Key Takeaways
How to get a right to work share code for a UK job, who needs one, how long it lasts, what employers see and how to fix the most common share code problems.
You have been offered a job, and the employer asks for your right to work share code. If you have never made one, the request can feel like one more hurdle at the worst possible moment. The process itself usually takes only a few minutes once you know which service to use and what to have ready.
This guide explains what a right to work share code is, who needs one, how to get it step by step, how long it lasts, what your employer does with it, and how to fix the problems people run into most often.
Quick answer
A right to work share code is a code that lets a UK employer check your permission to work online. You get one through the GOV.UK "Prove your right to work to an employer" service, or by viewing your eVisa in your UKVI account. A share code lasts for 90 days and can be used as many times as you need before it expires. Give it to your employer with your date of birth. British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code and use a passport or passport card instead.
What is a right to work share code?
UK employers must check that you are allowed to work for them before they employ you. A share code is the online way to do that check if your immigration status is held digitally, for example as an eVisa or under the EU Settlement Scheme.
With your share code and date of birth, an employer can view the types of work you are allowed to do and how long you can work in the UK. They do not need to see your eVisa itself, and you are told which of your personal details they will see when you get the code.
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Who needs a share code?
| Your status | How you prove your right to work |
|---|---|
| British citizen | British passport (current or expired), or other documents such as a UK birth certificate with an official letter showing your National Insurance number. You cannot get a share code in the usual way. |
| Irish citizen | Irish passport or passport card (current or expired), or other accepted documents. |
| eVisa holder, including Student, Graduate and Skilled Worker visas | Share code, or eligible immigration documents if you have them. |
| EU Settlement Scheme status | Share code through your UKVI account. |
| Right of abode with a digital certificate of entitlement | Share code. |
If you are not British or Irish, you can choose between a share code and eligible immigration documents. GOV.UK states that your employer cannot reject your application because you gave them an eligible immigration document instead of a share code.
How to get a right to work share code
- Open the right service. Go to GOV.UK's Prove your right to work to an employer page, or view your eVisa through your UKVI account.
- Sign in. Use the identity details linked to your UKVI account, such as your passport, national identity card, biometric residence card or permit, or UKVI customer number.
- Choose the purpose. Select proving your right to work. Share codes are purpose-specific, so a code made for renting a home is not the right one for an employer.
- Check your details. Make sure your name, photo and status are correct.
- Get the code. Copy the code, or use the option to send it directly to your employer by email if it is offered.
- Send it to your employer along with your date of birth, through whatever process they have asked you to use.
What to have ready
- your sign-in document, such as your passport or biometric residence card or permit number
- access to the mobile number or email address linked to your UKVI account
- your date of birth, exactly as recorded on your status
- your employer's email address, if you want to send the code directly
How long does a share code last?
GOV.UK says a share code lasts for 90 days. You can use it as many times as you need before it expires, and you can get a new one whenever you need one. That means the same work-related code can normally be given to more than one employer during those 90 days.
What happens after you share it?
Your employer enters the code and your date of birth into the GOV.UK view a job applicant's right to work details service. They can then see what work you are allowed to do and for how long. If your permission has conditions, such as the weekly hours limit on a Student visa, the employer needs to respect them. Our guide to getting a part-time job as a student explains how those limits work in practice.
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Common share code problems and how to fix them
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| You have changed your name or nationality, or your photo no longer looks like you | Update your UKVI account before you get a share code. |
| You have a new passport | Add it to your UKVI account so your record stays current. |
| Your eVisa shows the wrong details, or will not produce a share code | Report an error with your eVisa through GOV.UK. |
| You cannot sign in | Use the GOV.UK account recovery help for your UKVI account, or contact UKVI by webchat. |
| The code has expired | Generate a new one. There is no limit on getting a fresh code. |
| The employer cannot view your details | Check they entered your date of birth correctly and used the employer service, then send a new code if needed. |
Right to work is not the same as sponsorship
- Right to work means you are legally allowed to do the job. A share code proves what permission you currently have.
- Sponsorship means an employer with a sponsor licence is supporting your visa. You only need this if your current permission does not allow the work.
Our guides on how visa sponsorship jobs work and switching from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa explain the next steps.
Important
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the latest position. If your situation is complicated, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or your university's immigration team.
Keep your share code safe
Share codes are usually requested at offer stage or just before you start. Do not put a share code on your CV, and be careful if a stranger asks for one early on. Our guide to spotting job scams in the UK explains what genuine employers ask for and when.
A small step at the end of a long search
Getting a share code should be one of the easiest parts of starting a new job. Check that your UKVI account is up to date, generate a code for the right purpose, send it with your date of birth, and keep a note of when it expires.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the GOV.UK "Prove your right to work to an employer" service, or view your eVisa through your UKVI account, then choose to prove your right to work. Send the code and your date of birth to your employer.
No. British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code in the usual way. They prove their right to work with a passport or passport card, or with other accepted documents.
A share code lasts for 90 days. You can use it as many times as you need during that time, and you can get a new one at any point.
Yes, while the code is valid. GOV.UK says a share code can be used as many times as you need before it expires. It should be a code created for proving your right to work.
If you are not a British or Irish citizen, you can choose to use a share code or eligible immigration documents. GOV.UK says an employer cannot reject your application because you gave an eligible document instead of a share code.
No. Share codes are created for a specific purpose. Make sure you select proving your right to work when you get a code for an employer.
More guides on Working in the UK
Tools for this step: Visa sponsorship jobs and Job application tracker.
Sources
- Register of licensed sponsors: workers (GOV.UK)
- Skilled Worker visa (GOV.UK)
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Rules change frequently - always check the current gov.uk guidance or speak to a qualified immigration adviser before making any decisions.