Check Share Code UK - Right to Work, Right to Rent and Immigration Status Guide 2026
How to check a UK immigration share code, verify a tenant's Right to Rent, confirm employment eligibility and access digital immigration records.
Checking a share code in the UK is an important process used by employers, landlords, letting agents and other authorised organisations to verify an individual's immigration status and associated rights.
A UK immigration share code is a nine-character code generated through the Home Office's online services. It allows an authorised person to check whether someone has permission to work, rent residential accommodation in England or demonstrate their immigration status for another purpose.
The UK has increasingly adopted digital immigration records, known as eVisas, making online verification an important part of employment, immigration and residential property administration.
For landlords and letting agents, checking a tenant's share code is particularly important because Right to Rent legislation requires prescribed immigration checks before granting relevant residential tenancies in England.
Fraser Bond provides residential lettings, property management, sales and real estate advisory services across London, supporting landlords, tenants and overseas professionals navigating the UK property market.
What Is a Share Code?
A share code is a temporary digital verification code issued through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system.
It allows an individual to share selected immigration information with another person or organisation without providing direct access to their UKVI account.
A share code can be used to verify eligibility for a particular purpose, including employment or renting residential property.
The person conducting the check generally needs both the share code and the individual's date of birth.
How to Check a Share Code Online
To check a share code, the person conducting the verification must use the appropriate official government service.
The process generally involves:
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Visiting GOV.UK.
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Selecting the relevant share code checking service.
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Entering the nine-character share code.
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Entering the individual's date of birth.
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Reviewing the immigration information displayed.
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Completing any additional verification or record-keeping required for that type of check.
Employers and landlords must use their respective checking services rather than relying on a general immigration status check.
Types of UK Share Codes
Share codes are issued for different purposes.
|
Share code type |
First character |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
Right to Work |
W |
Checking employment eligibility |
|
Right to Rent |
R |
Checking residential renting eligibility in England |
|
Immigration status |
S |
Demonstrating immigration status for other purposes |
A code generated for one purpose cannot normally be used for another.
For example, a landlord cannot use a Right to Work share code to complete the prescribed Right to Rent check.
How Long Does a Share Code Last?
A UK immigration share code is valid for 90 days from the date it is generated.
The same code can be used multiple times during its validity period for its intended purpose.
Once the code expires, the individual must generate another code.
Generating a new share code does not automatically invalidate an existing valid code.
How to Check a Right to Rent Share Code
Landlords and letting agents in England must verify that relevant adult occupiers have the legal right to rent residential accommodation.
Where a prospective tenant provides a share code, the landlord must use the Home Office's official Right to Rent checking service.
The landlord should:
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Ask the tenant for a Right to Rent share code beginning with R.
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Obtain the tenant's date of birth.
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Open the official Right to Rent checking service on GOV.UK.
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Enter the requested information.
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Confirm that the photograph and personal details match the prospective tenant.
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Review any restrictions or expiry dates.
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Save evidence of the check and record when it was completed.
The online result must be checked directly. A screenshot supplied by the tenant is not a substitute for the prescribed Home Office online check.
Right to Rent Share Code for Landlords
Right to Rent checks are a legal requirement for landlords granting relevant residential tenancies in England.
The checks apply to all prospective adult occupiers who will use the property as their only or main home, regardless of nationality.
However, not every tenant needs to provide a share code.
British and Irish citizens can normally demonstrate their eligibility through accepted identity documents or an approved digital verification service.
Landlords should apply the checking requirements consistently to avoid unlawful discrimination.
Right to Rent Share Code for Tenants
Tenants with eligible digital immigration status can generate a share code through their UKVI account.
The process generally involves signing into the official service, selecting the option to prove the right to rent and generating a code.
The tenant can then provide the code and their date of birth to the landlord or letting agent.
Tenants should select the correct purpose when generating the code because Right to Work and general immigration share codes cannot replace a Right to Rent code.
How to Generate a Right to Rent Share Code
To generate a share code for renting accommodation in England:
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Visit GOV.UK and search for Prove your right to rent in England.
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Select the online share code service.
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Enter the requested identity details.
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Complete the account security verification.
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Choose the option to prove your right to rent.
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Generate the share code.
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Provide the code and your date of birth to the landlord.
The service is free.
How to Check a Right to Work Share Code
Employers use the Right to Work checking service to confirm whether a prospective employee is legally permitted to work in the UK.
The process is similar to a Right to Rent check but uses a separate government service.
Employers must enter the applicant's Right to Work share code and date of birth.
The result may show the types of work permitted and any time limits or restrictions.
Employers must verify that the information relates to the applicant and retain the prescribed evidence.
Right to Work vs Right to Rent Share Code
Although both services verify immigration-related permissions, they serve different legal purposes.
|
Feature |
Right to Work |
Right to Rent |
|---|---|---|
|
Checked by |
Employer |
Landlord or letting agent |
|
Code begins with |
W |
R |
|
Main purpose |
Employment eligibility |
Renting eligibility |
|
Geographic application |
UK |
England |
|
Code validity |
90 days |
90 days |
|
Date of birth required |
Yes |
Yes |
Using the correct checking service is essential for legal compliance.
Check Immigration Status Using a Share Code
A general immigration share code allows an authorised person or organisation to view relevant immigration information.
The service can confirm aspects of an individual's immigration status and associated rights.
However, general immigration status checks should not replace the specific online services required for employment or Right to Rent compliance.
Share Code and UK eVisa
An eVisa is a digital record of a person's UK immigration status.
It may show their permission to remain in the country and associated conditions.
