UK Immigration Status Checker

Step-by-step guide to check your UK immigration status, get share codes, and use official GOV.UK eVisa services. Helper tool for right to work and right to rent checks.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: This tool provides guidance only and cannot verify your immigration status. This is not legal advice. You must use official GOV.UK services to check or prove your immigration status. Always use the official government websites linked below.

Get Personalized Guidance

What does this tool do?

This UK immigration status checker helps you understand your current UK immigration status and provides information about your rights, entitlements, and obligations based on your visa type or immigration category. It guides you through questions about your current status, length of stay, visa type, and other relevant factors to provide personalized information about your immigration situation. The tool provides general guidance about work rights, access to public funds, healthcare entitlements, and other important aspects of UK immigration status.

Who should use this tool?

This tool is designed for individuals currently in the UK on various visa types, people planning to come to the UK, individuals whose immigration status may have changed, people seeking to understand their rights and entitlements, and anyone who needs general guidance about UK immigration status. It's particularly useful for visa holders, students, workers, family members of UK residents, and individuals navigating the UK immigration system.

How to use this tool

  1. Answer the questions about your current UK immigration status, including your visa type or immigration category.
  2. Provide information about how long you've been in the UK and your current situation.
  3. Answer questions about your work rights, access to public funds, and other relevant factors.
  4. Review the information provided about your immigration status, rights, and obligations.
  5. Use the information as a starting point for understanding your situation, but always verify with official sources.

Example

For example, if you're a Tier 2 (General) visa holder who has been in the UK for 3 years, the tool would provide information about your work rights (you can work for your sponsor employer), your path to settlement (you may be eligible after 5 years), your access to public funds (generally limited), and your healthcare entitlements (you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge). The tool helps you understand what your visa allows and what restrictions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tool official UK government guidance?

No, this is an informational tool only. It provides general guidance based on common UK immigration rules, but it cannot replace official government advice. Always consult the UK government's official immigration website (GOV.UK) or qualified immigration advisors for official and personalized advice.

Can this tool help me apply for a visa?

This tool provides information about immigration status and rights, but it does not assist with visa applications. For visa applications, you must use the official UK government visa application system and follow the official guidance on GOV.UK.

What should I do if I'm unsure about my immigration status?

If you're unsure about your immigration status, consult the official UK government website (GOV.UK), contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), or seek advice from a qualified immigration advisor or solicitor. This tool provides general information only and cannot provide personalized legal advice.

Does this tool provide legal advice?

No, this tool provides general informational guidance only. It does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice about your specific immigration situation, you should consult with a qualified immigration solicitor or advisor who can provide personalized guidance based on your circumstances.

Important disclaimer

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial, legal, medical, or professional advice. This tool provides general guidance based on common UK immigration rules and cannot replace official government advice or legal counsel. UK immigration rules are complex and subject to change. Always consult the official UK government website (GOV.UK), UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), or qualified immigration advisors for official, current, and personalized advice about your specific immigration situation. This tool should not be used as the sole basis for immigration decisions.

How to Use This UK Immigration Status Checker

This helper tool provides step-by-step guidance on how to check UK immigration status, obtain share codes, and use official GOV.UK eVisa services. Select what you need, who you are, and your immigration category to receive personalized guidance with direct links to the official government services you need.

Important: This tool cannot verify your immigration status or generate share codes. It only provides guidance on how to use the official GOV.UK services. You must always use the official government websites to check or prove your immigration status. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Understanding UK Immigration Status Checks

The UK government uses a digital immigration status system (eVisas) that allows you to view and prove your immigration status online. Instead of physical documents, you can access your status through the GOV.UK View and Prove service and generate share codes that employers and landlords can use to verify your right to work or right to rent.

Share codes are temporary codes (valid for 90 days) that you can share with employers or landlords so they can check your immigration status without seeing your full personal details. You generate these codes through the official GOV.UK website, and the employer or landlord uses the code along with your date of birth to verify your status.

Right to Work Checks

Employers in the UK are legally required to check that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you're a migrant worker, you can generate a share code through the GOV.UK View and Prove service and share it with your employer. The employer then uses the official GOV.UK right to work checking service to verify your status using the share code and your date of birth.

The right to work check must be done before employment begins. Employers can face penalties if they employ someone without the right to work. The share code system makes it easy for both migrants and employers to complete these checks digitally without needing to see physical documents.

