Introduction
Suppose you live or work in the United Kingdom and have immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme, a work visa, or another type of visa. In that case, you’ll often need to prove your immigration status online. The “my share code” system allows you to securely share your immigration details with employers, landlords, or government authorities.
This article will explain in detail what my share code is, how to generate it, who needs it, and how it is used across various UK immigration processes. At Primus Solicitors Manchester, our experienced immigration solicitors can guide you through the process of proving your immigration status, ensuring compliance with the latest Home Office regulations.
What Is My Share Code?
The My Share Code system is a digital service provided by the UK Home Office to allow individuals to share their immigration status information online. It replaces physical documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) in most cases and simplifies how your right to work, rent, or access services is checked.
Your My Share code is a nine-character alphanumeric code, such as W3C-4R2-6KQ, that acts as a temporary access key to your immigration record. The code is valid for 90 days and can be used by employers, landlords, or public authorities to view your immigration details through the View and Prove service on GOV.UK.
Who Needs to Use My Share Code?
You will need to use my share code if:
- You are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
- You hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC).
- You have a digital visa or immigration status (for example, a Skilled Worker Visa or Student Visa issued after 2022).
- You are asked to prove your right to work, rent, or access benefits in the UK.
- You are required to update or confirm your immigration details online.
How to Get My Share Code
To generate my share code, follow these steps:
- Visit the official government website: www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- Select “Prove your status to someone”.
- Sign in using:
- Your BRP number, or
- Your passport or national ID number is linked to your immigration record.
- You’ll receive an email or text verification code.
- Once logged in, select what you need the code for:
- Right to work
- Right to rent
- Other purposes (for example, proving to a university or the NHS)
- The system will then display my share code — a unique nine-character code valid for 90 days.
How Employers and Landlords Use My Share Code
Right to Work Checks
Employers must ensure all workers in the UK have the right to work. Instead of submitting physical documents, individuals now provide their share code to employers. The employer then visits the Employer Checking Service to confirm the applicant’s immigration status.
Right to Rent Checks
Landlords in England must verify a tenant’s legal right to rent property. Instead of viewing a visa document, landlords can use my share code to check the person’s status online.
Both employers and landlords must use my share code to prevent illegal working or renting and avoid civil penalties.
How to Check My Share Code Status
You can easily verify if your code is still valid or regenerate it if it has expired. Visit the View and Prove Immigration Status page on GOV.UK, sign in with your details, and choose the “Prove your status” option to view your current share code or generate a new one.
If your share code has expired, repeat the steps to generate a new one — it takes only a few minutes.
Common Issues When Using My Share Code
- Incorrect Document Numbers – Ensure the passport or BRP number you use matches the one linked to your Home Office record.
- Expired or Revoked Code – The code expires after 90 days; generate a new one when required.
- Name or Date of Birth Errors – If there’s a mismatch between your documents and immigration record, contact UKVI immediately.
- System Errors – Occasionally, the Home Office portal may be down for maintenance. Try again later or use another device.
If you experience persistent issues with my share code, contact Primus Solicitors Manchester for expert help in liaising with the Home Office.
When You Don’t Need My Share Code
Not everyone in the UK requires my share code. You do not need to use it if:
- You are a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) with a physical document.
- You hold a visa vignette that hasn’t expired.
- You are applying for a new visa, and your current application is pending.
However, as the UK transitions to digital immigration status, most visa holders will eventually need to use my share code to prove their status.
Updating Information Linked to My Share Code
If your details change — such as your passport number, name, or nationality — you must update your immigration record with UKVI. Failure to do so can result in your My Share code displaying outdated information, which may affect your employment or tenancy.
To update your information:
- Sign in to your UKVI account.
- Select “Update details”.
- Provide the updated passport or ID details.
- Wait for confirmation — this can take several days.
Security and Privacy
The my share code system is designed to protect your data. Each code is:
- Valid for 90 days only.
- Securely encrypted.
- Accessible only by authorised parties.
Never share your code publicly or on social media. Only provide it to trusted employers, landlords, or institutions.
Why Choose Primus Solicitors for Immigration Support
At Primus Solicitors Manchester, we specialise in all aspects of UK immigration law. Whether you need help with your share code, visa applications, or complex immigration issues, our team provides expert legal advice tailored to your circumstances.
We help with:
- EU Settlement Scheme applications.
- UK visa extensions.
- BRP replacement or updates.
- Proving immigration status.
- Employer compliance and right-to-work checks.
Our solicitors ensure that every detail of your immigration journey is handled with accuracy and care.
Conclusion
The My Share Code system is now a central part of the UK’s digital immigration framework, ensuring that individuals can securely and efficiently prove their immigration status. Whether you’re an employer conducting right-to-work checks or an individual seeking to rent or access public services, my share code provides a reliable, quick, and compliant solution.
If you face difficulties generating or using your share code, or if your immigration status needs updating, Primus Solicitors Manchester can assist you in resolving these issues professionally and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is my share code used for?
Your My Share code is used to prove your immigration status to employers, landlords, or other authorities in the UK.
2. How long is my share code valid for?
Each code is valid for 90 days. After that, you must generate a new one.
3. Can I use my share code for multiple checks?
Yes, as long as it hasn’t expired, your Share code can be used multiple times.
4. What if I can’t access share code?
You can recover your access by resetting your GOV.UK login or contact the Home Office for assistance.
5. Is share code the same as my BRP?
No. Your BRP is a physical document, while your Share Code is a digital way to prove your immigration status online.
6. Do British citizens need a share code?
No, British citizens don’t require a share code since they hold full rights of residence.
7. Can Primus Solicitors help if share code doesn’t work?
Yes. Our immigration experts can contact UKVI on your behalf and resolve any discrepancies or errors with your record.
Contact Us
At Primus Solicitors, we offer expert guidance on all immigration matters, including share code and digital immigration status verification.
📞 0161 222 5860
📧 info@ansarhabib.com
📍 First Floor, 402 Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester M22 4FZ
