An immigration status share code is a unique 9-character combination of letters and numbers, generated in a UKVI account, that lets you prove your immigration status digitally in the UK. Your share code is valid for 90 days after generation, and different code types exist for different services, such as right to work or right to rent checks.
Share codes allow third parties to view immigration status when used alongside the holder’s date of birth on the official “check someone’s immigration status” service. Employers, landlords, carriers and universities can use the code to verify a person’s rights and restrictions online.
If your immigration status share code does not work, your UKVI account cannot be accessed, or your eVisa shows the wrong details, Salam Immigration can help resolve the issue quickly.
What Is an Immigration Status Share Code?
The UK is shifting away from physical documents like the biometric residence card and biometric residence permit towards fully digital immigration records known as eVisas. Understanding how to prove your immigration status with proof of settlement is now essential, and the immigration status share code is the main way to prove your immigration status online under this new system.
Put simply, it is a secure temporary code generated through a UKVI account. The code consists of a unique combination of letters and numbers, nine characters in total, created via the official “view and prove your immigration status” service on GOV.UK. It does not replace your underlying status. It only grants permission for someone else to see it.
When a third party uses your code, they can view:
- Your visa type (for example Skilled Worker, Student, or Partner)
- Whether you have the right to work or rent
- Any work conditions or restrictions
- The expiry date of your permission
An immigration status share code UK lasts 90 days from creation and can be used more than once during that window. After that date, it expires automatically and you will need to generate a fresh one. Share codes are purpose-specific and cannot be reused for different verification purposes. For example, a code to prove right to work is separate from one for right to rent.
How to Access Your UKVI Account and See Your Immigration Status Online
Alt text: An immigration lawyer and a client reviewing documents and discussing how to generate a share code to prove the client’s immigration status online.
Most modern UK visas and immigration decisions are now stored digitally in a UKVI account. A UKVI account is created when you are granted pre settled or settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme, or when you use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or apply through recent online forms.
To sign in and check immigration status with share code, follow these steps:
- Visit the official GOV.UK “view and prove your immigration status” page.
- Enter the identity document number (passport, national identity card, or biometric residence permit) used in your application.
- Input your date of birth.
- Verify using the mobile phone number or email address linked to your account.
You need a mobile number and email to access your UKVI account. If you cannot remember which document is linked, try the most recent passport and check old Home Office correspondence for confirmation. Once logged in, you can see your current immigration details, conditions and personal details, and you can update personal details in your UKVI account online, such as your contact email or phone.
If any data on screen, such as your name, birth date or passport number, is wrong, correct it before generating any codes.
How to Get a Share Code to Prove Immigration Status
The process to obtain an immigration status share code involves signing in to the UKVI account and generating the code. You need a UKVI account to generate a share code. Once inside, follow these steps:
- Select “Prove your status” or “Get a share code”
- Choose the reason: “prove my right to work”, “prove my right to rent”, or “another reason”
- Review the preview screen showing exactly what immigration details will be shared
- Confirm to generate the 9-character code
Right to work share codes start with “W”, right to rent codes with “R”, and general status codes with “S”. Using the correct type matters because employers will reject a code that does not match their check.
You can share an immigration status share code via email or phone with the organisation requesting it, or send a secure link generated by the service, especially where you hold UK work visas such as Skilled Worker or temporary work routes.
Individuals can generate a new share code UK whenever necessary, e.g. starting a new job, changing landlord, enrolling at a university, or preparing for travel where carriers must verify status. To keep codes safe, only share them with trusted organisations and avoid posting them on any website or public forum.
The preview display of share code reveals personal information, so treat it carefully.
How Employers, Landlords and Others Check Someone’s Immigration Status
Employers, landlords, universities and transport carriers increasingly must check immigration status online rather than accepting physical documents. A share code is used in conjunction with a date of birth to verify a person’s immigration status.
The steps for a checker are straightforward:
- Go to the relevant GOV.UK service, such as “check a job applicant’s right to work”.
- Enter the 9-character immigration status share code and the person’s date of birth.
- Confirm the purpose of the check (for example, employment or tenancy).
- View the result page showing status, conditions, and time limits.
