Get Share Code UK Your Right To Work UK 2026

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Get Share Code UK Your Right To Work UK.

Let’s say you have just landed a dream job offer or found the perfect flat.

The excitement is bubbling over.

Then, you get an email with a sentence that makes your stomach drop:

“Could you please send over your right-to-work share code?”

A… what?

Suddenly, you are picturing your future slipping away, tangled in a web of government websites and confusing acronyms.

Deep breaths.

You are in the right place.

This guide is your friendly, comprehensive walkthrough for everything related to the UK share code.

We will cover what it is, why you suddenly need one, how to get it in minutes, and, most importantly, what to do when the system inevitably decides to have a bad day.

Forget the dense government jargon; we’re going to talk like real people.

By the end of this post, you will not only have your share code but also understand the system so well that you could probably explain it to your new boss.

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What is a Share Code?

A share code is a unique, 9-character key that unlocks a secure, real-time view of your immigration status online.

Think of it as a temporary password you give to an employer or landlord, allowing them to confirm you have the right to be and work in the UK.

This simple code is the cornerstone of the UK’s move towards a fully digital immigration system.

For years, physical documents like the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) were the gold standard.

But the government is phasing them out. You might have noticed that many BRPs had an expiry date of 31 December 2024.

This wasn’t because everyone’s visa ended, but because the physical card itself was being replaced by a digital record called an eVisa.

Your eVisa is your permanent online immigration status, and the share code is the tool you use to prove it to others.

It’s a crucial part of life in the UK for non-British and non-Irish citizens, required for essential tasks like:

• Proving your right to work to an employer.

• Proving your right to rent a property in England.

• Proving your status to the NHS or DWP to access services or benefits.

• Showing your immigration status when travelling in and out of the UK.

This digital shift is a big change, and it’s completely normal to feel a bit lost.

But we’ll tackle it step by step.

(Don’t worry if terms like ‘eVisa’ or ‘BRP’ are still a bit fuzzy.

We have included a comprehensive glossary at the end of this article to explain all the key terms.)

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The Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Share Code

This is the main event. Getting your share code is a straightforward process once you know the steps. The whole thing usually takes less than five minutes.

What You Need Before You Start

To make this process as smooth as a fresh cup of tea, gather these items before you head to the GOV.UK website.

1. Your Identity Document: You’ll need the details of the document you used to set up your UKVI account. This could be your:

• Passport (valid or expired)

a. National identity card

b. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) number (even if the card has expired)

c. Biometric Residence Card (BRC) number

2. Your Date of Birth: Simple enough! Make sure you enter it in the correct DD/MM/YYYY format.

3. Access to Your Phone or Email: The system will send a 6-digit security code to the phone number or email address linked to your UKVI account to verify it’s really you. This code expires in about 10 minutes, so be ready.

Got everything?

Perfect.

Let’s get that code.

Your 7-Step Mission

1. Navigate to the Official Portal: Head directly to the ‘Prove your right to work to an employer’ page on GOV.UK. Don’t just Google it and click the first ad—always use the official gov.uk link. Click the green ‘Start now’ button.

2. Choose Your Identity Document: You’ll be asked which document you use to sign in to your UKVI account. Select the correct option (Passport, BRC/P, etc.) and click ‘Continue’.

3. Enter Your Document Details: Carefully type in your document number. For passports, this is the long number at the bottom of the photo page. For BRPs, it’s usually on the front.

4. Enter Your Date of Birth: As mentioned, use the DD/MM/YYYY format.

5. The Security Code Challenge: Now, you’ll be asked how you want to receive your 6-digit security code (text or email). Select one, wait a moment for it to arrive, and enter it on the screen.

6. Select the Purpose: This is a crucial step! The website will ask you why you need the share code. You will see options like ‘To prove my right to work’ or ‘To prove my right to rent’. Select the one that matches your current need. You cannot use a rent code for a work check, or vice versa. If you need it for travel or something else, choose the ‘Something else’ option.

7. Generate and Save! After confirming the purpose, the final page will display your 9-character share code. It will look something like W1A2B3C4D. The page will also clearly state its 90-day expiry date. You can:

a. Screenshot it.

b. Write it down.

c. Use the built-in option to email it directly to yourself or your employer.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully generated your share code.

Case Study 1: Maria’s First Job Offer

Maria, a 24-year-old recent graduate from Spain with pre-settled status, received her first job offer from a tech startup in Manchester.

The HR manager asked for her right-to-work share code. Maria felt a wave of panic, worried that a delay could jeopardise the offer.

• Strategy Applied: Following the ‘Pre-Flight Checklist’, Maria gathered her Spanish passport and made sure she could access the email she used for her EUSS application.

• Process: She navigated to the GOV.UK site, entered her passport details and date of birth, received the security code via email, and selected ‘To prove my right to work’. The entire process took her four minutes.

• Result: Maria used the “email the code” feature to send it directly to the HR manager, along with her date of birth. Her check was completed the same afternoon, and she started her new job the following week without a hitch.

One Code, Many Uses? Not Quite.

A common point of confusion is whether you can reuse a share code.

The answer is yes… and no.

