How do I get a share code to prove my immigration status?

For people who are not British or Irish citizens and need to prove their immigration status.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

A share code lets you prove your UK immigration status online, without showing your full eVisa.

You get one online through your UKVI account on GOV.UK. There is no charge to set up the account or access your eVisa.
You need your passport, ID card, biometric residence card, expired BRP or UKVI customer number.
A share code lasts 90 days and can be used as many times as you need in that time.
Employers, landlords and others use it with your date of birth.
You can choose to show your original documents instead.

Key facts

Lasts 90 days
Get it online via your UKVI account
Checker needs your date of birth
Right to rent: England only

What a share code is used for

A share code is a short code that lets someone check your immigration status online. It shows only what they need, not your whole eVisa. You might be asked for one by:

an employer, to check you can work and which jobs you can do
a landlord in England, to check your right to rent
others, for example when you travel

British and Irish citizens do not use share codes.

What you need

one of: your passport, national identity card, biometric residence card (BRC), expired biometric residence permit (BRP) or UKVI customer number
access to the mobile phone number or email address you use to sign in to your UKVI account

If you do not have a UKVI account yet, set one up first.

How to get a share code

Go to the GOV.UK page "View and prove your immigration status".
Sign in with your identity document or customer number.
Confirm it is you using the phone number or email linked to your UKVI account.
Get your share code. You will be told what the other person will see.
Give the code and your date of birth to the person checking.

You do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa. Use only the GOV.UK service.

How long it lasts

Point	Detail
How long it is valid	90 days
How many times you can use it	As many times as you need before it ends
What the checker needs	The share code and your date of birth

When it runs out, get a new one in the same way.

Your right to choose

You can prove your right to work or rent with a share code or with your original immigration documents. An employer or landlord cannot turn you down because you chose a valid document instead of a share code.

If something goes wrong

Wrong details on your eVisa: report the error on GOV.UK.
Cannot sign in: use the UKVI account recovery service.
Other problems: use the UKVI eVisa webchat.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Share codes work the same across the UK for proving your right to work. But right to rent checks only apply in England. You do not need to prove your right to rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Related guides

Where this comes from

View and prove your immigration status on GOV.UK
Prove your right to work to an employer on GOV.UK
Get a share code to prove your right to work on GOV.UK
Prove your right to rent in England on GOV.UK
Online immigration status (eVisa) on GOV.UK

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Get a share code

Common questions

Do British or Irish citizens need a share code?

No. Share codes are for people who are not British or Irish citizens.

Can my employer insist on a share code?

No. You can choose a share code or an eligible immigration document, and your employer cannot reject you for choosing the document.

Do I need to prove my right to rent in Scotland?

No. You do not need to prove your right to rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Official sources

1.View and prove your immigration status (get a share code)www.gov.uk/evisa/view-evisa-get-share-code-prove-immigration-status
2.Prove your right to work to an employerwww.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work
3.Prove your right to rent in Englandwww.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent
4.Online immigration status (eVisa)www.gov.uk/evisa

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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