Immigration Status Share Code – How to Generate and Use

A UK immigration status share code is a nine-character alphanumeric reference that allows individuals to prove their immigration standing without presenting physical documents. The system, operated through GOV.UK, connects directly to UK Visas and Immigration records and enables employers, landlords, and other authorised parties to verify someone’s right to work or rent in the United Kingdom.

Introduced as part of the broader shift toward digital immigration services, the share code eliminates the need to carry biometric residence permits or other paper-based proof of status. Those holding valid immigration leave, settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or other qualifying categories can generate a code instantly and share it with whoever requires confirmation of their legal standing.

Understanding how the share code system operates has become essential for anyone navigating UK immigration procedures, whether applying for employment, seeking private rented accommodation, or simply needing to demonstrate their legal status to official bodies.

What is an immigration status share code?

An immigration status share code is a unique nine-character identifier, such as A1234567G, that links directly to your UKVI record. Once generated through the official GOV.UK service, the code can be shared with employers, landlords, or any other party that needs to verify your immigration status. The receiving party enters the code alongside your date of birth on a dedicated GOV.UK verification portal to access your status information.

The system was designed to modernise how immigration status is proven, reducing reliance on physical documents like biometric residence permits. When you generate a share code, certain personal details become visible to the person or organisation you share it with, but sensitive information remains protected behind the verification process.

The share code serves multiple purposes depending on what you need to prove. You can generate a code specifically for demonstrating your right to work, which employers use to conduct mandatory checks, or one for proving your right to rent, which landlords in England must verify before offering a tenancy agreement.

Key facts about the share code system

• Share codes are completely free to generate through the official GOV.UK service
• Once generated, the same code can be reused by multiple employers or landlords within its validity period
• You must provide your date of birth alongside the code when sharing it with third parties
• The code connects directly to your UKVI record, which employers and landlords query online
• Share codes can be created at any time using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access
• Even expired biometric residence permits and biometric residence cards remain usable for generating codes up to 18 months after their expiry date
• Codes should not be reused across different purposes—generate a fresh code for each type of check

How do I generate a share code?

Generating a share code takes only a few minutes through the GOV.UK online service. The process requires you to verify your identity using an accepted document and confirm access to a phone number or email address linked to your UKVI account. No appointment or postal application is necessary.

Before beginning, ensure your UKVI records are up to date. If you have changed your name, nationality, or photograph since your last application, you should update these details first to ensure the system can properly recognise you during the verification process.

Step-by-step process

Begin by visiting www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and clicking the “Start now” button to initiate the process. The service will then guide you through a series of verification steps.

1. Select your identity document type from the available options, which include passport, national identity card, biometric residence card, or biometric residence permit, then enter the document number.
2. Enter your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format as recorded in your immigration application.
3. Choose how you wish to receive your security code—either by text message or email—and ensure this contact method matches the details held on your UKVI account.
4. Enter the six-digit security code you receive and click “Continue” to proceed.
5. Review your immigration status information, which displays your rights to work, rent, and stay in the UK, along with any applicable restrictions.
6. Scroll down to the “Prove your status” section and click through to access the share code generation options.
7. Select “Get share code” or “Create share code” depending on the options presented.
8. Choose the specific purpose for your code—either right to work or right to rent—and avoid using the same code for different types of checks.
9. Your nine-character share code will be displayed on screen, ready to be shared along with your date of birth.

What documents and details do I need?

You can generate a share code if you hold a biometric residence permit, which remains valid for this purpose even up to 18 months after its expiry date. A UKVI account, created through the EU Settlement Scheme application process, the UK Immigration: ID Check app, a visa application, or by accessing your eVisa, also qualifies you to use the service.

Those with a digital certificate of entitlement in their passport—used by certain British, Irish, and Commonwealth citizens to prove right of abode—can also generate share codes. Asylum seekers and certificate of application holders have their own specific options through the system.

How long is a share code valid and how is it used?

A share code remains valid for 90 days from the date it is generated. During this period, you can use the same code repeatedly with different employers or landlords without needing to create a new one. Once the 90-day period expires, the code automatically becomes inactive and cannot be used for any verification purposes.

Reusing an expired share code will result in verification failures, so it is important to generate a fresh code whenever you need to prove your status after the validity period has passed. The process of creating a new code takes only a few minutes, so planning ahead when you know your current code is nearing expiry can prevent unnecessary delays.

Right to work verification

When you apply for employment in the UK, your prospective employer is legally required to confirm your right to work before allowing you to start the role. Rather than presenting physical documents, you can provide your share code along with your date of birth. The employer then enters these details into the GOV.UK right to work checking service, which displays your immigration status, the type of work you are permitted to undertake, your permitted stay duration, and any conditions attached to your leave.

It is important to note that only the individual can generate their own share code—employers cannot do this on your behalf. You must create the code yourself and provide it to your employer for verification purposes.

