Checking your immigration status with share codes

View and prove your immigration status (Gov.uk service)

To use the service, you will need:

• details of the identity document you used when you applied (your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit)
• your date of birth
• access to the mobile number or email address you used when you applied - you’ll be sent a code for logging in

You will be able to view:

• Your name
• What immigration status you have (ie Student, Dependant, Pre-settled or Settled status, etc)
• The expiry date of your status
• What you are allowed to do in the UK, ie the conditions of your status, such as work, study, and rent

You may be able to view other information depending on the type of immigration permission you have. 

Below is an example of what you will see when you successfully log into the system.

Below your photo and these initial details, you will find other helpful information regarding your immigration status. You will also find an option to share your immigration status with others using a share code.

A share code is a code you generate online which you can then share with others, so that they can see your immigration status. 

There are three online systems that you can use to generate share codes. 

The main online system for generating a share code to prove your immigration status is the View and prove your immigration status webpage. There, you can generate a share code in order to:

• Prove your immigration status in general (this can be used as evidence of right to study)
• Prove your right to work
• Prove your right to rent

First, log into the View and prove your immigration status system. Once you have successfully logged in, scroll down until you see a green button that says 'Get a share code', as shown below. 

This will lead you to another website called Get a share code to prove your status, where you can obtain a share code.

To log in, you will need personal details including:

• details of the identity document you used when you applied (your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit)
• your date of birth
• access to the mobile number or email address you used when you applied - you’ll be sent a code for logging in

Once you successfully log in, you can then request a share code. 

To request the share code, you will need to state what you need it for. The three options are: 

• to prove your right to work (including work placements) in the UK
• to prove your right to rent private accommodation in England, or 
• something else (you can use this option if you want to prove your right to study)

Ensure that you select the correct purpose. Otherwise, when the person to whom you give your share code tries to use it, it may not work. 

You then must select 'Preview what the checker will see'. 

Then, scroll to the bottom and click 'Create a share code'. 

You will then see a share code. It is a random string of letters and numbers. You can see an example of a share code below.

Once you have generated a share code, you can either:

• Copy it and send it yourself to the person who needs it
• Email it to the person who needs it directly through the online system

You also must provide them with your date of birth. 

The share code will typically last between 30 and 90 days. The share code should state its expiry date. 

There is no limit on how many share codes you can request. You can request a new one before your share code expires if needed.

When you give a university, employer or landlord your share code, they can enter it along with your date of birth into the relevant online system in order to check your immigration status. 

Which system they use will depend on why they are checking your immigration status.

If they are checking your right to work, they will enter your share code into the website View a job applicant's right to work details.

If they are checking your right to rent, they will enter your share code into the website View a tenant's right to rent in England.

If they are checking your right to study, they will enter your share code into the website Check someone's immigration status.

It is important to ensure that your details are kept up to date in your UKVI account. 

This will prevent you from facing issues when you try to prove your immigration status to others, are awaiting a decision from the UKVI, or when you try entering the UK at the border. 

You can update your details online through the government webpage Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details.

You should update your online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account if you've changed your:

• mobile phone number
• email address
• name
• identity document, such as your passport or national identity card
• UK address

You can also:

• correct your date of birth
• add an extra nationality - if you have dual nationality, for example
• add an extra identity document
• change your photo, for example if your appearance has changed and you can no longer be recognised from your photo
• give someone else access to your visa applications, if you’d like them to help you apply
• give someone else ownership of the UKVI account, if you set up the account on their behalf

You cannot change your identity document or name if you're waiting for a decision on a visa application.

Once you give someone such as an employer or a landlord your share code, they can enter it along with your date of birth into the relevant online system in order to check your immigration status. 

Which system they use will depend on why they are checking your immigration status.

If they are checking your right to work, they will enter your share code into the website View a job applicant's right to work details.

If they are checking your right to rent, they will enter your share code into the website View a tenant's right to rent in England.