The advancement of technology has made it easier than ever for the public to access government documents and information with just a click of a finger.
Thankfully, UK government sites stay caught up in the advancing world. Getting documents from the UK government is convenient with the help of online services for easy access.
One of the services of GOV.UK is getting a Share Code online. The UK government started using Share Codes in July 2021.
If you are a non-UK resident working or living in the UK, you need to be familiar with Share Codes.
Have you ever heard about Share Code UK? If not, you are lucky, as this article outlines what a Share Code is and why it is needed.
This article discusses how non-UK residents, UK landlords, and UK employers can use a Share Code in the UK.
In this article, you will learn about the following:
- What Is a Share Code in the UK
- Who Needs a Share Code UK
- How to Get UK Share Code
- Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
A Share Code UK is a nine-character code composed of a combination of letters and numbers, which may look like “B12 345 67A”, for example.
The code is only given online by GOV.UK when you need to view and prove your immigration status or prove your right to work to an employer.
It is made explicitly for non-UK residents to use as part of their right to work.
With the help of a Share Code, employers can quickly check a job applicant’s right to work.
Moreover, it is beneficial for employers and applicants to avoid long waiting periods just for a thorough status check when they can instantly check it online with a single code.
Keep in mind Share Codes are also needed when you want to rent a property in the UK, which will be discussed in detail below.
For non-UK residents, Share Codes are basically needed for three general purposes: to prove your immigration status, prove your right to work, and prove your right to rent.
Thus, it is needed by you, the applicant or tenant. The Share Code is given to employers or landlords.
If you are an employer or landlord, you will need the applicant’s Share Code to check for status and other relevant information. You’ll need a couple of documents in order to obtain a Share Code.
The document requirements vary, depending on who needs the share code.
Below is a complete list of documents you’ll need to get a Share Code according to different purposes.
Applicant
To prove your immigration status
The GOV.UK offers an online service to prove a non-UK resident’s immigration status.
However, this service is exclusively available for those who have a UKVI account, which is only obtained through applications made via EU Settlement Scheme and visa applications via UK Immigration: ID Check app.
If you have a UKVI account, you need to have the following to be able to view or prove your immigration status online and get a Share Code.
- Date of birth
- The ID details of the ID you used for your UKVI account
- Code for login, which is sent to the email address or mobile number used for your UKVI account
To prove your right to work
Before you can be employed, employers need your Share Code to know which jobs you can legally apply for and the allowed duration you can work in the UK.
To get a Share Code for employers online, you need to provide the following details:
- Passport or national identity card
- Biometric residence card number
- Biometric residence permit number
Tenant
To prove your right to rent in England
As a tenant, you can use GOV.UK’s online service to get a Share Code to prove your right to rent in England.
However, you can only use this service if you have a biometric residence card or permit, have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, or have used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your ID for a visa application.
To prove your right to rent online, you must be able to provide your:
- Date of birth
- Passport or national identity card, Biometric residence card, or Biometric residence permit (at least one of the list)
This service is only for those looking to rent in England since proving your right to rent in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is unnecessary.
If you cannot get a Share Code through this service, you can still prove your right to rent by providing other acceptable documents.
Employer
To verify an applicant’s right to work
For employers, especially the HR in charge, they need the applicant’s Share Code UK Right to Work to check if they are eligible to apply for the job and the duration they are allowed to work in the UK.
To be able to check an applicant’s right to work, the employer needs the applicant’s date of birth and right to work Share Code.
In case the applicant cannot provide a Share Code, the employer can check the applicant’s original documents instead.
Landlord, the Agent for the Landlord, a Tenant Subletting
To verify a tenant’s right to rent in England
If you are the landlord of a residential property, you can use your tenant’s Share Code to know how long a tenant can rent the property.
Aside from landlords, the agent of the landlord or a tenant subletting a property without the landlord’s permission will also need the tenant’s Share Code.
To be able to use GOV.UK’s online service to get a Share Code to check a tenant’s right to rent in England, you need to have the tenant’s date of birth and Share Code.
The Share Code is usually given via email or in person. If the tenant cannot provide a Share Code, the landlord can check the tenant’s original documents as an alternative.
Once you have confirmed that you have all the required documents to get a Share Code online from GOV.UK, you can now apply for one.
