, paired with local legal guidance to understand each country’s obligations. Within two months, every new hire had been cleared correctly, and the HR team had full visibility of all visa statuses, timelines, and documentation.

Build Verification Into Your Hiring DNAEmployee verification shouldn’t be an afterthought. It needs to be part of your core onboarding flow, integrated with your ATS or HRIS, and championed by hiring managers.

• Set up workflows that trigger verification checks before contracts are issued

• Use secure cloud systems for document retention and expiry tracking

• Offer visa support or sponsorship guidance to international candidates

• Partner with trusted providers who understand global hiring complexities

Final Thoughts

Right-to-work verification is the first handshake between your business and a new hire. Done well, it builds confidence, trust, and compliance. Done poorly, it can unravel fast. With the right tools, training, and strategic support, it doesn’t need to be complicated.

What’s next for your global people strategy?

Book a free onboarding or compliance audit with ThinkGlobal HR. We’ll review your current employee verification processes, recommend tools like VisaDoc where appropriate, and help you scale with confidence - one legal, welcome hire at a time.