In the United Kingdom, your immigration status defines your legal right to stay, work, study, and access public services. Proving that status is not just a technicality—it’s essential. Whether you’re applying for a job, renting a flat, registering with the NHS, or accessing public benefits, you’ll often be asked to prove your immigration status quickly and accurately.
The process isn’t always straightforward. Since the UK has moved towards digital-only proof, confusion is common—especially for EU nationals, Commonwealth citizens, and those with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). At Salam Immigration, we’ve seen how unclear documentation or missing evidence can delay or derail key life steps. This guide gives you a precise, no-nonsense breakdown of what you need, where to find it, and how to use it effectively.
What Is Proof of Settlement and Why It Matters
Proof of settlement refers to official confirmation that you have the legal right to remain in the UK long-term. It applies to people who have been granted Settled Status, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or permanent residence. These statuses allow you to live, work, study, and access public funds without restriction.
To prove your immigration status, you need to show acceptable evidence when requested by an employer, landlord, local authority, or other official body. The UK Government no longer issues physical documents for most settlement routes. Instead, it relies on a digital status system—meaning your proof exists online, not in your wallet.
Failure to prove your immigration status can result in job loss, delays in renting property, issues with travel, or even denial of public services. That’s why it’s critical to understand exactly how to prove your immigration status in any situation, and what documents or online systems are available to do so.
For example, if you’re covered under the EU Settlement Scheme, your status is held digitally, and you’ll need to access your online profile on the Home Office portal. Others with ILR or pre-settled status may need to provide a share code, a National Insurance number, or other digital proof of status.
Need support gathering your settlement documents? Contact Salam Immigration for expert help proving your immigration status.
Who Needs to Prove Their Immigration Status?
Everyone living in the UK who is not a British citizen may need to prove their immigration status at some point. This applies across a wide range of circumstances, from applying for a job to accessing healthcare or renting a property.
You’ll be expected to provide proof of your right to reside if you are:
- A non-British national with a visa or residence permit
- An EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen under the EU Settlement Scheme
- A Commonwealth citizen with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Right of Abode
- A refugee or person with humanitarian protection
- A dependent of someone who holds immigration status
- A person applying for benefits or accessing public funds
For many, the need to prove your immigration status arises suddenly—such as during employment checks or housing applications. Having your proof ready in advance helps you avoid stressful delays or rejections. Along with the proof you need to provide Immigration skills charge as well to keep up with your immigration status.
Since the government phased out physical documents like residence cards and Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for many routes, relying on digital evidence is now the norm. You must know where to access your status online, how to generate a share code, and what to do if your details are incorrect or inaccessible.
Employers, landlords, and public agencies are legally required to verify your right to work, rent, or claim benefits. If you cannot prove your immigration status, they are not permitted to proceed—no matter how long you’ve lived in the UK.
Not sure if your status is up to date? Let Salam Immigration check and confirm your right to live and work in the UK.
Types of Immigration Status Accepted in the UK
To successfully prove your immigration status in the UK, you must first understand what kind of status you hold. Each type comes with different rights—and different forms of acceptable proof.
Here are the most common types of UK immigration status:
1. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Holders of ILR have the right to stay in the UK without time limits. ILR is usually granted after five years of continuous lawful residence. While physical ILR documents still exist for older cases, newer approvals are typically digital.
You can prove your immigration status through the Home Office’s online system, using your date of birth and identity document number to access your profile and generate a share code.
2. Settled or Pre-Settled Status (EU Settlement Scheme)
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who applied under the EU Settlement Scheme either hold Settled Status (if they’ve lived in the UK for five or more years) or Pre-Settled Status (less than five years). These statuses are entirely digital—no card or paper confirmation is issued.
To prove status, you must log into your online account and create a share code that third parties (like employers or landlords) can use to check your right to reside.
3. Limited Leave to Remain / Skilled Worker / Student / Family Visas
Anyone in the UK on a time-limited visa—like a Skilled Worker, Student, or Spouse visa—also needs to prove their immigration status regularly. Most will have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or a digital status viewable online.
BRPs are gradually being phased out, so visa holders are expected to transition to digital proof systems before the 2025 deadline.
4. Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection
If you have been granted asylum or humanitarian protection, you will have a unique status document or digital proof depending on the year and route of your grant. Either way, you’re required to prove your immigration status when accessing housing, work, or education.
5. British National (Overseas) or Commonwealth Citizens with Right of Abode
Some individuals hold special statuses due to historical ties to the UK. They may not have standard visas but still have the right to live and work in the country. These individuals must often request a confirmation letter or apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to help prove their immigration status clearly.
Knowing your immigration category is the first step toward producing the correct evidence—and avoiding errors that can delay or block your access to services.
Unsure what your current status means? Salam Immigration can identify it and help you get official proof fast.
How to Access Your Digital Immigration Status
Since the UK government phased out many physical immigration documents, most migrants and settled individuals now hold digital-only proof of immigration status. If you need to prove your immigration status, you’ll do it through the Home Office’s online “View and Prove” service.
This system is essential for:
- Providing proof to employers, landlords, universities, or public services
- Checking your own rights (work, rent, NHS use, etc.)
- Updating your personal details
- Reissuing a share code when required
Here’s how to use it effectively:
Step 1: Go to the Official Gov.uk Portal
Visit the View and Prove Your Immigration Status page.
Step 2: Sign In
You’ll need:
- The identity document you used in your original immigration application (passport, ID card, BRP)
- Your date of birth
- Access to the email or phone number you used to apply
You’ll receive a security code to verify your identity each time you log in.
