UK eVisa Share Codes: How to Prove Your Immigration Status for Work, Renting and Travel

Your new employer or landlord asks for a UK eVisa share code, and you realise the BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) you used to carry no longer does the job. A UK eVisa share code lets you prove your immigration status without handing over a document. For many people this is the first time they use the digital system. This guide explains what a share code is, how to get one and how to use it for work, renting and travel.

Quick answer  

Updated November 2026. Sign in to your UKVI account, view your eVisa and generate a share code. Give the code and your date of birth to the employer or landlord. The code lasts 90 days and should be regenerated after.

What is a UK eVisa share code?  

An eVisa is a digital record of your identity, your immigration status and the conditions attached to it, such as whether you can work or study. GOV.UK says eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents such as the biometric residence permit. A share code is a time-limited code that lets someone check part of that record. You give the code and your date of birth to the person checking, and you do not need to show them your eVisa. When you generate a code, you are told what the recipient will see, so read that screen before you share. A UK eVisa share code lasts 90 days and can be used as many times as you need before it expires. You can generate a new one whenever you need it.

How to get your share code

Your share code comes from your own UKVI account, through the official view and prove your immigration status service. Setting up an account is free, and once it is linked, your eVisa is usually ready within 3 to 48 hours. From there you sign in, view your status, generate your UK eVisa share code and give the code, along with your date of birth, to whoever needs to check it.

The steps are not complicated in themselves, but the right option at each stage depends on your circumstances, and a small slip can hold up a job or a tenancy. This is where Visa Roots can help: our team will set up your account with you and generate the correct share code, so your immigration status is proven properly the first time.

Using your share code for work, renting and travel

  

For a new job, give your employer the code and your date of birth. For a new tenancy, give your landlord or letting agent the same. You may hear it called a right to work share code or a right to rent share code, depending on who is asking, so check the wording on the GOV.UK service when you generate yours. For travel, GOV.UK says you can use a share code when you travel, and that you must first add your passport or travel document details to your UKVI account. Read the official travel with your eVisa page before booking flights, and update your passport details whenever you renew your passport.

Common problems and how to fix them 

 

Most problems come down to sign-in, out-of-date details or an error on the eVisa itself. GOV.UK has an official route for each, from recovering your UKVI account and updating your details to reporting an error, and there are other ways to prove your right to work or prove your right to rent if you cannot view your eVisa. Working out which one applies, and fixing it before it holds up a job or a tenancy, is not always straightforward. Whether you are a nurse, a family member, or a spouse applying from abroad, our candidate support team can handle it for you.

Frequently asked questions  

How long does a share code last?  

A share code lasts 90 days. You can use it as many times as you need before it expires, and you can get a new one at any time.

Do I have to show my eVisa to my employer? 

 

No. You give the share code and your date of birth. The recipient sees some of your personal details, and the service tells you what before you share.

Can I still use my old biometric residence card? 

 

GOV.UK says you may still be able to use a biometric residence card in some situations. Check the official GOV.UK residence card guidance, and set up your UKVI account so you can generate a code.

Conclusion 

 

A UK eVisa share code is the simple way to prove your status to an employer, a landlord or when you travel. Set up your UKVI account, keep your details and passport information current, and generate a fresh code once the previous one expires. Rules and screens can change, so use the official GOV.UK pages as your final check.

Need help settling in? Speak to the Visa Roots team.

Disclaimer

This article is general information, not legal advice. Check GOV.UK for the latest guidance before you act.