EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not show you a physical document to prove their right to work. Instead, they generate a share code through their UKVI online account, and you check it at gov.uk/view-right-to-work. This is the only valid way to conduct a right-to-work check for this group of workers.
Who does this apply to?
Since 6 April 2022, UK employers must use the online right-to-work checking service for:
- EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status under the EUSS
- Workers with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Workers with a visa or permission to work granted through UK Visas and Immigration
You can no longer accept a passport or national identity card from an EU, EEA or Swiss national as proof of right to work in the UK — even if their passport is valid. The online share code check is mandatory.
Exception: EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who arrived in the UK before 1 January 2021 and did not apply to the EUSS by 30 June 2021 may have a different status. Contact the Home Office for guidance in these cases.
Settled status vs pre-settled status — what is the difference?
| | Settled Status | Pre-Settled Status | |---|---|---| | Who gets it | EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who lived in the UK for 5+ continuous years before 31 December 2020 | Those who lived in the UK for less than 5 years | | Right to work | Unrestricted — no time limit | Restricted — tied to pre-settled status expiry | | What it shows on share code | Right to work — no time limit | Right to work — expiry date shown | | Follow-up check needed | No | Yes — before pre-settled status expires |
This distinction is critical for employers. A worker with settled status has a permanent right to work — you check once and do not need to repeat unless their status changes. A worker with pre-settled status has a time-limited right to work, and you must conduct a follow-up check before their status expires.
How the worker generates their share code
The worker does this — you do not generate it for them. Here is what they do:
- Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- Sign in to their UKVI online account
- Select "Share your status with an employer"
- The service generates a 9-character share code (format: three letters, six numbers, e.g.
W4J-F3K-123) - They share the code with you along with their date of birth
The share code is valid for 90 days from the date of generation.
How you check the share code as an employer
- Go to gov.uk/view-right-to-work
- Enter the worker's share code (9 characters)
- Enter the worker's date of birth
- Click Check now
The result will show:
- The worker's name and photograph
- Their nationality
- Whether they have the right to work in the UK
- If their right to work is time-limited (pre-settled status), the expiry date will be displayed
- Any conditions on their right to work (e.g. student visa work hour restrictions)
What to do with the result
If settled status is confirmed (no time limit)
The worker has an unrestricted right to work. You can employ them freely.
Record keeping: Take a screenshot of the result showing the date, the worker's name, and their status. Store it in their employee file. Keep it for the full duration of employment plus two years after it ends.
You do not need to conduct a follow-up check unless their status changes.
If pre-settled status is confirmed (time-limited)
The worker has the right to work, but only until their pre-settled status expires.
What you must do:
- Note the expiry date shown on the result screen
- Set a reminder to conduct a follow-up check before the expiry date
- Save the result with the date of check and the expiry date noted
Statutory excuse: Completing the online check correctly gives you a statutory excuse against a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker — but only if you complete it before the worker's first day and keep the record.
Common questions from employers
Can I accept a biometric residence card (BRC) or EU passport instead? No. Since 6 April 2022, you must use the online right-to-work checking service for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Accepting a physical document instead is not a valid check and does not give you a statutory excuse.
What if the worker does not have a UKVI account? Workers who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme should have a UKVI account. If they do not, they need to contact the Home Office to access their account. You should not employ someone who cannot demonstrate their right to work through a valid method.
The share code shows "cannot confirm right to work" — what now? Do not employ this person until the issue is resolved. Ask them to contact the Home Office. Do not make assumptions based on their nationality or previous employment history.
What if the worker has an Irish passport? Irish nationals have an automatic right to work in the UK under the Common Travel Area agreement. You can accept a valid Irish passport or Irish passport card as proof of right to work — you do not need a share code for Irish nationals.
What about workers who applied to the EUSS late? Workers who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme after 30 June 2021 may have a Certificate of Application. The Employer Checking Service can verify their right to work in these cases — contact the Home Office for guidance.
How KornerIQ helps
For any worker with pre-settled status, KornerIQ automatically records the expiry date from their right-to-work check and sends you alerts at 90, 60, 30 and 7 days before their status expires — so you always conduct the follow-up check on time. Every check is stored against the employee record with a full audit trail, ready for any Home Office inspection.