The UK government has announced plans to introduce a compulsory digital identification system for anyone seeking employment in the country.
The system, which will confirm an individual’s legal right to live and work in the UK, is expected to be in place before the next general election, scheduled no later than 2029.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the move during the Global Progress Action Summit in London, as cited by TravelBiz. He described the digital ID as a key step in restoring control over immigration and labour market access.
“If you don’t have it, you can’t work here,” Starmer said, outlining the policy as part of the government’s broader immigration strategy.
Who Will Be Required to Use It
The digital ID will apply to several categories of people:
British citizens will need to obtain a digital ID before starting any new job.
Permanent residents must also provide proof of their digital ID before employment.
Foreign workers, already subject to visa and permit checks, will need a digital ID linked to their work authorisation.
The government disclosed that the system will be accessible without smartphones and would be free of charge. It will also serve as a central identity check for employers and public service providers.
Government Justification and Objectives
Reports note that officials argue the policy is intended to limit illegal employment and streamline service access. The government says the digital ID will:
Help prevent individuals without legal status from entering the job market.
Reduce irregular migration by limiting undocumented work opportunities.
Simplify access to public services such as healthcare, childcare, and welfare for eligible individuals.
Starmer said, “For too many years it’s been too easy for people to come here, slip into the shadow economy, and remain here illegally.” The digital ID is seen by the government as a necessary update to identity verification processes that have not significantly changed since World War II.
Impact on Migrant Workers and Employers
For foreign nationals, the digital ID will be an extra step in the job application process. The government says it will make things simpler by combining current checks into one system.
However, reports inform that some groups are concerned about possible technical problems, delays, and negative effects on migrant workers who are already at risk.
Employers in sectors dependent on foreign labour—such as hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare—are awaiting further details on how the rollout will affect recruitment processes and timelines.
Broader Immigration Policy Context
The digital ID is translated as part of Labour’s larger immigration strategy. This includes efforts to
Disrupt people-smuggling operations and reduce the number of small boat crossings across the English Channel.
Data reveals that more than 37,000 people crossed into the UK via this route in 2024, and over 30,000 have arrived so far in 2025.
Starmer described the ID system as both a functional tool and a political response to growing public concern over border control.
“We do need to know who is in our country,” he said, adding that a fair immigration system is essential for public confidence.
A public consultation will be held before the policy is finalised. If implemented as planned, the digital ID would represent the UK’s first nationwide, mandatory identity system in nearly 80 years.