A share code is a 9-character code your worker gets from the UK Home Office online service. As a UK employer, you check it at gov.uk/view-right-to-work — enter the code and the worker's date of birth — and the Home Office confirms their right to work in seconds. You must do this before their first day and keep a record for the duration of employment plus two years.
What is a share code?
A share code is a unique, time-limited code generated by a worker through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account. It links to the worker's immigration record held by the Home Office and allows employers to verify right-to-work status online — without needing to see or copy a physical document.
Share codes replaced the requirement to check physical BRP cards for most overseas workers after 6 April 2022. They are now the standard method for checking right-to-work for:
- EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Workers with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Workers with a visa or permission to work granted in the UK Visas and Immigration system
How to get a share code (for the worker)
Your worker generates their share code — you do not generate it for them. Here is what they do:
- The worker signs in to their UKVI account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- They 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. If it expires before you check it, the worker must generate a new one.
How to check a share code as an employer (step by step)
- Go to gov.uk/view-right-to-work
- Enter the worker's share code (9 characters, no hyphens needed)
- Enter the worker's date of birth
- Click Check now
- Review the result — the page will show:
- The worker's name and photo
- Whether they have the right to work in the UK
- Any conditions or time limits on their right to work (e.g. a visa expiry date)
- Save a record immediately — take a screenshot or print the page, record the date you checked, and keep it on file
Important: You must complete the check before the worker's first day of employment — not after they start.
What the result means
| Result | What to do | |---|---| | Right to work confirmed — no time limit | Employ freely. Re-check only if their status changes. | | Right to work confirmed — time-limited | Note the expiry date. Set a reminder to re-check before it expires. | | Cannot confirm right to work | Do not employ this person until the issue is resolved. |
What if the share code check fails?
A failed check means the Home Office cannot confirm the worker's right to work. This happens when:
- The share code is entered incorrectly (check for typos)
- The share code has expired (ask the worker to generate a new one)
- The worker does not have the right to work in the UK
If you believe there is a genuine error, advise the worker to contact the Home Office. Do not employ someone who has failed the check — the civil penalty for illegal working is up to £60,000 per worker, and repeated violations can result in criminal prosecution.
How long to keep records
Keep a record of every right-to-work check for:
- The full duration of employment, plus
- Two years after the employment ends
A screenshot of the online check result (showing the date you conducted the check, the worker's name and status) satisfies the legal requirement.
Share code vs BRP card — which do you use?
Since 6 April 2022, employers can no longer accept a physical BRP card as the sole evidence of right to work. Workers who have a BRP must use the online share code service instead. Only a very small number of workers are exempt (those with a Certificate of Application, for example) — for these cases, the Home Office will tell you to use the Employer Checking Service instead.
Automating share code compliance
Manually tracking which employees you've checked, when their visa expires, and when you need to re-check is error-prone — and a single missed re-check can remove your statutory excuse.
KornerIQ automates the entire process:
- Log each employee's share code check with the result and date
- Set automatic re-check reminders 90, 60, 30 and 7 days before a visa expires
- Maintain a full audit trail per employee
- Export compliance reports for Home Office inspections
Start your free 14-day trial →
Frequently asked questions
What is a share code UK? A share code is a 9-character code generated by a worker through the UK Visas and Immigration online service. Employers use it to check right-to-work status online at gov.uk/view-right-to-work.
How do I check a share code? Go to gov.uk/view-right-to-work, enter the share code and the worker's date of birth. The result appears instantly.
How long does a share code last? 90 days from the date of generation. If it expires, the worker must generate a new one.
What if the share code check fails? Do not employ the person until the issue is resolved. The civil penalty for illegal working is up to £60,000 per worker.
Do I need to keep a record? Yes — save a screenshot of the check result, dated with when you conducted it. Keep it for the duration of employment plus two years.
Can I check before someone starts work? Yes, and you must. The check must be completed before the worker's first day.
What is the difference between a share code and a BRP card? A share code is checked online via the Home Office. Since April 2022, BRP card holders must use the online share code service — you can no longer accept the physical card alone.
What penalty do I face for not doing right-to-work checks? Up to £60,000 per illegal worker for a civil penalty, and potential criminal prosecution for knowingly employing someone without the right to work.