Anyone who has started a new job in the UK recently knows the feeling: your new employer asks for proof you can work, but what exactly do they need? If you’re a non-UK national with a digital immigration status, the answer is a share code – a short alphanumeric code that lets your employer check your right to work online, and this guide walks through everything you need to know, from generating your code to understanding what employers see when they use it.
Share code format: 9-digit alphanumeric ·
Validity period: 30 days ·
Official website: gov.uk/prove-right-to-work ·
Cost: Free ·
Issued by: UK Visas and Immigration ·
Used for: Right to work verification
Quick snapshot
- Share code is generated via the UKVI online service (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Code expires after 30 days (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Employers use it to check right to work (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Whether share codes will eventually replace all physical documents (Citizens Advice (UK charity))
- Exact number of share codes issued monthly not published (GOV.UK (UK government guidance))
- Share code generated instantly online (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Valid for 30 days from generation (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Right to work check must be completed before work starts (University of Oxford (higher education institution))
- Employer enters code and date of birth on official check service (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Result shows right to work status (GOV.UK Right to Work Checklist (official PDF))
- Employer must keep a copy of the check result (GOV.UK (UK government website))
Six key facts, one pattern: the share code system is designed for speed and security, but its rules differ depending on immigration status and document type.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Official site | gov.uk/prove-right-to-work |
| Code format | 9 characters (e.g., AB12CD34E) |
| Validity | 30 days |
| Cost | Free |
| Purpose | Prove right to work |
| Issued for | Non-UK nationals with digital status |
What is a share code for an employer?
How does a share code differ from a physical document?
- A share code is a 9-character alphanumeric code that allows employers to view an individual’s right to work online, replacing paper documents like BRP or passport stamps for many migrants (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- Biometric residence cards or permits can no longer be accepted as original documents for right to work checks (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code; they must use original documents or an identity service provider (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
For non-UK nationals, the shift to digital means no more carrying a physical card — but the share code introduces a new dependency: a UKVI account and internet access.
The difference is clear: share codes offer an instant, verifiable check for those with digital status, while physical documents remain for British/Irish citizens and those without an online record.
What does a share code prove to an employer?
- The online check must confirm that the employee named in the result is allowed to work in the UK and allowed to do the work in question (GOV.UK Right to Work Checklist (official PDF)).
- The employer must satisfy itself that the photograph shown in the online check is the individual being hired (GOV.UK Right to Work Checklist (official PDF)).
What this means: the share code is not just a pass — it’s a data set that includes a photo and work restrictions, so the employer still needs to match the face to the person in front of them.
How do I get a share code to prove my right to work?
What login details do I need to generate a share code?
- You need a UKVI account or a valid visa application number (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- Go to gov.uk/prove-right-to-work and follow the prompts.
- The code is generated instantly and displayed on screen (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
An employee with a valid digital status can generate a share code in under two minutes – no wait for documents to arrive by post, no photocopies required.
Step-by-step guide to generate a share code on gov.uk
- Visit the official service – Open gov.uk/prove-right-to-work on any device.
- Log in – Use your UKVI account credentials (email and password). If you don’t have an account, you can create one using your visa application number (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- Answer identity questions – The system may ask for your passport number or National Insurance number to verify your identity.
- Generate the code – After identity verification, the system displays a 9-character share code. Copy it or save a screenshot.
- Share with your employer – Provide the code along with your date of birth. Your employer will enter both on the official check service to see your right to work status (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
The pattern: generation is straightforward for anyone with a UKVI account, but if you don’t have one yet, the account creation step adds a few minutes.
The implication: employees should generate their share code only when the start date is confirmed to avoid expiry before the check is performed.
How does an employer use a share code to verify right to work?
What details must the employer enter to view the share code information?
- The employer needs the worker’s date of birth, visa or immigration status type, and the share code from the Home Office service (University of Oxford (higher education institution)).
- Go to gov.uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work and enter the share code and the employee’s date of birth.
- The system displays the right to work status, including any time restrictions (GOV.UK Right to Work Checklist (official PDF)).
Can an employer save or download the share code result?
- Employers must keep a copy of the check result for their records (digital or printed) (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- Copies must be kept during the applicant’s employment and for 2 years after they stop working for the employer (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
The trade-off: the process is digital and fast, but the employer bears the responsibility to store the check outcome securely and for the correct period.
“If the worker cannot show documents or online immigration status, the employer must ask the Home Office to check the employee’s or potential employee’s immigration status.”
