How to Prove Right to Work with a Share Code

Every employer in the UK is legally required to verify that new employees have the right to work before their first day of employment. This isn’t optional — employers who fail to check face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

If your immigration status is digital (eVisa, EU Settlement Scheme, or any online-only status), the primary way to prove your right to work is through a share code. This 9-character code lets your employer verify your status through the Home Office’s online checking service.

The Right to Work Check Process

From Your Side

Generate a share code at gov.uk/prove-right-to-work
Select “right to work” as the purpose
Verify your identity using your passport or identity document
Receive your code — valid for 30 days
Give it to your employer along with your date of birth

From Your Employer’s Side

They visit the employer checking service
Enter your share code and date of birth
See your photo, name, and right to work status
Record the check (they must keep evidence)
Confirm you can start work

The entire process takes about 5 minutes from both sides. The faster you provide your code, the faster you can start your new job.

During the Application Process

Some employers ask for right to work evidence early in the process. While they legally only need to check before your first day, providing your code promptly shows you’re organised and ready.

After Receiving a Job Offer

Most commonly, HR will request your share code as part of the onboarding process after you’ve accepted an offer. This is when timing matters most — delays here can push back your start date.

At the Interview

Occasionally, employers ask candidates to bring right to work evidence to interviews. Having your code stored in Apple Wallet means you can show it instantly without needing to generate one on the spot.

The 30-Day Challenge

Right to work share codes expire after just 30 days. This creates a timing challenge:

Generate too early → it might expire before HR completes the check
Generate too late → you delay the onboarding process
HR is slow → you need to generate a replacement

Best Practice

Generate your code when you receive a job offer or when HR requests it. If the process takes longer than expected and your code expires, simply generate a new one and send it to HR.

Even better: Use the Easy Share Code app to track your code’s expiry date and get reminded before it lapses.

What Your Employer Sees

When your employer checks your share code, they see:

✅ Your photograph
✅ Your name
✅ Your right to work status (e.g., “Has the right to work in the UK”)
✅ Any restrictions (e.g., “Can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time”)
✅ Whether a follow-up check is needed (for time-limited visas)

They cannot see:

❌ Your full immigration history
❌ Other visa applications
❌ Your address
❌ Any other personal information

Common Situations

You Have Unrestricted Right to Work

If you have settled status, ILR, or British/Irish citizenship, your employer will see a clear confirmation with no restrictions. No follow-up check is needed.

You Have a Time-Limited Visa

If your visa has an expiry date, your employer will see this. They can still employ you, but they must conduct a follow-up check before your visa expires. This is routine and shouldn’t affect your employment.

You Have Work Restrictions

Some visas come with conditions (e.g., student visas limiting hours during term time). Your employer will see these restrictions and must ensure your role complies with them.

You’re Switching Jobs

Each new employer must conduct their own right to work check. A check done by a previous employer doesn’t transfer. Generate a fresh code for each new job.

What If There’s a Problem?

Code Shows Wrong Status

If the check shows incorrect information, it could mean:

Your status has recently changed and the system hasn’t updated
There’s a data error in the Home Office system

Contact the Home Office resolution centre to resolve discrepancies.

Employer Can’t Complete the Check

If the online system is down or your employer has technical issues, they can use the Employer Checking Service to request a manual verification. This provides a “Positive Verification Notice” that serves as temporary evidence.

If you’ve applied for a visa but haven’t received a decision yet, you may have a Certificate of Application (CoA) that proves your right to work while waiting. Check your application status for details.

Tips for Job Seekers

Have a valid code ready before you start job hunting — you never know when an employer will ask
Store it in Apple Wallet — instant access during interviews or onboarding meetings
Track the expiry — 30 days goes fast during a job search
Be proactive — offer your code to HR rather than waiting to be chased
Generate fresh codes for each serious application to ensure maximum validity
Know your restrictions — be upfront about any work conditions on your visa

Employer Responsibilities

Understanding what your employer must do helps you support the process:

They must check before your first day (not after)
They must see your original share code (not a photocopy from someone else)
They must record the date of the check
They must keep evidence for the duration of employment plus 2 years
They must conduct follow-up checks if your visa is time-limited

Stay Job-Ready

In today’s job market, opportunities can move fast. Having your right to work documentation ready means you can accept offers and start quickly without bureaucratic delays.

Download Easy Share Code UK to keep your share code in Apple Wallet with automatic expiry reminders. It’s free and ensures you’re always prepared for your next career move.

Related reading:

Why Employers Need Your Share Code