Last reviewed: May 2026
Key facts:- A share code is a 9-character code that lets a third party check the holder UK immigration status on gov.uk.
- Different share codes are generated for different purposes: right to work for employers, right to rent for landlords, and a general purpose code for other checks.
- Each code is valid for 30 to 90 days depending on the purpose, and can only be viewed by the recipient combined with the holder date of birth.
UK Visa and Immigration Hub › Eu Settled Status Share Code How To Use 2026
Share codes are central to the UK digital immigration system. They let employers, landlords and other checkers verify immigration status quickly without handling physical documents. This upgraded guide explains the different types of share code, how to generate them through the gov.uk service, how to share them safely, and what they show the recipient. It covers EU Settlement Scheme holders, points-based visa holders and other categories.
What Share Codes Are For
Share codes are the standard way of proving UK immigration status digitally. They are generated on the gov.uk View and Prove your immigration status service and given to employers, landlords or other parties who need to verify status.
Each share code has a specific purpose: right to work codes for employers (90 day validity), right to rent codes for landlords (90 day validity, England only), and general purpose codes for other circumstances such as opening a bank account or applying for benefits (30 day validity).
The codes work because they grant time-limited, identity-checked access to the underlying immigration record. The recipient enters the code plus the holder date of birth on the corresponding check service and sees the relevant information.
Generating a Share Code Step by Step
Sign in to the View and Prove your immigration status service on gov.uk using a UKVI account. The account is created during the original visa or status application. The sign-in uses an email address, password and the holder identity document number.
Select the type of share code needed. The service guides the applicant through generating the right code for the purpose. The code is a 9-character alphanumeric string displayed on screen and emailed to the holder.
Send the code to the recipient using whichever method is appropriate - email, text message, in person or through a HR portal. The recipient also needs the holder date of birth in addition to the code to access the immigration profile.
Different Purposes - Which Code to Generate
Right to work codes are used by employers carrying out the statutory right to work check before employment starts. The check is required under section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and provides the employer with a statutory excuse against civil penalties for employing illegal workers.
Right to rent codes are used by landlords in England carrying out the statutory right to rent check before granting a tenancy. The check is required under section 22 of the Immigration Act 2014. Right to rent does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
General purpose codes are used for other purposes - opening a bank account, applying for benefits, accessing certain services. They have a shorter validity (30 days) and may carry less detail than the right to work or right to rent profiles.
Sharing the Code Safely
Share codes are safe to share because they only work when combined with the holder date of birth. Even if a code is intercepted, the recipient cannot use it without the date of birth.
Best practice is to send the code through a secure channel - the employer HR portal, a verified email address, or in person. Sending codes through unverified channels is technically safe but increases the risk of mistakes or impersonation.
Once used, the recipient saves a copy of the immigration profile and keeps it for the appropriate retention period. The holder does not need to do anything further once the code has been generated and shared.
What the Recipient Sees
When the recipient enters the share code and date of birth, the gov.uk Check service returns a profile page. The profile shows the holder photograph, full name, date of birth, immigration status, conditions and restrictions, and any expiry date.
The profile clearly states whether the holder has the right to work, right to rent or other relevant entitlement. Where the right is time-limited, the expiry date is shown so the recipient can plan follow-up checks.
The recipient must save a clear copy of the profile - usually a PDF download or screenshot - and retain it for the relevant period. For employers this is the duration of employment plus two years. For landlords it is the duration of the tenancy plus one year.
Specific Share Code Scenarios
Job application. The applicant generates a right to work code through View and Prove and sends it to the employer. The employer checks on the gov.uk service before the start date. The code is saved with the employer right to work records.
Renting a property in England. The applicant generates a right to rent code. The landlord (or letting agent) checks on the gov.uk Check right to rent service. The check is required for new tenancies in England.
Opening a bank account. Some banks accept share codes as part of identity verification. The applicant generates a general-purpose code and shares it with the bank. The bank uses the code to verify the immigration status as part of the broader identity check.
