How to Get Your Right to Work Share Code in the UK

If you’re working in the UK on a visa or have immigration status that isn’t a British or Irish passport, you’ll likely need to prove your right to work to employers. The right to work share code is the digital tool that makes this possible. It’s a simple, nine-character code that allows employers to check your immigration status online, confirming you’re legally allowed to work in the UK.

This system replaced physical documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for many workers, and it’s now the standard way to prove your work eligibility if you hold a visa or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Whether you’re starting a new job, switching employers, or your employer is conducting routine compliance checks, understanding how to generate and use your right to work share code is essential.

This guide explains what the right to work share code is, who needs one, how to get it, and what employers do with it once you’ve shared it.

What Is a Right to Work Share Code?

A right to work share code is a unique, nine-character alphanumeric code that you generate online through the UK government’s official service. It allows employers to verify your immigration status and confirm that you have the legal right to work in the UK.

The code is linked to your Home Office immigration record. When an employer enters your share code and date of birth into the government’s online checking service, they can see your current work permissions, including any restrictions on the type or hours of work you’re allowed to do.

This system was introduced to modernise right to work checks and reduce reliance on physical documents. It’s particularly important for people who hold digital immigration status, such as those with eVisas or those granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who no longer receive physical proof of their status.

The right to work share code is free to generate, can be created as many times as you need, and is designed to be quick and straightforward for both employees and employers.

Who Needs a Right to Work Share Code?

You’ll need to generate a right to work share code if you fall into any of the following categories:

EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Since physical proof of this status isn’t issued, the share code is the only way to demonstrate your right to work.

Non-EU nationals with a visa or immigration status recorded digitally, including those with eVisas. This includes people on Skilled Worker visas, Graduate visas, Global Talent visas, and other work-related immigration routes.

Anyone whose Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) has expired or is no longer valid. The UK government is phasing out BRPs, and many visa holders are now expected to use the online service instead.

People with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or indefinite leave to enter (ILE) who don’t have a physical document or whose document has expired.

You do not need a right to work share code if you’re a British or Irish citizen and can prove your right to work using a valid passport. Employers can verify your status through your passport alone.

If you’re unsure whether you need a share code, check your immigration documents or the confirmation you received when your visa or status was granted. The Home Office will usually specify whether you need to use the online service.

How to Generate Your Right to Work Share Code

Generating your right to work share code is a straightforward process that takes just a few minutes. You’ll need access to the internet and some basic information about your immigration status.

Step 1: Go to the GOV.UK service

Visit the official prove your right to work to an employer service on GOV.UK. This is the only legitimate platform for generating your share code. Avoid third-party websites that claim to offer the same service.

Step 2: Confirm your identity

You’ll be asked to sign in using one of two methods:

UK Immigration ID Check app: If you used this app when applying for your visa or status, you can sign in using the same credentials.
UKVI account: If you have a UK Visas and Immigration account, you can log in with your email and password.

If you don’t have access to either, you may need to create a UKVI account or contact the Home Office for support.

Step 3: Generate your code

Once you’ve signed in and your identity is confirmed, the system will display your right to work share code. It’s a nine-character code made up of letters and numbers.

You’ll also see your immigration status and any conditions attached to your right to work, such as restrictions on working hours or the type of work you can do.

Step 4: Share the code with your employer

Give your employer the nine-character code along with your date of birth. They’ll need both pieces of information to access your details through the Home Office checking service.

You can generate a new share code as many times as you need. Each code is valid for a limited period, so if your employer doesn’t use it in time, simply create a new one.

How Long Is a Right to Work Share Code Valid?

A right to work share code is valid for 90 days from the date you generate it. This gives your employer a three-month window to complete their right to work check.

If your employer doesn’t use the code within 90 days, it will expire, and you’ll need to generate a new one. There’s no limit to how many times you can create a share code, and the process is the same each time.

The 90-day validity period is designed to ensure that the information employers see is current and reflects your most recent immigration status. If your visa or status changes during this period, the updated information will be reflected when your employer checks the code.

It’s worth noting that the share code itself is time-limited, but the right to work check your employer completes using the code provides them with a statutory excuse against employing someone without the right to work. This excuse lasts for the duration of your employment or until your visa expires, whichever comes first.

What Information Does the Share Code Show Employers?

When your employer enters your right to work share code and date of birth into the Home Office online checking service, they’ll see a summary of your immigration status and work permissions.

The information displayed includes:

Your full name as it appears on your immigration record.

Your date of birth, which they’ll need to enter to access your details.

Your current immigration status, such as whether you have settled status, pre-settled status, or a specific visa type.

Your right to work, including whether you’re allowed to work in the UK and any restrictions that apply. For example, some visas limit the number of hours you can work or restrict you to working for a specific employer or in a particular role.

The expiry date of your status or visa, if applicable. This tells your employer how long your right to work is valid.

Employers are required to keep a record of the check they’ve completed, including a screenshot or printed copy of the information displayed. This provides them with a statutory excuse if there’s ever a question about whether they’ve complied with right to work requirements.

The system is designed to protect your privacy. Employers only see the information necessary to confirm your right to work. They don’t have access to your full immigration history or other personal details held by the Home Office.

What If You Can’t Generate a Share Code?

If you’re unable to generate a right to work share code, there are a few possible reasons and solutions.

You don’t have a UKVI account or access to the UK Immigration ID Check app

If you haven’t set up a UKVI account or used the ID Check app, you’ll need to create an account or contact the Home Office for assistance. The GOV.UK service includes guidance on how to do this.

