Share codes replaced physical immigration documents for EU settled-status holders. Three types exist — right to work, right to rent, and a general/travel code — each with specific uses. This guide covers how to generate each one, what the checker sees, and the common problems that leave people unable to prove their status.
Share codes are the digital way to prove EU settled status. Three types: right to work (W-prefix), right to rent (R-prefix, England only), and general/travel. All 9 characters, 90-day validity, free and unlimited. Generated in 2 minutes at GOV.UK. Pre-settled expiry dates are no longer shown to employers since 13 June 2024 — no follow-up checks needed after the initial pass. |
What a share code is
An EU settled-status share code is a 9-character alphanumeric code generated through the GOV.UK online service that lets employers, landlords or government agencies verify your immigration status. The code itself doesn’t prove anything — it unlocks access to your digital status record when entered with your date of birth. Codes are valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times within that window. They are free and take under 2 minutes to generate.
There are three distinct types: right-to-work (starts with “W”), right-to-rent (starts with “R”), and a general/travel code for other purposes. Each must be generated separately — a code generated for work cannot be used by a landlord, and vice versa.
The three code types
| Code type | Prefix | Generated at | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right to work | W | gov.uk/prove-right-to-work | Employer pre-hire checks |
| Right to rent (England only) | R | gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent | Landlord tenancy checks |
| General / travel / benefits | No prefix letter | view-immigration-status.service.gov.uk/get-share-code | Travel, DWP benefits checks, other uses |
Right-to-rent share codes are only required in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not operate the right-to-rent scheme, though some Scottish and Welsh landlords voluntarily check digital status.
How to generate a share code
You need a UKVI account. If you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, you already have one — the account was created when you submitted your EUSS application.
Generation process (takes 2 minutes):
- Go to the appropriate URL (see the table above).
- Select the identity document you used to apply to the EUSS — usually a passport or national ID card.
- Enter your document number and date of birth.
- Receive a security code by SMS or email.
- Enter the security code to confirm your identity.
- The share code generates immediately on screen.
- Note the code and the 90-day expiry date.
Share it with the person who needs it, along with your date of birth — they need both to check your status. You can write the code down, text it, or copy it into an email. It’s not sensitive on its own.
What the checker sees
When an employer enters your right-to-work code at gov.uk/view-right-to-work with your date of birth, they see:
- Your name and photo.
- Your current immigration status — settled or pre-settled.
- Whether you have permission to work in the UK.
- Since 13 June 2024, no expiry date for pre-settled status is shown to employers — this was a deliberate change to remove cliff-edge hiring risk.
- A record they can save as evidence of the check.
Landlords checking a right-to-rent code see broadly similar information: your name, photo, status, and permission to rent. The landlord saves the record as part of their compliance file for the duration of the tenancy plus one year after it ends.
The 90-day validity window
Share codes expire 90 days after generation. A single code can be used multiple times by the same or different checkers within that window. If an employer or landlord doesn’t complete the check before the code expires, you simply generate a new one — no charge, no limit on how many you can create.
Some employers want a “fresh” code within a few days of interview. That’s fine. Generate a new code when requested; the underlying status is unchanged.
Scenario — the three-codes-in-one-day
Consider a realistic case. A Romanian IT contractor in London lands a new freelance contract in March 2026. The client wants a right-to-work check. Simultaneously, he’s moving flats and the new landlord needs a right-to-rent check. His job-hunting recruitment agency wants one too for their file.
He generates three separate codes the same morning: a W-prefix for the client, an R-prefix for the landlord, and another W-prefix for the agency. Each takes 2 minutes. All three expire 90 days later on the same date. He texts one to each party with his date of birth. By afternoon, all three checks are complete.
Teaching point: codes are cheap and unlimited. Generate fresh ones per checker rather than trying to reuse a single code for multiple purposes. The right-to-work code cannot be used by a landlord, and vice versa, so bundling doesn’t work.
Common problems and solutions
Signing in with a driving licence. A UK driving licence is not accepted as the identity document on the share-code service. You must use the document you used to apply to the EUSS — usually your passport or national ID card. DVLA records are a separate system from the Home Office immigration database.
Old passport number. If you’ve renewed your passport since applying to the EUSS and you haven’t updated your UKVI account, sign in with the old document. Then update the account to link the new passport for future use. Signing in with the wrong document returns an authentication error.
