How to Get a Share Code for Right to Work? A 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Last Updated on May 16, 2026

Visit the official GOV.UK portal, with your UKVI account or identity document, you can generate a unique nine-character alphanumeric string that allows employers to verify your immigration status instantly and securely through the Home Office database.

Securing a how to get a share code for right to work status is now a mandatory step for most non-British and non-Irish citizens starting a new role. As a consequence of the 2026 total phase-out of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), relying on your digital record is now the only definitive way for a business to avoid facing hefty penalties.

Many high-earners currently looking for Jobs That Pay £50K a Year Without a Degree in the UK find that having their digital paperwork ready is the final hurdle to securing a senior position.

What is a Share Code?

A UK Right to Work share code is a temporary, single-use nine-character alphanumeric security key generated online by an individual via the official GOV.UK portal. It allows prospective employers to securely access the applicant’s live immigration record to verify their legal right to work.

Understanding how to get a share code for the right to work is essential for any non-British or non-Irish citizen starting a new job in the UK.

By logging into the official GOV.UK portal, with your UKVI account or identity document, you can generate this string that allows employers to verify your immigration status instantly and securely through the Home Office database.

How to get a share code for right to work? A 6-step breakdown

To build or generate your share code, visit the GOV.UK portal, enter your identity document details (Passport or BRP) and date of birth, and complete the Multi-Factor Authentication. Once logged in, select Right to Work as the purpose. The system will then generate your 9-character code starting with the letter ‘W’.

• Visit the Portal: Navigate to the official GOV.UK: Prove your right to work page.

• Choose Your Document: Select the identity document linked to your UKVI account (usually your biometric passport).

• Enter Personal Details: Input your date of birth and your document number exactly as they appear on your records.

• Verify via MFA: Enter the security code sent to your registered mobile number or email.

• Select Purpose: Choose Right to Work from the options provided (avoid Right to Rent).

• Generate & Save: Click Generate Share Code and download the PDF for your records.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Share Codes

The most frequent error is providing a Right to Rent code (starting with R) instead of a Right to Work code (starting with W). Other common slip-ups include using an unlinked passport, entering incorrect dates of birth, or failing to download the PDF profile.

Missing that download can completely invalidate an employer’s statutory excuse.

When a worker generates a code, they are essentially unlocking a specific view of their eVisa. This ensures that sensitive personal data is kept private while the employer only sees the information necessary to satisfy the law.

It’s worth double-checking your code prefix before hitting send; many people accidentally generate a ‘Right to Rent’ code, which an employer cannot use. To verify employment, your code must begin with the letter W.

Feature	Details
Code Length	9 Characters (e.g., A12-345-67G)
Validity Period	90 Days from generation
Primary Prefix	Starts with W for Right to Work

Who is Eligible and Needs a Right to Work Share Code?

Most non-British and non-Irish citizens, including those with eVisas, settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) holders, need a share code. Following the 2026 BRP phase-out, digital verification is mandatory for these groups to prove their status to UK employers.

Securing a how to get a share code for right to work status is now a mandatory step for most non-British and non-Irish citizens starting a new role.

With the definitive shift away from physical documentation, your electronic record stands as the sole method for an organisation to remain compliant.

What Documents are Needed for Share Code UK?

To access the share code portal in 2026, you specifically need the identity document linked to your digital UKVI account (usually a biometric passport), your UKVI account login credentials, and access to the mobile device or email address registered for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to receive security codes.

In 2026, the UK border is digital by default. For small business owners and employees alike, understanding the mechanics of the Home Office portal is essential for compliance.

When a worker generates a code, they are essentially unlocking a specific view of their eVisa.

• A valid Passport: This must be the one linked to your UKVI account.

• UKVI Account Credentials: Your sign-in email address and password.

• Access to your Device: To receive MFA codes.

Why is sharing code important for small businesses?

For UK small businesses, processing a digital share code is the mandatory legal method to establish a statutory excuse against civil penalties. Failing to perform this real-time check can result in compliance fines reaching up to £60,000 per illegal worker under the 2026 Home Office regulations.

In 2026, the maximum fine for non-compliance has reached £60,000 per worker, making the digital check a high-stakes task for HR.

This compliance is equally important for those in the service industry. Whether you are calculating a Self-Employed Gardener Hourly Rate UK or setting a Self-Employed Cleaner Hourly Rate UK, ensure that any staff you hire have been digitally verified to protect your business assets.