Right to rent checks

Landlords and letting agents in England must conduct right to rent checks on all adult occupants before granting a tenancy. The Home Office provides a dedicated online service for this purpose. By entering your share code and date of birth, landlords can confirm your immigration status and eligibility to rent residential property in England.

The check will reveal certain personal details, including your name and nationality, which are displayed when the code is generated. This information is shared as part of the verification process and is necessary for landlords to maintain their compliance records.

What if my share code doesn’t work?

Several common issues can prevent a share code from working correctly during verification. Most problems have straightforward solutions that do not require contacting the Home Office directly. Understanding these potential pitfalls can help you resolve verification failures quickly.

If you are unable to access your eVisa or generate a share code, the issue may stem from incorrect personal details held on your UKVI record. Dates of birth that do not match exactly, names that have changed since your application, or outdated identity information can all cause verification failures.

Resolving common problems

When a share code is not working, the first step is to verify that you have not exceeded the 90-day validity period. Codes become inactive after this timeframe, and attempting to use them will result in errors. Generating a fresh code for the specific purpose required resolves this issue in most cases.

Incorrect date of birth entry is a frequent cause of verification failures. When sharing your code with employers or landlords, you must provide the date of birth in the exact format held on your UKVI record. Minor discrepancies, such as entering day and month in the wrong order, will cause the check to fail.

Access and account issues

If you do not have a UKVI account, you can create one using your visa application details or the confirmation email you received when you applied through the EU Settlement Scheme. The account creation process requires you to verify your identity using the same document details provided in your original immigration application.

Security code delivery problems can occur if the phone number or email address registered with UKVI is no longer accessible. If you cannot receive the six-digit verification code, try using the alternate contact method. If both options fail, you may need to update your UKVI contact details before proceeding.

For persistent issues that cannot be resolved through the online service, the GOV.UK eVisa guidance pages provide additional support options. However, the service does not currently offer direct phone or email support, so resolving issues through the online portal is the primary route.

Can I generate a share code for someone else?

No. The share code system is designed so that only the individual whose immigration status is being verified can generate the code. Employers, landlords, and other third parties cannot create share codes on behalf of the people they need to check. This security feature ensures that individuals maintain control over when and how their immigration information is accessed.

If someone else attempts to generate a code using your details without your knowledge or consent, they would still require access to your UKVI-linked phone or email to receive the security verification code, which provides an additional layer of protection.

Understanding share code validity and documentation

The transition from physical immigration documents to fully digital status verification is ongoing. Biometric residence permits, which were once the standard proof of immigration status, are no longer being issued for most visa routes and are being phased out entirely. The Home Office has accelerated this transition, with all immigration status now recorded digitally in the eVisa system.

Despite this shift, existing biometric residence permits and biometric residence cards remain valid for generating share codes for up to 18 months after their printed expiry date. This grace period allows individuals time to adapt to the new digital system without losing their ability to prove their status.

1. 2018The digital share code service was launched as part of efforts to modernise immigration documentation and reduce reliance on physical documents.
2. 2020The transition away from physical documents accelerated, with increased emphasis on online verification through the UKVI system.
3. 2024Full eVisa transition accelerated, with new immigration routes issued digitally and existing BRP holders encouraged to register for online services.

Facts and common misconceptions

The broader context of digital immigration status

The introduction of the share code system reflects a fundamental shift in how immigration status is managed and verified in the United Kingdom. This move toward digital documentation aligns with broader government initiatives to modernise public services and reduce administrative burden on both individuals and organisations.

The system benefits employers and landlords by streamlining what was previously a complex document-checking process. Rather than examining physical documents, manually recording details, and retaining copies for compliance purposes, verification can now be completed in minutes through an online portal with real-time access to Home Office records.

For individuals, the digital approach offers greater convenience and security. There is no need to carry physical documents for the purpose of proving status, and the risk of losing or damaging important immigration papers is eliminated. The system also allows for immediate status updates, as any changes to your immigration leave are reflected in your UKVI record and consequently in any share code generated afterward.

“The online service allows you to view and prove your immigration status whenever you need to—for example, when applying for a job or renting a property.”

— GOV.UK guidance on proving immigration status

Summary and key takeaways

The UK immigration status share code provides a secure, free, and straightforward method for proving your legal right to work or rent in the United Kingdom. By linking directly to your UKVI record, the nine-character code enables instant verification without the need to present physical documents like biometric residence permits.

Understanding how to generate and use share codes has become increasingly important as the UK continues its transition to fully digital immigration status. Whether you are applying for employment, seeking accommodation, or simply need to confirm your legal standing, the share code system offers a practical solution that is accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

For those navigating UK immigration processes, staying informed about official GOV.UK guidance is essential. The Gov.uk Renew Driving Licence at 70 – Complete DVLA Guide and other resources on City Reporter can help with related administrative procedures as you establish yourself in the UK.

Frequently asked questions