Check Right to Work Share Code – Complete UK Guide for Employers

When hiring in the UK, employers must verify that every new hire has the legal right to work. For non-UK and non-Irish nationals who hold digital immigration status, this check is done using a share code — a short alphanumeric string generated through the Home Office online system. This guide explains what a share code is, how employers check one, and what job applicants need to know to obtain and share their code.

The share code system is part of the UK’s shift toward digital immigration records. It replaces physical document checks for many migrant workers and aims to make right-to-work verification faster, more secure, and easier to audit. Both employers and applicants benefit from a standardised online process, though the rules differ depending on the applicant’s nationality and immigration status.

How Do I Get a Share Code to Prove My Right to Work?

A share code is generated by the job applicant through their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The process is free and takes only a few minutes, provided the applicant has the correct documents and an active online immigration record.

What Information Do I Need to Get a Share Code?

To generate a share code, the applicant needs access to their UKVI online account. This account is typically created when they apply for a visa, register under the EU Settlement Scheme, or receive a biometric residence permit. The applicant will need a valid passport, national identity card, or biometric residence document to confirm their identity during the process. A security code is sent to their registered mobile number or email address as a second verification step.

Who Can Get a Share Code? (Eligibility)

Share codes are available to anyone who holds an immigration status that is recorded digitally by the Home Office. This includes people with a visa, those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, individuals with indefinite leave to enter or remain, and others with online immigration permission. British citizens and Irish citizens do not use share codes — they prove their right to work using original documents such as a passport or passport card, or through an approved identity service provider.

Can I Get a Share Code for EU Settled Status?

Yes. Individuals who have been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme receive a digital immigration status rather than a physical document. They can log into their UKVI account using the View and Prove service and generate a share code that confirms their right to work in the UK.

How Do I Check a Right to Work Share Code as an Employer?

Employers use the official Home Office Employer Checking Service to verify a candidate’s right to work with a share code. The check is digital, instant, and provides a record that can be saved for compliance purposes.

How Does the Employer Checking Service Work?

The employer enters the applicant’s share code and date of birth into the government service at GOV.UK: Check a job applicant’s right to work. The system retrieves the applicant’s immigration details in real time. The result shows whether the person has the right to work, any restrictions that apply (such as limits on working hours or specific employer sponsorship), and the expiry date of their permission.

The check must be performed before the employee starts work. A valid statutory excuse is only established if the check is completed correctly and a record is kept. The Home Office also provides a separate service at GOV.UK: Checking a job applicant’s right to work which outlines alternative checking methods for those who cannot use a share code.

What Does the Employer See When They Check a Share Code?

The online result displays the applicant’s name, a photograph, their immigration status, any work restrictions, and the expiry date of their permission. Employers should compare this information carefully with the individual presenting themselves for work to confirm the details match.

Can I Check a Share Code for a Previous Employee?

No. The share code checking service is designed for pre-employment checks only. Employers cannot use it to retrospectively verify a current employee’s right to work. For workers with time-limited permission, a follow-up check using a new share code is required before the existing permission expires.

How Long Is a Share Code Valid For and What Does It Look Like?

Understanding the format and lifespan of a share code helps both employers and applicants avoid common errors during the hiring process.

What Does a Share Code Look Like? (Format and Example)

A share code is a 9-character alphanumeric string, typically grouped in sets of two or three characters. An example format is A12 34 56 B. The letters are uppercase and the code includes both letters and numbers. The code is generated by the Home Office system and is unique to the individual and the specific generation session.

Is a Share Code Secure?

Yes. The share code is a temporary access token, not a permanent identifier. It expires after 90 days and can only be used on the official Home Office checking service. The applicant controls who receives the code and can generate a new one for each employer if they prefer. The system is designed to prevent unauthorised access to the individual’s immigration data.

Can a Share Code Be Reused?

Within its 90-day validity window, the same share code can be used by multiple employers. However, in practice, each employer must perform their own independent check using the official service. If a code has expired, the applicant must log back into their UKVI account and generate a fresh one.

What If My Share Code Has Expired?

An expired share code cannot be reactivated. The applicant must go through the generation process again on the GOV.UK: Prove your right to work – get a share code online page. The new code will be valid for another 90 days from the moment it is created. Employers should always check the generation date of a share code to ensure it is still within the validity period.

What Is the Difference Between a Share Code and a BRP?

Many people still hold a biometric residence permit (BRP) card, but the Home Office is phasing these out in favour of fully digital records. Understanding the difference helps both employers and applicants know which system applies to them.

Share Code vs BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)

A BRP is a physical card containing a chip with the holder’s biometric information. A share code is a digital token that links to the same immigration record stored online. Since 2022, the Home Office has encouraged employers to use share codes for BRP holders instead of inspecting the card directly. From 2025, physical BRP cards are being phased out entirely as the UK moves to e-Visas.

