If you have a UK visa or immigration status, sooner or later someone may ask you for a “share code”.
This can sound more mysterious than it is.
A share code is just a temporary code that lets another person check part of your UK immigration status online.
It is commonly used for things like work and renting.
What a share code is
A share code is a code you generate online through your UKVI account.
You give it to someone who needs to check your status, for example:
- an employer
- a landlord or letting agent
- another organisation that needs to confirm your rights
They use the code online together with your date of birth.
The code does not give them access to your whole UKVI account.
It only shows the information relevant to the check.
When you might need one
You may be asked for a share code when you need to prove:
- your right to work
- your right to rent
- your immigration status
- your access to certain services
The most common situations are starting a new job or renting a home.
How long a share code lasts
A share code is temporary.
Your immigration status is not.
The code expires after 90 days, but you can generate a new one whenever you need one.
So if someone says your share code is no longer valid, it does not usually mean anything is wrong with your status. It may simply have expired.
What the checker can see
The person using your share code can see information relevant to the type of check.
For example, an employer checking your right to work can see whether you have the right to work in the UK and whether any restrictions apply.
A landlord checking your right to rent should see information relevant to renting.
They should not need your login details.
What they need from you
Usually they need:
- your share code
- your date of birth
Do not give anyone your UKVI password or full account access.
A share code is designed so you can prove your status without handing over your whole account.
Share code vs physical documents
A share code is not the same as a physical immigration document.
It is a way to prove your status online.
This matters because the UK has been moving more immigration status information into digital form.
If you are unsure when digital documents are enough and when originals matter, see Digital vs Physical Documents: What the UK Actually Accepts.
Is a share code the same as proof of address?
No.
A share code proves immigration status or related rights.
It does not prove where you live.
If someone asks for proof of address, they usually mean something like a bank statement, council tax letter, utility bill, or other address evidence.
If that is the problem you are dealing with, see Proof of Address in the UK.
Can everyone get a share code?
No.
Share codes are mainly used by people who have UK immigration status that can be viewed online.
British and Irish citizens normally do not need share codes for right to work or right to rent checks, although there are some exceptions.
If you cannot generate a share code, it does not necessarily mean there is a problem. You may simply need to prove your status in a different way.
A simple way to think about it
Share code = temporary online proof of immigration status Proof of address = evidence of where you live Passport = identity document
They are different documents for different problems.
Common situations
| Situation | What you may be asked for |
|---|---|
| Starting a new job | Right to work share code |
| Renting a home | Right to rent share code |
| Opening a bank account | ID and proof of address |
| Registering with a GP | You may be asked for identification or other details |
If something goes wrong
If your share code is not accepted, check:
- whether it has expired
- whether you generated the right type of code
- whether your date of birth was entered correctly
- whether your UKVI account details are up to date
If the organisation is confused, ask them what type of check they are trying to complete.
Sometimes the problem is not your status. It is that they are asking for the wrong thing.
Related guides
If you are new to UK paperwork, this may also help: Your First Adult Documents Pack in the UK.
If you are unsure what you can do before all your documents are sorted, see What You Can Do in the UK Without Documents.
Final note
A share code is not another document to store forever.
It is temporary proof.
You generate it when someone needs to check your status, give them the code, and generate a new one later if needed.
Once you understand that, it becomes much less intimidating.