– GOV.UK, Check job applicant’s right to work
Employers who skip the photo check and rely only on the share code result risk hiring someone who is not who they claim to be. The penalty for illegal working is severe.
The pattern: the share code is only as reliable as the employer’s diligence in matching the photograph to the person standing before them.
What information does a share code contain and how long is it valid?
Does the share code reveal my full immigration history?
- The share code reveals the current right to work status, not full history (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- Employers see only what is relevant to the check: whether the person can work, any time restrictions, and a photo for identity matching.
What happens after the share code expires?
- Share codes expire after 30 days from generation (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- A new code can be generated at any time if the right to work is still valid (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
The implication: the 30-day window means an employee must generate a fresh code close to the start date. Employers should confirm the code is still valid on the day of the check.
“A British or Irish passport can be used to prove the right to work, even if the passport has expired.”
– Citizens Advice (UK charity providing free advice)
What this means: British and Irish citizens have a fallback that share code users do not — an expired passport still counts as valid proof, whereas an expired share code blocks the entire check.
Where can I find official information and help about share codes?
What is the official UKVI website for share codes?
- All official information is on gov.uk/prove-right-to-work (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
- The Home Office also publishes detailed guidance in the Right to work checks: an employer’s guide.
Who can I contact if I have problems getting a share code?
- The UKVI contact centre can assist with share code issues (GOV.UK (UKVI contact centre)).
- Avoid unofficial sites that may charge fees or request sensitive data – the service is free (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
Why this matters: the official .gov.uk domain is the only trusted source. Third-party sites that promise share code generation are scams.
Employers who rely on unofficial sites risk data breaches and invalid checks that carry the same penalties as not checking at all.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Share code is generated via UKVI service (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Code expires after 30 days (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Employers use it to check right to work (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Biometric residence cards no longer accepted (GOV.UK (UK government website))
- Right to work check must be completed before work starts (University of Oxford (higher education institution))
- Employers must keep copies for 2 years after employment ends (GOV.UK (UK government website))
What’s unclear
- Whether share codes will eventually replace all physical right to work documents (Citizens Advice (UK charity))
- The exact number of share codes issued monthly (not published) (GOV.UK (UK government guidance))
Quotes from official sources
“Use this service to get a share code to prove your right to work to an employer.”
– GOV.UK, Prove your right to work
“You can check an applicant’s right to work online if they have given you a share code.”
– GOV.UK, Check job applicant’s right to work
“Right to work checks are meant to prevent illegal working in the UK.”
– GOV.UK, Right to work checks: an employer’s guide
For employers in the UK, the choice is clear: adopt the digital share code process for non-UK candidates with digital status, or rely on physical documents for British/Irish citizens. The cost of getting it wrong – a fine for illegal working – far outweighs the time saved by skipping the check. Employees, meanwhile, should view the share code as a key to employment that expires in 30 days: generate it only when your start date is confirmed.
davidsonmorris.com, youtube.com, gov.uk, veremark.com, youtube.com
Employers who need to verify a worker’s immigration status can refer to this complete guide to share codes for step-by-step instructions on generating and using the digital code.
Frequently asked questions
Can a share code be used for multiple employers at the same time?
No, a share code is generated for a specific check. Each employer needs their own check, and the code must be provided separately. However, you can generate multiple share codes from your UKVI account.
What if my share code expires before I start a new job?
Generate a new one. The code is valid for 30 days, but you can create a fresh code at any time if your right to work is still current (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
Can I use a share code if I have indefinite leave to remain?
Yes. If you have digital immigration status (e.g., eVisa), you can generate a share code to prove your indefinite leave to remain (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
Is a share code the same as a visa?
No. A share code is a temporary reference that allows an employer to check your immigration status online. It is not a visa and does not grant you permission to stay in the UK.
Do I need a share code for every job application?
Yes, if you are a non-UK national with a digital status. Each employer must perform their own right to work check using a valid share code (GOV.UK (UK government website)).
What information does an employer see when they check my share code?
The employer sees your name, date of birth, nationality, and a photograph. They also see your right to work status (e.g., allowed to work for this employer, time restrictions) (GOV.UK Right to Work Checklist (official PDF)).
Can an employer refuse to accept a share code?
If the share code is valid and proves your right to work, the employer cannot refuse it solely because it is digital. However, they must still check your photograph matches (GOV.UK Right to Work Checklist (official PDF)).
What should I do if I cannot generate a share code?
Contact the UKVI contact centre. If you have a valid immigration status but cannot access the online service, the Home Office can conduct a manual check (GOV.UK (UKVI contact centre)).
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.