No security code received. The share-code service sends an SMS or email code. If your registered phone number or email has changed, recover the account first through the account-recovery service at update-your-details.homeoffice.gov.uk/account-recovery/help.
Share code rejected when entered. Usually the date of birth doesn’t match the format required. Enter DD/MM/YYYY as shown on the service. Case of the code letters also matters — enter as displayed.
BRP expired. Biometric Residence Permits expired on 31 December 2024. You can still use the BRP number to sign in to your UKVI account, but the physical card is not valid travel or identity evidence.
Travel and the general code
For travel to the UK, carriers (airlines, ferry operators) now check your permission electronically through Home Office systems, not by scanning a physical document. As long as your UKVI account has your current passport linked, travel works smoothly at check-in and at the border.
If there’s a system issue or the carrier asks for proof, the general share code (not the W or R variant) can be used. Generate it at view-immigration-status.service.gov.uk/get-share-code and share it with the carrier if asked.
Some carriers have asked travellers to generate a share code before boarding as a backup. This is not a legal requirement — carriers should be able to check electronically — but having a code ready saves time if their system fails.
Right to work for pre-settled status holders — the June 2024 change
Before 13 June 2024, employers saw the pre-settled status expiry date when they ran a right-to-work check. This caused practical problems: employers occasionally refused to hire pre-settled holders whose status was close to expiry, treating it as a cliff-edge risk.
From 13 June 2024, the expiry date is no longer shown to employers. Home Office guidance updated on 21 June 2024 confirmed that no follow-up right-to-work check is needed after the initial check passes. Once you’re in the job, the check remains valid even if your status changes from pre-settled to settled during employment.
Landlords face the same updated rules for right to rent. A single initial check is sufficient for the tenancy; follow-up checks are not required when status changes from pre-settled to settled.
Related guides
- Settled Status Login UK 2026
- EU Settlement Scheme App 2026
- EU Settled Status Auto-Extension 2026
- How to Apply for Settled Status UK 2026
Disclaimer
This guide reflects Home Office share-code services published on GOV.UK as of April 2026. Services and URLs can change. Always use the official GOV.UK domain — third-party sites offering to generate codes are fraudulent. This article is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is an EU settled status share code?
A 9-character alphanumeric code generated through GOV.UK that lets employers, landlords or government agencies verify your EU settled or pre-settled status when entered with your date of birth. Valid for 90 days, used multiple times within that window, free and unlimited. Three types exist: right to work (“W” prefix), right to rent (“R” prefix), and general.
Can I use the same share code for work and rent?
No. Each checker type needs its own code. A right-to-work code cannot be used by a landlord, and vice versa. They’re generated at different URLs and the resulting code has a different prefix letter (W or R). Generate separate codes; they’re free and unlimited.
How long is a share code valid?
90 days from generation. Within that window, it can be used multiple times by the same or different checkers. After 90 days, generate a new one — no charge, no limit.
Why can’t I generate a share code with my driving licence?
The share-code service doesn’t accept driving licences. It connects directly to the Home Office immigration database, which was set up using passports or national ID cards. DVLA records are a separate system. Sign in with the identity document you used to apply to the EUSS — usually a passport.
My employer used my share code yesterday — do I need a new one today?
No, the code is still valid for its full 90-day window. One code can be used by multiple checkers during its validity. But some employers ask for a fresh code within a few days of interview for their own process — if requested, generate a new one, it’s free.
Why does my share code not work when an employer tries to check?
Usually the date of birth isn’t matching. Confirm the employer is entering it in DD/MM/YYYY format exactly as on your immigration record. Case of the code letters matters too. If both are correct and still failing, the code may have expired (90-day limit) or your UKVI account may need updating.
Can an employer see my pre-settled status expiry date?
No, not since 13 June 2024. The Home Office removed the expiry date from the employer-facing view to prevent cliff-edge hiring concerns. Once your right-to-work check passes, the employer doesn’t need to re-check when your status changes from pre-settled to settled.
Sources
- GOV.UK — View your eVisa and get a share code
- GOV.UK — Prove your right to work to an employer
- GOV.UK — Prove your right to rent in England
- GOV.UK — Get a share code (general)
- Home Office — EUSS expiry-date visibility change (21 May 2024)