Right to Rent Checks

Landlords in England are required to check that tenants have the right to rent in the UK before renting a property. Similar to right to work checks, migrants can generate a share code through the GOV.UK View and Prove service. The landlord then uses the official GOV.UK right to rent checking service to verify the tenant's status using the share code and date of birth.

Right to rent checks must be completed before a tenancy agreement is signed. Landlords can face penalties if they rent to someone without the right to rent. The share code system streamlines this process and allows checks to be completed digitally.

Viewing Your Immigration Status

You can view your UK immigration status online through the GOV.UK View and Prove service. You'll need to create an account or sign in using the details you used when you applied for your visa. Once signed in, you can see your current immigration status, visa expiry date, and conditions of your stay.

If you have a physical BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) or BRC (Biometric Residence Card), you may need to update your account to link it to the digital system. The GOV.UK website provides guidance on how to do this. Always keep your account details secure and don't share your login information with anyone.

Getting and Using Share Codes

To get a share code, sign in to the GOV.UK View and Prove service, select whether you need a code for right to work or right to rent, and generate the code. Share codes are valid for 90 days, so you can generate them in advance if needed. Share the code with your employer or landlord, who will use it along with your date of birth to check your status on the official GOV.UK checking service.

If you're an employer or landlord checking someone's share code, you'll need the share code and the person's date of birth. Enter these details on the official GOV.UK checking service to see their immigration status and whether they have the right to work or rent. The service will show you what you need to know without revealing unnecessary personal information.

Important Considerations

This tool provides guidance only and cannot verify immigration status or generate share codes. You must always use the official GOV.UK services for actual status checks and share code generation. This tool is not a substitute for official government services and does not provide legal advice.

If you have questions about your immigration status, visa conditions, or need help with the official services, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or seek advice from a qualified immigration advisor. Never share your login details or personal information with unofficial services or third parties claiming to help with immigration status checks.

Disclaimer: This UK Immigration Status Checker is an informational guide only. It cannot verify immigration status, generate share codes, or provide legal advice. You must use official GOV.UK services to check or prove your immigration status. This tool is not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK government. Always use the official government websites linked in the instructions for actual status checks and share code generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a share code?+

A share code is a temporary code (valid for 90 days) that you can generate through the GOV.UK View and Prove service. You share this code with employers or landlords so they can check your immigration status without seeing your full personal details. The employer or landlord uses the code along with your date of birth to verify your right to work or right to rent on the official GOV.UK checking service.

How do I get a share code?+

To get a share code, sign in to the GOV.UK View and Prove service using the details you used when you applied for your visa. Select whether you need a code for right to work or right to rent, and generate the code. Share codes are valid for 90 days, so you can generate them in advance if needed. Always use the official GOV.UK website to generate share codes.

How long is a share code valid?+

Share codes are valid for 90 days from when they're generated. After 90 days, you'll need to generate a new code if you need to share your status again. You can generate multiple share codes if needed, and each one is valid for 90 days.

Can this tool verify my immigration status?+

No, this tool cannot verify your immigration status. It only provides guidance on how to use the official GOV.UK services. You must use the official GOV.UK View and Prove service to check your actual immigration status, and employers/landlords must use the official GOV.UK checking services to verify status using share codes.

What if I can't access my immigration status online?+

If you can't access your immigration status online, you may need to update your account or link a physical BRP/BRC to the digital system. Check the GOV.UK website for guidance on accessing your status. If you continue to have problems, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for assistance. Never use unofficial services or share your login details with third parties.

How do employers check right to work?+

Employers check right to work using the official GOV.UK right to work checking service. The employee provides a share code and their date of birth. The employer enters these details on the GOV.UK checking service to verify the employee's right to work. The check must be done before employment begins. Employers can face penalties if they employ someone without the right to work.

How do landlords check right to rent?+

Landlords in England check right to rent using the official GOV.UK right to rent checking service. The tenant provides a share code and their date of birth. The landlord enters these details on the GOV.UK checking service to verify the tenant's right to rent. The check must be done before a tenancy agreement is signed. Landlords can face penalties if they rent to someone without the right to rent.

Is this tool official or affiliated with the UK government?+

No, this tool is not official or affiliated with the UK government. It's an informational guide that provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the official GOV.UK services. You must always use the official government websites (linked in the instructions) to check or prove your immigration status. This tool cannot verify status or generate share codes.