Share Code Right to Work – Complete 2025 Guide and FAQ

For millions of non‑UK nationals in Britain, the right to work share code has become the standard way to prove eligibility before starting a new job. Since the Home Office updated its guidance for checks carried out on or after 12 February 2025, employers are expected to treat a right to work share code as the primary method for completing an online verification.

Under the current rules, a worker generates an alphanumeric code through GOV.UK and shares it with the employer. The employer then uses the official service – entering the code and the person’s date of birth – to obtain a statutory excuse against civil penalty liability. The entire process is designed to replace older paper‑based checks and reduce the risk of document fraud.

However, the shift to a fully digital immigration system, accelerated by the 2025 eVisa transition, has also created confusion about how long a share code lasts, what happens when a person’s status changes, and whether physical documents still have a role. This article sets out the facts, based on authoritative guidance from GOV.UK and independent legal analysis.

How Do I Get a Share Code for Right to Work?

Key insights about share codes

• Share codes are valid for 30 days from generation.
• They replace physical documents like BRP cards for right to work checks.
• Employers must retain the check outcome, not the share code itself.
• Share codes are specific to the purpose (right to work vs. right to rent).
• With the eVisa transition, share codes are the primary method for digital status holders.

Right to work share code snapshot

How Does an Employer Check a Right to Work Share Code?

What is a right to work check?

A right to work check is the process an employer must complete before hiring someone to confirm they are legally allowed to work in the UK. Since 2025, the preferred method for most non‑UK nationals is the online share code check. The employer visits GOV.UK’s “Check a job applicant’s right to work” service, enters the worker’s share code and date of birth, and receives an immediate response.

What information does the employer see when using a share code?

The online result shows whether the person has the right to work and the nature of any restrictions on the type or length of work they can do. According to the Home Office guidance updated for checks on or after 12 February 2025, the check reveals the individual’s name, photograph, and the expiry date of their permission. The employer must keep a record of the outcome – not the share code – to preserve the statutory excuse against a civil penalty if the worker later turns out not to have the right to work.

What Is a Share Code in the UK and How Long Does It Last?

How do I check a share code?

An employer checks a share code by visiting the GOV.UK service designed for that purpose. The worker can either give the code directly to the employer or send it through the service – in the latter case, the employer receives an email from the Home Office notifications address. The code itself begins with the letter “W” when created for right to work purposes.

Can a share code be reused after expiry?

No. Once a share code expires (after 30 days), it cannot be reused. The worker must generate a new code through their UKVI account or eVisa. Some third‑party sources mention a 90‑day validity, but the Home Office guidance for checks on or after 12 February 2025 does not confirm that period. Employers should always refer to the current GOV.UK service for the exact validity at the time of use.

What does a share code contain?

A share code is a randomly generated alphanumeric string. It does not embed personal data; instead, it acts as a temporary key that, when entered on the official service, retrieves the holder’s current immigration record in real time.

How Does the eVisa Transition Affect Share Codes?

Can I get a share code if I only have a biometric residence permit?

Yes, but the process depends on whether you have already created a UKVI account. If you hold a valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that expires after 31 December 2024, the Home Office recommends that you create a UKVI account and link your BRP to it online. Once that is done, you can generate a share code through the eVisa service even without a physical card in hand.

Do I need to create a UKVI account to get a share code?

For most people, a UKVI account is now a prerequisite. The transition to digital eVisas, which began in earnest in 2025, means that the share code is generated from the account, not from a physical document. The worker goes to GOV.UK’s “Prove your right to work to an employer” page, selects their document type (eVisa, BRP, or BRC), enters their ID number and date of birth, and then chooses “prove your right to work” to generate the code.

Step-by-Step Timeline of the Share Code Process

1. Employee logs into GOV.UK (or UKVI account) and selects “Get a share code”. Immediate (online)
2. Employee receives a share code (alphanumeric) valid for 30 days. Within minutes
3. Employee provides the share code to the employer (via email, HR system, etc.). Variable
4. Employer visits www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work and enters the share code. Within the 30-day window
5. Employer sees confirmation of right to work (name, photo, expiry of permission). Immediate
6. Employer saves or prints the check outcome for record‑keeping. Post‑check

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Share Codes?

What Is the Background and Meaning of the Share Code System?

Share codes were introduced as part of the UK’s digital immigration system, replacing physical documents after Brexit. The transition to eVisas in 2025 means that most non-UK nationals now rely on share codes for right to work and rent checks. For employers, share codes reduce the risk of document fraud compared to handling physical BRP cards or vignettes.

Common confusion: “right to live share code” is often a misspelling of “right to rent share code” – the same system but used by landlords. Unlike a static code, the share code is dynamic and tied to the individual’s live immigration status, which is why it cannot be reused after expiry.

Looking ahead, by 2026 all physical BRP cards are expected to be phased out. Share codes generated through eVisa will become the sole method for proving eligibility. The ID Check App may see further integration, allowing code generation directly from a mobile device.

What Do Official Sources Say About Share Codes?

“A share code gives employers secure, real-time confirmation of a person’s right to work without needing to see original documents.”

GOV.UK – Prove your right to work to an employer

“Share codes are valid for 30 days. You will need to create a new share code if you need to prove your right to work after that time.”

Freemovement.org.uk – What are share codes and how do I use them?

“Employers must conduct a check before employment starts and may be liable if they employ someone without the right to work.”

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

What Should Employers and Workers Take Away About Share Codes?

For anyone navigating the UK’s digital right to work system, the share code is now the central tool. Workers should generate a fresh code through their UKVI account before a job start, and employers must always verify it via the official GOV.UK service, keeping the check outcome as evidence. As the eVisa transition continues, physical documents will fade, making the share code the default proof of status. For a broader look at employment in the UK, see the Part Time Jobs Leicester – Your Complete Guide to Flexible Work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Right to Work Share Codes