• Real-time accuracy: Unlike physical cards, the digital portal reflects current visa revocations or extensions.

• Fraud Prevention: Digital codes are significantly harder to forge than physical permits.

• Record Keeping: Employers must download and save the Right to Work Profile PDF generated by the code to prove the check was conducted.

How to use a share code for right to work properly?

To use a share code properly, the employee must provide the 9-character code and their date of birth to the employer. The employer must then enter these into the View a job applicant’s right to work service and conduct a visual identity check (in-person or via video) to remain compliant.

Once you have the code, you must provide it to your employer along with your date of birth. The employer then enters these details into a separate View a job applicant’s right to work portal.

Identity Verification Comparison

Many people mistakenly assume that conducting a digital check overrides the requirement for an in-person meeting. It absolutely does not.

Action	Digital Share Code Check	Physical Identity Check
Data Source	Home Office Live Database	Manual inspection of the document
Employee Presence	Required (In-person or Video Link)	Required (In-person)
Outcome	PDF Profile with Photo	Photocopy of Passport/BRP
Validity	2026 Standard (Mandatory)	Legacy only (British/Irish)

Imagine a local shop hiring a new team member; even with a valid digital code, the manager must still confirm that the person in front of them (or on a live video link) matches the photograph on the Home Office screen. Missing this visual step can invalidate the legal protection for the business.

Can I work in the UK without a share code?

Non-British and non-Irish citizens cannot legally start employment in the UK without a valid share code. Because physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are completely phased out in 2026, the digital share code service linked to an eVisa is the only legally accepted proof of status.

While some individuals with outstanding applications may use the Employer Checking Service (ECS), the vast majority of workers are now expected to use the eVisa system.

If you are still looking for a role, consult our updated List of Companies That Can Sponsor Visa to find employers equipped to handle digital sponsorship and share code verifications.

• British and Irish Citizens: Use physical passports or Irish passport cards; no share code is required.

• Outstanding Applications: If your visa is being processed, your employer must request a Positive Verification Notice (PVN) from the Home Office.

• Legacy Paper Documents: These are no longer accepted for new employees in 2026; you must convert your status to an eVisa first.

How to check a share code for right to work as an employer?

Privacy rules are strict: employees must generate their own code. An employer asking for your login details is not only unprofessional but is likely breaching GDPR and Home Office security protocols. Instead, use the dedicated View a job applicant’s right to work details service.

• Input: Enter the candidate’s share code and their date of birth.

• Review: Check the Work Conditions, some visas limit the number of hours (e.g., Student visas are often 20 hours per week).

• Download: Save the confirmation as a PDF or print it.

• Expiry: Note any expiry dates; a follow-up check must be scheduled before the current visa expires.

Summary of Next Steps

Ultimately, establishing how to get a share code for right to work means instantly proving your legal employment status for UK businesses and non-British citizens in 2026.

To remain compliant in 2026, ensure your eVisa is up to date. Before your first day of work, generate your 9-character W prefix code and have your date of birth ready for your employer.

Small businesses should verify the code through the official portal and conduct a visual identity check to secure their statutory excuse and avoid record-breaking civil penalties.

FAQ about how to get a share code for right to work?

How long does a share code last?

A share code is valid for 90 days. If it expires before your employer uses it, you must log back into the GOV.UK portal and generate a new one.

Is a visa a share code?

No. A visa is your legal permission to stay in the UK. A share code is merely a temporary digital key used to prove permission to a third party.

Is a UK Right to Work share code free?

Yes, it is a free service provided by GOV.UK. Avoid any third-party websites that claim to charge a fee for this process.

How do I get the right to work in the UK?

No. You do not obtain employment rights via the code itself; you secure it through a valid visa category like a Skilled Worker route. The alphanumeric key merely acts as official verification for an employer that your status is already active.

Why is my Right to Work share code invalid?

Usually due to using the wrong prefix (‘R’ instead of ‘W’) or a date of birth mismatch.

How can I share code online with my boss?

You can copy and paste the 9-character code into an email or use the Send code by email function directly within the GOV.UK portal.

Can I use a BRP for the right to work in 2026?

No. Following the 2026 phase-out, physical BRPs are no longer legally valid for new right-to-work checks. You must use the GOV.UK digital share code service that is linked directly to your eVisa status.