Step 3: View or Share Your Status
Once inside, you can:
- Check your current immigration status
- View your conditions (e.g. work restrictions, public funds access)
- Generate a share code to give a third party temporary access to your status
Share codes are valid for 90 days, and you can generate new ones anytime. Employers and landlords are required to check your status directly through this system—they cannot rely on screenshots or printed copies.
Step 4: Update Personal Information
If your passport or contact details change, you must update your digital profile. Failing to do so could prevent you from accessing services or renewing your visa.
This system replaces the need to carry physical proof for most immigration statuses. But if you can’t access it or experience issues, you’re entitled to request help from the UKVI Resolution Centre or consult an immigration adviser.
Need help accessing your Home Office profile? Salam Immigration can guide you through every step to prove your immigration status quickly and accurately.
Using Share Codes to Prove Your Immigration Status
In today’s UK immigration system, the share code is your digital key. It’s the mechanism that allows employers, landlords, universities, and government departments to verify your legal status. If you need to prove your immigration status, generating and providing a valid share code is the most reliable method.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Share Code?
A share code is a unique, time-limited alphanumeric code that gives someone temporary access to view your immigration details via the UK Government’s online system. The code doesn’t reveal sensitive personal data—it simply confirms whether you have the right to:
- Work in the UK
- Rent property
- Access public services (e.g. NHS or DWP)
When You’ll Need It
You’ll typically be asked to provide a share code when:
- Starting a new job
- Signing a tenancy agreement
- Applying for benefits
- Registering at a university or college
- Proving eligibility for NHS treatment
Third parties will go to the Home Office’s ‘View a Job Applicant’s Right to Work’ or ‘View a Tenant’s Right to Rent’ services and enter the share code alongside your date of birth.
They are legally required to check your status this way. Printed proof or screenshots are not accepted as valid evidence to prove your immigration status.
How to Generate a Share Code
- Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- Log in with your identity document and verification method
- Choose the purpose for the code (e.g. “prove your right to work”)
- Generate the code and share it securely (e.g. via email or verbally)
Codes are valid for 90 days, and you can create new ones anytime. If you’re unsure whether the code works, test it yourself using a different browser or ask the employer or landlord to verify it directly.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Expired codes: If your share code is older than 90 days, it will not work
- Wrong purpose selected: Always choose the right type (e.g. work, rent, study)
- Incorrect personal details: Ensure your date of birth matches your ID exactly
- Access issues: If you’ve changed your passport or lost access to your old email or phone, update your status account immediately
Having a working share code ready before interviews or applications can save time, reduce stress, and show that you’re organised and compliant.
Need help creating a share code or facing login issues? Contact Salam Immigration for direct support to prove your immigration status efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best way to prove your immigration status in the UK?
The most reliable and official way to prove your immigration status is through the UK Government’s digital portal at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. From there, you can access your status online and generate a share code for employers, landlords, or other agencies to verify your right to work, rent, or receive services.
2. Can I use a BRP card to prove my immigration status?
You can still use a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as physical proof if it hasn’t expired and your status isn’t exclusively held online. However, BRPs are being phased out by 2025, and many visa routes now require digital proof only. Always check your status online to confirm what method applies to you.
3. How do I know if I have digital immigration status?
If you applied for your visa or status after 2019—or if you’re under the EU Settlement Scheme—your status is likely digital. To check, visit the official immigration status portal and log in with your ID details. This is where you’ll access all digital records used to prove your immigration status.
4. What happens if I can’t access my status online?
If you cannot access your profile due to lost contact details, expired ID, or technical issues, you must contact the UKVI Resolution Centre. They can help you regain access or update your details. Salam Immigration can also assist you with regaining access to your digital status swiftly.
5. Can employers accept printed documents?
No. Employers must check your right to work online using a share code. Screenshots or printouts of your immigration status do not meet legal requirements. They must access your profile through the Home Office portal and confirm your eligibility directly.
6. What if my immigration status is incorrect?
Mistakes in your immigration records can lead to serious consequences when trying to prove your immigration status. If you see incorrect information (e.g. misspelled names, wrong visa type, or expired data), you must report it to the Home Office immediately. Legal assistance is strongly recommended in these cases.
7. Is Settled Status the same as Indefinite Leave to Remain?
They are similar but not identical. Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme offers many of the same rights as Indefinite Leave to Remain, including the right to reside permanently in the UK. However, the legal basis and application process differ. Both types allow you to prove your immigration status digitally via the same system.
8. Do children need to prove their immigration status?
Yes—especially if they’re applying for school places, benefits, or passports. Children of EU nationals or visa holders must be included in settlement or visa applications. Parents can access the child’s digital profile using their details and provide proof when needed.
9. Can I still use my passport stamp or vignette?
Not in most cases. Entry stamps and visa vignettes in passports are no longer valid as standalone proof of status for ongoing residence. You must use the current online status system or a physical BRP, if applicable, to prove your immigration status.
10. What if I’ve never been asked to prove my immigration status?
You might not have needed to before—but rules change. Whether applying for jobs, housing, benefits, or school places, more and more agencies require direct verification through the Home Office portal. It’s wise to check your access and be ready in advance.
Need Help Proving Your Immigration Status?
Whether you’re applying for a job, renewing a visa, or securing housing, the ability to prove your immigration status quickly and correctly is essential. At Salam Immigration, we specialise in making sure your status is clear, accurate, and accessible—so you never face unnecessary barriers.
Book a consultation with Salam Immigration today