Share Code and the EU Settlement Scheme

EU citizens who have been granted settled or pre-settled status do not receive a physical document. Their immigration status is entirely digital. The share code is the standard method for these individuals to prove their right to work to employers. The code confirms their status and any conditions attached to it.

Share Code for Irish Citizens (Exemption)

Irish citizens are exempt from the share code system. They can prove their right to work by presenting a valid Irish passport or passport card. Employers do not need to conduct an online check for Irish nationals, though they must still inspect the original document and retain a copy for their records.

Can I Check My Own Immigration Status with a Share Code?

Yes. Individuals can use the View and Prove service to see their own immigration status, generate share codes, and verify that their details are correct before sharing them with an employer. This is a useful step to take before applying for jobs to avoid delays during the hiring process.

What If I Don’t Have a Share Code? (Alternatives and Troubleshooting)

Not every applicant can generate a share code, and sometimes the system does not work as expected. In these situations, alternative checking methods are available.

Can I Check Right to Work Without a Share Code?

Yes. Employers can perform a manual right-to-work check by inspecting original documents such as a passport, national identity card, or biometric residence permit. This route is used for British citizens, Irish citizens, and individuals who hold an older form of physical documentation that is not linked to a UKVI online account. The Home Office also permits checks through an approved identity service provider (IDSP) for eligible British and Irish citizens and for certain remote checks.

What If My Share Code Doesn’t Work? (Troubleshooting)

If a share code returns an error or the employer cannot verify the applicant, the most common causes are an expired code, a typo in the code or date of birth, or an outdated UKVI account. The applicant should log into their account, check that their immigration record is correct, and generate a new share code. If the problem persists, the employer can contact the Home Office Employer Checking Service by phone for assistance. In some cases, a manual document check may be necessary.

What Documents Do I Need If I Can’t Get a Share Code?

Applicants who cannot generate a share code — for example because they hold an older paper BRP or a vignette in their passport — should present the original physical document to their employer. The employer must inspect the document in person and retain a clear copy. The GOV.UK: Right to work checks – an employer’s guide (PDF) provides a full list of acceptable documents.

What Is the Step-by-Step Process for a Share Code Right to Work Check?

The sequence of events from job offer to verified right to work follows a clear pattern. Employers and applicants who understand each step can complete the process quickly and without errors.

1. Job applicant applies for a position and is conditionally offered a role.
2. Applicant logs into their UKVI account and generates a share code.
3. Applicant shares the share code and their date of birth with the employer.
4. Employer enters the share code and the applicant’s date of birth into the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
5. Home Office returns a response confirming the right to work, any restrictions, and the expiry date.
6. Employer saves a dated copy of the check result for their compliance records.
7. If the share code has expired or is invalid, the employer requests a new code from the applicant.

What’s Certain and What’s Uncertain About Share Codes?

Some aspects of the share code system are clearly defined, while others remain subject to interpretation or anecdotal reports. The table below separates established facts from areas where less certainty exists.

Why Was the Share Code System Introduced?

The share code system was introduced as part of the UK’s transition to digital immigration status, commonly referred to as e-Visa, following the post-Brexit immigration framework. The system reduces reliance on physical documents such as BRP cards, which can be lost, stolen, or forged. By integrating with the Home Office’s real-time databases, the share code makes right-to-work checks instant and fully auditable. The Immigration Act 2016, as amended, requires employers to conduct these checks, and the share code is one of the approved methods. The system also gives applicants control over their data — each code is generated per check and can be shared selectively with individual employers.

Where Can I Find Official Information About Share Codes?

The most authoritative source for right-to-work checking guidance is GOV.UK. The Home Office publishes detailed instructions for employers and individuals, along with legal obligations and procedural steps.

“You can check a job applicant has the right to work in the UK if they give you a share code. The code is valid for 90 days from the date it was generated.”

— GOV.UK, Check a job applicant’s right to work

“The employer checking service will tell you if the person has the right to work and any conditions that apply. You must keep a record of the check.”

— Home Office Employer Checking Service

“Using a share code is the quickest and most secure way for employers to verify right to work in the UK, eliminating paper checks and reducing compliance risk.”

— HR technology guidance (BambooHR)

What Should Employers and Applicants Remember About Share Codes?

The UK right to work share code is a government-issued digital access code that allows employers to verify an applicant’s work eligibility online. For eligible non-UK and non-Irish workers, this is the standard checking route. Employers must use the official GOV.UK checker, retain evidence of the completed check, and schedule follow-up checks for workers with time-limited permission. Applicants should keep their UKVI account details up to date and generate a fresh share code each time they need to share it with a potential employer. As the UK phases out physical BRP cards by 2025, share codes will become even more central to the employment verification process. For a broader overview of compliance requirements, see our Complete guide to right to work checks for UK employers. You may also find our article on What is a UK eVisa and how to manage your digital immigration status helpful for understanding the wider digital system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Share Codes