Let’s clear this up.

A single share code is valid for 90 days and can be used multiple times for the same purpose.

For example, if you generate a “right to work” code, you can give that same code to three different potential employers within the 90-day window.

However, you cannot use a code generated for one purpose for a different one.

A “right to rent” code will not work for an employer’s check.

You must go back through the process and generate a new code, selecting the correct purpose.

Here’s a simple, mobile-friendly table to help you remember:

Purpose of Code	Who Needs It?	Can I Reuse It?
Right to Work	Employers	✅ Yes, for other employers within 90 days.
Right to Rent	Landlords (in England)	✅ Yes, for other landlords within 90 days.
Something Else	Airlines, Banks, etc.	✅ Yes, for other checks within 90 days.

The Golden Rule: When in doubt, generate a fresh code.

It’s free and takes just a few minutes.

Case Study 2: The Chen Family’s Big Move

The Chen family moved to London from Hong Kong under a BNO visa. Mr. Chen had secured a job, and they had found a flat to rent.

Within the same week, both his new employer and the letting agent asked for a share code.

• Initial Mistake: Mr. Chen generated a “right to work” code and sent it to both his employer and the letting agent. The employer’s check went through perfectly. However, the letting agent replied saying the code was “invalid for a rental check.”

• Strategy Applied: Realising his error, Mr. Chen logged back into his UKVI account. This time, he carefully selected ‘To prove my right to rent’ and generated a second, different share code.

• Result: He sent the new code to the letting agent, and the check was successful. The experience taught him a valuable lesson: the purpose you select directly controls what information the checker can see, making the codes non-interchangeable.

The Employer’s Side of the Desk – What Happens Next?

So you have emailed your share code and date of birth.

What happens now?

Understanding the employer’s side of the process can reduce anxiety and help you troubleshoot if issues arise.

Your Responsibility vs. Theirs

• Your Job: Generate the correct code and provide it to your employer along with your date of birth. That’s it. Your legal responsibility ends there.

• Their Job: They must use your details to perform the check on the official View a job applicant’s right to work details page. They cannot just accept the code; they have to actually use it. They are also legally required to keep a digital copy of the successful check for the duration of your employment plus two years.

The “Statutory Excuse” Explained

This is the key reason employers are so meticulous about this.

By correctly performing an online right-to-work check before you start your job, the employer gains a “statutory excuse.”

In simple terms, this is a legal protection against fines if, for some reason, you are later found to be working illegally.

Without this excuse, a company can be fined up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

This isn’t just red tape; it’s a massive financial risk for them, which is why they cannot skip this step.

Understanding this can help you see the process as a collaborative, protective measure rather than a one-sided demand.

Best Practice: The Perfect Email Template

To make the process foolproof, don’t just send the code.

Send a clear, helpful email that gives the checker everything they need in one place.

Feel free to copy and paste this template:

Subject: Right to Work Share Code – [Your Full Name]

Dear [HR Manager’s Name / Landlord’s Name],

As requested, here are the details you need to check my right to work [or right to rent] in the UK.

• My Share Code: [Enter Your 9-Character Code Here]

• My Date of Birth: [Enter Your DOB in DD/MM/YYYY Format]

This code is valid until [Enter the Expiry Date].

You can perform the check on the official GOV.UK portal here: https://www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work.

Please let me know if you have any trouble with the check or if you require any further information.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name]

This template removes any ambiguity and provides a direct link, reducing the chance of them getting lost or making a mistake.

Help! A Troubleshooting Guide for When Things Go Wrong

Okay, deep breaths. Sometimes technology just doesn’t want to play ball.

It’s frustrating, especially when a job is on the line, but almost every issue has a solution.

Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

Problem 1: “I can’t log into my UKVI account!”

This is the most common hurdle. It usually happens for a few reasons:

• You’ve forgotten which document you used: Did you use your passport or your BRP? The system is specific. If you’re not sure, you can use the account recovery service to get a reminder.

• You no longer have access to your old phone/email: This is a big one. If you’ve changed your contact details since your visa application, you won’t receive the security code. Don’t panic. The UKVI account recovery service is designed specifically for this. You will need to provide other details to prove your identity, but it can be done.

• You’re stuck in a login loop: You enter your details, and it just takes you back to the start.

• Solution 1 (The Classic): Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
• Solution 2: Try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

• Solution 3: Use an “Incognito” or “Private” browsing window. This often solves mysterious login issues.

If all else fails, you can contact the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) contact centre for help.

Case Study 3: David’s Login Nightmare

David, an engineer from South Africa, had lived in the UK for three years.

When he got a new job, he confidently went to get his share code, but was stopped dead.

The system wanted to send a code to a phone number he hadn’t used in two years.

• Problem: He was completely locked out of his UKVI account with no way to receive the verification code.

• Strategy Applied: He navigated to the UKVI account recovery page. The service asked him for his BRP number, date of birth, and new phone number. He submitted the form.

• Result: Within 24 hours, he received an email from UKVI confirming that his contact details had been updated. He was then able to log in using his new phone number, get his security code, and generate the share code for his new employer. The delay was stressful, but the recovery system worked as intended.