Choose the appropriate purpose and follow the step-by-step instructions outlined below.
Applicant
To prove your immigration status
- 1. Visit GOV.UK’s page – View and prove your immigration status: get a share code.
- 2. Click Start Now.
- 3. Answer the question – What identity document did you use in your application? (Passport, National identity card, or Biometric residence card or permit).
- 4. Click Continue.
- 5. Enter the ID details (Passport, National identity card, or Biometric residence card or permit) and click Continue.
- 6. Input your date of birth and click Continue.
- 7. Next, choose whether you want to receive a security code via SMS or email and click Continue.
- 8. Afterwards, click Prove your Status.
- 9. Then, click Get Share Code.
- 10. Select a reason why you need the Share Code. (to prove my right to work, right to rent, or something else).
- 11. Click “Preview what the checker will see” if you wish.
- 12. Or you can click Create Share Code.
- 13. Get your Share Code by downloading the PDF file, printing the page, or clicking Send code by email.
To prove your right to work
- Visit GOV.UK’s page – Prove your right to work to an employer: get a share code.
- Click Start Now.
- Answer the question – Tell us about your immigration status. Choose from the three options: I have a UK Visas and Immigration account, I have status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or I have a biometric residence card or permit).
- Click Continue.
- Answer the question – What identity document did you use in your application? (Passport, National identity card, or Biometric residence card or permit).
- Enter the ID details (Passport, National identity card, or Biometric residence card or permit) and click Continue.
- Input your date of birth and click Continue.
- Next, choose whether you want to receive a security code via SMS or email and click Continue.
- Afterwards, click Prove your Status.
- Then, click Get Share Code.
- Select a reason why you need the Share Code. (to prove my right to work, right to rent, or something else).
- Click “Preview what the checker will see” if you wish.
- Or you can click Create Share Code.
- Get your Share Code by downloading the PDF file, printing the page, or clicking send code by email.
Tenant
To prove your right to rent in England
- Visit GOV.UK’s page – Prove your right to rent in England: get a share code.
- Click Start Now.
- Answer the question – Tell us about your immigration status. Choose from the three options: I have a UK Visas and Immigration account, I have status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or I have a biometric residence card or permit).
- Click Continue.
- Answer the question – What identity document did you use in your application? (Passport, National identity card, or Biometric residence card or permit).
- Enter the ID details (Passport, National identity card, or Biometric residence card or permit) and click Continue.
- Input your date of birth and click Continue.
- Next, choose whether you want to receive a security code via SMS or email and click Continue.
- Afterwards, click Prove your Status.
- Then, click Get Share Code.
- Select a reason why you need the Share Code. (to prove my right to work, right to rent, or something else).
- Click “Preview what the checker will see” if you wish.
- Or you can click Create Share Code.
- Get your Share Code by downloading the PDF file, printing the page, or clicking send code by email.
Employer
To verify an applicant’s right to work
- Visit GOV.UK’s page – Check a job applicant’s right to work: use their share code
- Click Start Now.
- Input the Share Code in the text box and click Continue.
- Input the date of birth of the applicant and click Continue.
- Follow the remaining steps to obtain the details of the applicant.
Landlord, the Agent for the Landlord, a Tenant Subletting
To verify a tenant’s right to rent in England
- Visit GOV.UK’s page – Check a tenant’s right to rent in England: use their share code.
- Click Start Now.
- Input the Share Code in the text box and click Continue.
- Input the date of birth of the applicant and click Continue.
- Follow the remaining steps to obtain the details of the applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Share Code is valid for one month or 30 days upon getting one. If it is past 30 days, the applicant or tenant should obtain a new Share Code.
Based on the website, there is no fee asked to get a Share Code. You only need to provide the documents required to obtain one.
If you can’t seem to log in to your UVKI account, Contact UKVI and answer the questions in the form.
Have you tried getting a Share Code online? Share your experience and how it went by writing a comment below.
Don’t forget to share this article to those who need to know how to use Share Code UK.
Are you a resident of the UK and want to learn more about rules and regulations under GOV.UK? Have a read of several Winterville articles to help guide you.
From How to Contact DVLA(UK) to UK Driving Licence and How to Check Status of Driving Licence Online, Winterville has all the guides you need.