Individuals with eVisas can use their UKVI accounts to generate share codes for eligible purposes.
The share code does not transfer control of the immigration account to the person conducting the check.
Instead, it allows access to selected information for a limited period.
Share Code for Skilled Worker Visa Holders
Individuals holding Skilled Worker visas may need to provide share codes when starting employment or applying for rental accommodation.
An employer generally requires a Right to Work share code.
A landlord in England generally requires a Right to Rent share code.
These are separate checks.
Skilled Worker visa holders should ensure that their UKVI account information remains accurate, particularly after changing identity documents.
Share Code for Student Visa Holders
International students may need to demonstrate their Right to Rent when securing private accommodation in England.
Eligible students with digital immigration status can generate a Right to Rent share code.
Students taking up employment may also need to demonstrate their Right to Work, including any restrictions on working hours.
The type of share code should match the purpose of the check.
Share Code for Graduate Visa Holders
Graduate visa holders can use the relevant Home Office service to demonstrate their immigration rights.
For employment, they may generate a Right to Work code.
For residential lettings in England, they may generate a Right to Rent code.
Landlords and employers should check the information displayed by the relevant service rather than making assumptions based solely on the visa category.
Share Code for Settled and Pre-Settled Status
Individuals with status under the EU Settlement Scheme may use digital share codes to demonstrate relevant rights.
Those with settled status generally have an indefinite right to remain in the UK.
People with pre-settled status have different immigration arrangements.
Landlords and employers should rely on the official Home Office checking result to establish the relevant permissions.
Share Code Not Working
A share code may fail for several reasons.
Common causes include an expired code, incorrect date of birth, typing errors or using a code generated for another purpose.
If a landlord receives a code beginning with W or S, they should request a new code beginning with R.
If the individual cannot access their UKVI account, they should use the official account recovery or support process.
Can a Share Code Be Checked More Than Once?
Yes. A valid share code can be used multiple times during its 90-day validity period.
For example, a tenant may provide the same Right to Rent code to more than one prospective landlord.
However, each landlord must complete their own prescribed verification process.
A previously completed check by another landlord does not automatically satisfy a new landlord's obligations.
What Happens When a Share Code Expires?
An expired share code cannot be used for a new verification.
The individual should generate another code through the relevant UKVI service.
An expired share code does not, by itself, mean the person's immigration permission has expired.
The validity of the share code and the duration of immigration permission are separate matters.
Can Landlords Accept a BRP Instead of a Share Code?
Landlords can no longer rely on biometric residence permits or biometric residence cards as physical evidence for a prescribed manual Right to Rent check.
Eligible holders should use the relevant digital checking service.
Other accepted original documents may still be used where permitted by Home Office guidance.
Landlords should ensure they follow the correct procedure for the tenant's circumstances.
Right to Rent Checks and Landlord Penalties
Landlords who fail to carry out the prescribed checks may face civil penalties if they rent to someone without the right to rent.
Under the current penalty framework, fines can reach £20,000 per occupier for repeat breaches.
In certain circumstances, criminal penalties may also apply.
Completing the correct checks and retaining evidence can help landlords establish a statutory excuse against civil liability.
How Long Should Landlords Keep Share Code Records?
Landlords must retain evidence of the completed Right to Rent check throughout the tenancy and for one year after it ends.
For an online check, this normally means securely saving or printing the relevant Home Office profile page and recording the date of the check.
Landlords should also comply with data protection requirements when storing tenants' personal information.
Where a tenant has time-limited permission, a follow-up check may be required.
Right to Rent Share Code and Property Management
Professional property management involves several legal and administrative responsibilities.
These include tenant referencing, tenancy documentation, deposit protection, property maintenance and relevant immigration checks.
Right to Rent verification is particularly important for landlords managing properties occupied by overseas professionals, international students and other tenants with time-limited immigration permission.
Fraser Bond provides residential lettings and property management services across London, supporting landlords with tenancy administration and property-related requirements.
Share Code Checks for London Rental Properties
London attracts residents from around the world, including international professionals, students and relocating families.
Areas such as Canary Wharf, Stratford, Greenwich, Kensington, Chelsea, Camden and Wandsworth accommodate diverse tenant populations.
Landlords operating in these locations must apply Right to Rent requirements consistently and lawfully.
A tenant's nationality or immigration background should not be used as a substitute for the prescribed eligibility checks.
Can You Rent Without a Share Code?
Yes. A share code is not the only acceptable method of proving the right to rent.
British and Irish citizens can normally provide accepted identity documents.
Some other tenants may also qualify to use prescribed original documents.
Where an individual cannot provide the usual evidence because of an outstanding immigration application or other qualifying circumstances, the landlord may need to use the Home Office Landlord Checking Service.
Landlords should not automatically reject applicants solely because they cannot generate a share code.
Share Code Checks and Fraser Bond
Checking a share code is an essential part of verifying immigration-related rights for employment, residential renting and other authorised purposes in the UK.
For landlords and letting agents, the Right to Rent process helps establish whether a prospective tenant is legally permitted to rent residential accommodation in England.
Share codes remain valid for 90 days, and the correct checking service must be used for the relevant purpose.
Fraser Bond provides residential sales, lettings, property management and real estate advisory services across London and the wider UK, helping landlords, tenants and property investors navigate residential property requirements.
For professional residential lettings, landlord services, property management and real estate advisory support, visit FraserBond.com.
This article provides general information as of October 2026 and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Landlords should follow the applicable Home Office Right to Rent guidance, including the guidance updated on 1 October 2026.