Applying for benefits. DWP can verify the applicant immigration status directly through internal channels rather than requiring a share code. Share codes are not normally part of the benefits application process.
Where to Get Free Independent Help
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulates immigration advisers in the UK. The OISC adviser register at gov.uk lists qualified advisers who can provide regulated immigration advice on share code uk. Advice from a non-regulated person is a criminal offence under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) is a charity that provides free advice and casework support on immigration and nationality issues. JCWI is OISC-regulated and can take on representation in some cases. The JCWI website at jcwi.org.uk lists current services.
Citizens Advice provides free initial advice on share code uk and can refer onwards to OISC-regulated immigration advisers for casework. Some local Citizens Advice offices have OISC accreditation for level 1 or 2 immigration advice.
Refugee Council, Refugee Action and similar charities provide specialist advice for refugees and asylum seekers. The British Red Cross also operates an immigration and refugee service. For asylum-related queries, the Migrant Help national service is the first point of contact.
For employment-related immigration issues (Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, right to work checks, etc.), the Home Office sponsor compliance team is the relevant body. The gov.uk sponsor licence pages set out the rules and obligations for licensed sponsors.
The Immigration Tribunal handles appeals against Home Office decisions on visas, settlement and citizenship. The tribunal is independent of the Home Office and decides cases on the evidence. The First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) is the entry point; appeals go to the Upper Tribunal and ultimately to the Court of Appeal.
Putting It All Together
The rules above set out the legal framework, the practical steps and the support routes available. Where the situation is straightforward, the gov.uk pages and the official tools should be enough to act on. Where the situation is more complex, the free advice services listed in the previous section can usually clarify the position and identify the right next step. Many issues that look intractable at first turn out to be resolvable once the right service is engaged.
Keeping written records of communications and decisions throughout is good practice. Where a decision needs to be challenged later - through an internal complaint, an ombudsman, a tribunal or a court - the quality of the contemporaneous record often decides the outcome. Dates, names, reference numbers and copies of correspondence are the building blocks of any later dispute. The gov.uk advice pages and the relevant ombudsman or tribunal websites all set out the evidence they consider when reviewing decisions, and gathering that evidence from the start is one of the most effective protections available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I generate a share code?
On the View and Prove your immigration status service on gov.uk. Sign in with your UKVI account and select the type of code needed.
How long does a share code last?
90 days for right to work and right to rent codes. 30 days for general purpose codes. After expiry a new code must be generated.
Can the recipient see all my immigration history?
No. The recipient only sees the information relevant to the purpose of the code - right to work status, right to rent status, or general immigration status. Detailed application history is not shown.
What if I lose access to my UKVI account?
Use the gov.uk account recovery process. Recovery uses the email address linked to the application plus identity verification. Without UKVI account access, share codes cannot be generated.
Do I need a different code for each employer?
Not strictly. The same code can be used by multiple employers within the 90-day validity window. Best practice is to generate a fresh code for each employer to ensure traceability.
Is the share code the same as the BRP number?
No. The share code is a 9-character access code for the digital service. The BRP number is the physical card number. The two are separate identifiers serving different purposes.
Can I share a code through a HR portal?
Yes. Most modern HR portals accept share codes uploaded by the employee. Some portals automate the check by querying the gov.uk service through approved API connections.
How do I share a code with a letting agent?
Send the code by email or text. The letting agent then checks on the gov.uk right to rent service. The agent saves the check evidence for the duration of the tenancy plus one year.
Is the code visible to anyone else?
The code itself is not visible to anyone other than the recipient. The recipient also needs the holder date of birth to access the immigration profile. The code is therefore safe to share through normal channels.
Is my share code different from a Visa number?
Yes. The share code is a 9-character access code for the digital service. The visa number identifies the underlying immigration record. The two are separate identifiers.
How We Verified This
Information is taken from the gov.uk View and Prove your immigration status service guidance, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 on legislation.gov.uk, the Immigration Act 2014 on right to rent, the Home Office Employer Right to Work Checks Code of Practice, and the Home Office Landlord Right to Rent Code of Practice.