Problem 2: “The security code isn’t arriving!”

You’ve requested the 6-digit code, but your phone/inbox is empty.

• Solution 1: Be patient. It can sometimes take a few minutes to arrive.

• Solution 2: Check your junk or spam folder. This is where 90% of “missing” emails are hiding.

• Solution 3: Double-check you selected the right delivery method (text vs. email). It’s an easy mistake to make.

• Solution 4: If it still doesn’t arrive, it may be a sign that the contact details on your UKVI account are out of date. Refer to the account recovery steps above.

Problem 3: “My employer says the code is invalid!”

This is terrifying, but it’s almost always a simple human error, not a problem with your immigration status.

• Reason 1 (Most Likely): The Date of Birth is Wrong. The most common error is a mismatch in the date-of-birth format. An American HR manager might enter Month/Day/Year (MM/DD/YYYY) instead of the UK’s Day/Month/Year (DD/MM/YYYY). This is why the email template is so helpful—it spells it out for them.

• Reason 2: A Typo in the Code. A ‘0’ (zero) might be mistaken for an ‘O’ (letter), or a ‘1’ for an ‘I’. Ask them to double-check the code you sent or, even better, copy and paste it directly from your email.

• Reason 3: The Code Has Expired. If it’s been over 90 days, the code is dead. Simply log in and generate a fresh one for them.

• Reason 4: Wrong Code for the Wrong Purpose. As we covered, they might be trying to use a rent code for a work check. Confirm with them which type of check they are doing and ensure you provided the correct code.

Case Study 4: Priya’s ‘Invalid Code’ Panic

Priya, a marketing manager from India, was starting a new role. She sent her share code, but the HR team emailed back saying, “Sorry, the system says the code is invalid.”

Priya’s heart sank.

• Problem: The employer’s check was failing, suggesting a problem with her status.

• Strategy Applied: Instead of panicking, Priya calmly re-sent her details using the email template from this guide, highlighting the DD/MM/YYYY format for her date of birth. She also double-checked the code for any characters that could be easily misread.

• Result: The HR manager replied an hour later, apologetic. She had been entering Priya’s birth month and day the wrong way around. With the correct format, the check worked instantly. Priya’s proactive and clear communication solved the problem without any need to escalate or contact UKVI.

Managing Your Digital Immigration Status

Think of your UKVI account as your new digital passport.

The share code is just one tool it provides.

Keeping this account healthy and up-to-date is crucial for a stress-free life in the UK.

Best Practices for a Healthy UKVI Account

• Update Your Documents Immediately: Did you just get a new passport? Don’t wait until you need to travel. Log in to your UKVI account right away and add the new passport details. The system allows you to link multiple documents to your status.

• Keep Contact Details Current: If you change your phone number or email address, update your UKVI account on the same day. This is non-negotiable if you want to avoid future login nightmares.

• The Proactive “Pre-Need” Check: Once every six months, take five minutes to log into your UKVI account. Just log in, check that your details are correct, and log out. This simple act ensures you’ll never be caught out by a forgotten password or an old phone number when you’re under pressure.

Is This System Secure?

What Data is Shared?

This is a valid concern.

The good news is that the system is designed with privacy in mind.

When an employer or landlord uses your share code, they do not see your entire immigration history.

They only see the specific information relevant to their check. For a “right to work” check, they will typically see:

• Your full name

• Your photograph (for identity verification)

• The start and end date of your permission to be in the UK

• Any specific conditions attached to your stay (e.g., “Permitted to work 20 hours per week during term time”).

They will not see things like your previous visa types, your country of origin, or any other sensitive data.

The share code system is a secure and limited window into your status, not an open door.

Who Doesn’t Need a Share Code?

With all this talk about share codes, it’s easy to think everyone needs one.

But there’s a very important exception.

British and Irish citizens cannot and do not need to use the share code system.

If you are a British or Irish citizen, you prove your right to work using your physical documents.

The most common way is with a valid passport.

If you don’t have a valid passport, you can use a combination of other documents, such as:

• An expired British or Irish passport.

• A UK birth or adoption certificate, along with an official document proving you have a National Insurance number (like a letter from HMRC or a P45).

So, if you hold a British or Irish passport, you can happily ignore everything you’ve just read about generating codes!

You’ve Got This!

The UK’s digital immigration system can feel intimidating, but the share code is simply a tool.

And like any tool, once you know how to use it, it becomes simple.

Let’s recap the key takeaways:

• Preparation is everything: Have your documents and details ready before you start.

• The purpose matters: Always generate the right code for the right job (work vs. rent).

• Communicate clearly: Use the email template to help your employer or landlord get it right the first time.

• Troubleshoot calmly: Most errors are simple human mistakes. Don’t panic.

• Maintain your account: Your UKVI account is your digital lifeline. Keep it updated.

The move to a digital system is here to stay.

By mastering this process now, you are setting yourself up for a smoother, less stressful experience as you build your life and career in the UK.

We hope this guide has turned a source of anxiety into a task you can confidently check off your list.

Got a question or your own share code story to tell? Leave a comment below, your experience could help someone else!

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