Your immigration status isn’t recorded digitally

Some people still have physical documents, such as a valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or a visa vignette in their passport. If this applies to you, your employer can verify your right to work using these documents instead of a share code.

However, if your BRP has expired or you’ve been told to use the online service, you may need to contact UK Visas and Immigration to update your records.

Technical issues with the online service

Occasionally, the GOV.UK service may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance or technical problems. If this happens, try again later or check the service status page for updates.

Your immigration status is pending or under review

If you’ve recently applied for a visa or status and your application is still being processed, you may not be able to generate a share code yet. In this case, you should have received a Certificate of Application or other proof of your pending status, which you can share with your employer in the meantime.

If none of these solutions apply and you’re still unable to generate a share code, contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre for support. They can help resolve issues with your immigration record or provide alternative ways to prove your right to work.

Do Employers Have to Use the Online Checking Service?

Employers are legally required to check that all employees have the right to work in the UK before they start employment. For people with digital immigration status, such as those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme or those with eVisas, the online checking service is the only way to complete this check.

If you provide your employer with a right to work share code, they must use the Home Office online right to work checking service to verify your status. They cannot rely on physical documents alone if your status is recorded digitally.

Using the online service provides employers with a statutory excuse, which protects them from civil penalties if they’re later found to have employed someone without the right to work, provided they completed the check correctly and in good faith.

Employers who fail to carry out right to work checks, or who don’t use the correct method, can face significant penalties, including fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker. This makes the online checking service an essential tool for compliance.

For employees, this means it’s important to generate your share code promptly and provide it to your employer along with your date of birth. If you’re unsure whether your employer has completed the check, you can ask them to confirm.

Can You Use a Share Code for Multiple Employers?

Yes, you can use the same right to work share code for multiple employers, as long as the code is still valid. Each share code lasts for 90 days, and there’s no restriction on how many times it can be checked during that period.

If you’re applying for several jobs at once or working for more than one employer, you can give the same code to each of them. They’ll each be able to access your right to work information independently through the Home Office online service.

However, if your share code expires before all your employers have completed their checks, you’ll need to generate a new one and provide the updated code to any employers who haven’t yet verified your status.

It’s also worth noting that if your immigration status changes—for example, if your visa is extended or you’re granted a new type of status—you should generate a new share code to ensure employers see the most up-to-date information.

What Happens If Your Visa Status Changes?

If your visa or immigration status changes, the information linked to your right to work share code will be updated automatically in the Home Office system. This means that when you generate a new share code, it will reflect your current status.

For example, if you switch from a Student visa to a Graduate visa, or if you’re granted indefinite leave to remain, your new status and work permissions will be shown when an employer checks your share code.

If you’re already employed and your status changes, you should inform your employer and provide them with a new share code so they can update their records. Employers are required to conduct follow-up checks when an employee’s visa is due to expire, so keeping them informed helps ensure they remain compliant.

If your visa expires and you don’t have a new status in place, you’ll lose your right to work, and you won’t be able to generate a valid share code. In this situation, you must stop working until your status is resolved. Continuing to work without the right to do so is illegal and can have serious consequences for both you and your employer.

If you’ve applied to extend your visa or switch to a new immigration route before your current visa expires, you’ll usually be granted a period of extended leave while your application is processed. During this time, you should receive a Certificate of Application, which you can use to prove your right to work until a decision is made.

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

While the right to work share code system is designed to be simple, some people encounter issues. Here are the most common problems and how to resolve them.

Issue: You’ve forgotten your UKVI account login details

If you can’t remember your email or password, use the “forgotten password” link on the UKVI account login page. You’ll be sent a reset link to your registered email address. If you no longer have access to that email, you’ll need to contact the Home Office for help.

Issue: Your employer says the share code isn’t working

This usually happens if the code has expired (after 90 days) or if your employer has entered your date of birth incorrectly. Double-check that you’ve given them the correct information, and if the code has expired, generate a new one.

Issue: The online service shows incorrect information about your status

If the details displayed when you generate a share code don’t match your current immigration status, contact UK Visas and Immigration immediately. This could indicate an error in your Home Office records, which needs to be corrected before you can prove your right to work.

Issue: You’re unable to access the online service

If you’re having technical difficulties, try using a different browser or device. If the problem persists, check the GOV.UK service status page to see if there are any known issues. You can also contact the UKVI contact centre for technical support.

Issue: Your employer is asking for physical documents instead of a share code

Some employers may not be familiar with the online checking service, particularly if they haven’t previously employed people with digital immigration status. Politely explain that your status is recorded digitally and that the share code is the correct way to verify your right to work. You can direct them to the GOV.UK guidance for employers if they need more information.

Conclusion

The right to work share code is a straightforward and secure way to prove your immigration status to UK employers. Whether you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, hold a work visa, or have another form of digital immigration status, understanding how to generate and use your share code is essential for starting or continuing employment in the UK.

The process is quick, free, and can be repeated as many times as you need. By keeping your immigration status up to date and generating a new share code whenever required, you can ensure that employers can verify your right to work without delay.

If you encounter any issues, the GOV.UK service and UK Visas and Immigration contact centre are there to help. Employers also have a responsibility to use the online checking service correctly, and doing so protects both you and them from potential legal complications.

Knowing how to navigate the right to work share code system gives you confidence when applying for jobs and helps you meet your legal obligations as someone working in the UK.