Share codes can be used for right to work or rent checks, and to view a person’s rights and restrictions. Employers should download or print a copy of the result, record the date, and retain evidence for the duration of employment plus at least two years to maintain a statutory excuse against civil penalties.
If the service cannot confirm status, for example where there is an outstanding application or appeal, employers may need to use the Employer Checking Service. This can issue a Positive or Negative Verification Notice, typically within five working days.
Alt text: An employer is seated at a desk, in front of a computer monitor displaying a verification result page that features a green tick icon, indicating successful proof of immigration status.
Common Problems With Share Codes and How Salam Immigration Can Help
The digital system does not always work smoothly, and problems with the immigration status share code or account access can put job offers, tenancies, and travel plans at risk. Typical issues include:
- Cannot log into the UKVI account because the linked mobile number or email address has changed
- The eVisa shows incorrect immigration status or the wrong expiry date
- The share code does not work for the employer or landlord because the wrong type was generated
- No eVisa exists yet, but proof of status is urgently needed
If an error appears on your record, you should report it through the official GOV.UK form and provide copies of decision letters and previous correspondence. Furthermore, new UK immigration rules coming into force in 2026 may affect your position and seeking specialist legal support for immigration status share code can lead to a faster correction.
Practical Tips for Using Your Immigration Status Share Code Safely
Careful use of share codes protects your personal data and avoids delays. Keep these points in mind:
- Ensure the identity document in your UKVI account (for example a new passport) matches the details you give to airlines, employers and landlords. Update your account before travel or a job start date.
- Generate a fresh code shortly before it is needed rather than relying on one close to its 90-day expiry.
- Keep a secure offline copy. Print or download a PDF of the preview screen in case you lose internet access when a check is carried out.
- Never send codes through public social media or unprotected forums. Use secure channels such as encrypted email or employer application portals.
When used correctly, the immigration status share code is a reliable way to prove UK immigration rights without carrying physical documents, and it forms an important part of planning a compliant move to the UK for work, study or family reasons. For travellers, carry the same passport linked to your UKVI account and allow extra time at the airport.
If your status appears wrong before departure, request legal advice immediately.
Get Expert Advice For Your Immigration Status Share Code
At Salam Immigration, we assist with these exact situations every day. Our team of over 20 accredited immigration lawyers, based across multiple UK offices, can:
- Review your online immigration record against Home Office guidance and original decision letters
- Advise on the correct way to prove status where an immigration status share code is not possible
- Prepare professionally drafted letters of representation to request corrections
- Support employers, landlords and education providers who need to complete compliant checks
We work across family visas, Skilled Worker routes, sponsor licence support, asylum, nationality and EU Settlement Scheme cases. If problems with your immigration status share code are blocking employment, study or housing, contact us for a consultation.
Early advice can prevent refusals, penalties and disrupted plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does an Immigration Status Share Code Last?
A share code lasts 90 days from the date it is created. If an employer or landlord tries to use an expired code, the system will not display the status. You simply generate a new one. Creating a fresh code does not change your underlying visa or its expiry date.
Can I Still Use My Biometric Residence Permit Instead of a Share Code?
The Home Office is phasing out physical documents in favour of eVisas. Many employers and landlords must now use the online system, but in limited situations physical permits may still be valid according to current Home Office guidance. If your document is near its printed expiry date, seek legal advice to avoid gaps in proof.
What If My UKVI Account Shows the Wrong Immigration Status?
Errors can include the wrong visa category, incorrect expiry date, or missing rights. Use the official GOV.UK form to report an error with your eVisa, providing copies of decision letters and correspondence as evidence. In urgent cases, such as risk of job loss, obtain specialist immigration advice from a firm like Salam Immigration to press for a faster correction.
Can Someone Else Create an Immigration Status Share Code on My Behalf?
Only you should sign into your UKVI account and generate share codes, because the process uses personal security steps such as verification codes sent to your phone or email. A trusted representative may sit with you during the process, but should not hold your passwords. Sharing login details is risky and may expose you to identity theft.
What If I Cannot Access the Phone Number or Email Linked to My UKVI Account?
This is a common problem after changing phones or email providers. Use the account recovery options on the GOV.UK sign-in page, which may include alternative verification routes. If recovery does not work, contact UK Visas and Immigration directly or seek legal support to regain access and prove your immigration status online without further delay.
