If you’re moving house, starting a new job, or even signing up at university in the UK, there’s a good chance someone will ask you:
“Can you give me your share code?”
It sounds technical, doesn’t it? Almost like a banking PIN or a gaming cheat code. But don’t worry—it’s nowhere near as complicated as it sounds. A share code is simply a digital shortcut that proves your immigration status. Instead of carrying around your passport, visa, or a bundle of papers, you just hand over this little nine-character code, and the other person can check your details instantly.
Let’s break it down so you know exactly how to get share code, why you need it, and how it all works in real life.
What is a Share Code, Really?
Imagine you’re at a job interview. The manager says, “I’ll just need proof you’re allowed to work in the UK.” In the past, you’d fumble around with documents, photocopies, maybe even wait weeks for checks.
Now? You open a government website, click a few buttons, and send them a share code. When they type that code into the system, they see just enough information to confirm you can legally work. Nothing more.
It’s a nine-character alphanumeric code—basically a mix of numbers and letters—that’s valid for 90 days. After that, it disappears, and you can generate a fresh one.
Why Do You Need a Share Code?
Here are the three main situations where a share code comes up:
- Work → Every employer in the UK must run a “right to work” check. A share code makes it instant.
- Renting a home → Landlords are legally required to check your “right to rent.” Again, a share code keeps it simple.
- Services → Universities, NHS services, or banks may use it to verify your immigration status.
Without a code, you’d have to post, scan, or hand over documents. With it, everything happens online in minutes.
Who Can Get a Share Code?
You’ll be able to generate a code if your immigration status is recorded digitally with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). That usually includes:
- EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with settled or pre-settled status
- People with work, study, or family visas
- Holders of a biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC)
- Anyone who applied under the EU Settlement Scheme
If you only have an old-school paper vignette in your passport, you might not be able to get one yet—you’d still need to show physical proof.
How to Get Share Code (Step by Step)
Here’s the practical part:
- Head to the official site
- Visit gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.
- Skip Google ads or third-party sites—this is the one that counts.
- Sign in with your ID
- Use the ID you registered with UKVI (passport, national ID card, or BRP).
- Enter your date of birth and the details exactly as shown.
- Pick why you need the code
- You’ll see options: right to work, right to rent, or something else (like for a university).
- Choose carefully—codes are specific to the purpose.
- Generate the code
- The site gives you a nine-character code instantly.
- Pass it on
- Share it with your employer, landlord, or whoever requested it.
- They’ll plug it into the gov.uk checker and see what they need.
And that’s it. No trips to the post office. No stacks of photocopies. Just a few clicks.
Real-Life Scenarios
Job hunting → Sam from Italy has pre-settled status. He’s offered a role at a café in Manchester. Instead of scanning his passport, he logs into the gov.uk site, generates a “right to work” share code, and emails it to the manager. Within minutes, the manager confirms everything is fine.
Renting a flat → Aisha, on a student visa, finds a flatshare in London. The landlord asks for her “right to rent” code. She generates one online, sends it over, and the landlord checks it before handing her the keys.
University enrolment → Diego from Brazil needs to confirm his immigration status to his university. He generates a “something else” share code, sends it to admin, and the process is done the same day.
How Long Does a Share Code Last?
- A code is valid for 90 days.
- Once expired, it’s useless (which protects you if someone tries to reuse it).
- You can always log back in and generate a new one, anytime you need.
FAQs
Q. Does it cost money to get a share code?
No, getting a code from the UK government website is completely free. You don’t need to pay any fees to generate one for work, rent, or study purposes.
Q. Can one share code be used for both work and rent?
No. Share codes are purpose-specific. If you need to prove your right to work, you must generate a “Right to Work” code. If you also need to prove your right to rent, you’ll have to create a separate “Right to Rent” code.
Q. What happens if I lose my share code?
Don’t worry—losing a code isn’t a problem. You can simply go back to the official gov.uk portal, log in with your details, and generate a fresh code. The old one will no longer matter.
Q. Do British or Irish citizens need a share code?
No. British and Irish citizens do not need a share code to prove their status. Share codes are only required for people who have a digital immigration status in the UK.
Q. How long is a share code valid for?
A code is valid for 30 days from the day you generate it. After that, it expires and you’ll need to request a new one if your employer, landlord, or university still needs to check your details.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get share code might feel like another bit of UK red tape, but it’s actually designed to make life easier. Instead of juggling documents, you control the process: generate a code, share it when needed, and move on.
It’s quick, it’s free, and once you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why you ever worried about it.
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