Your Share Code Guide


A share code is an online nine-digit alpha-numerical code provided by the UK government to enable non-UK nationals to prove their right to work.Since this right to work law has been put into place, employers can no longer accept EU, EEA or Swiss passports or ID cards in order to prove applicants’ immigration status.

For an overseas worker, being able to prove their immigration status quickly and easily to employers, recruiters, landlords and financial services providers through a share code is the key to unlocking those doors.

Going forward, UK employers will have to complete a right to work check for their employees from European countries. Therefore, it’s crucial that HR teams and managers are well informed about this process and how to verify the rights.


TO CREATE A ‘SHARE CODE’ A MIGRANT WORKER WILL NEED:
•    Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) number sometimes called as visa
•    Biometric Residence Card (BRC) number
•    Passport or National Identity card
•    A share code is usually valid for 30 days and is made of 9 alphanumeric characters like 9XY-6GY-2S2.

HOW TO GENERATE A ‘SHARE CODE’ TO SHARE WITH EMPLOYERS?
-    You can create a ‘Share Code’ to share with your employer by following these simple instructions:

You can create a Share Code by using one of the following:


•    Visit offical website: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

•    UKVI Account
•    If you have status under EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
•    Biometric residence Permit (BRP)

HOW TO GENERATE THE RIGHT TO WORK CODE:

•    Visit offical website: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
•    To start the process the candidate will need to gather one of the following; their biometric residence permit number, biometric residence card number or their passport or national identity card.
•    The individual logs into their gov.uk account with the ID they used for their initial visa application.
•    Next, a 6-digit code is then sent to their phone or email address.
•    Once they’ve logged in, they will be able to view their immigration status and generate a code.

•    They must then select why they require the code, whether it’s for an employer, landlord or another purpose.
•    Once this has been selected, they will have the ability to “create share code”, and a nine-digital alphanumeric code will appear on their screen.
•    Finally, the individual can give the code to the employer, along with their date of birth in order to complete the right-to-work checks. And they can begin the onboarding process.

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS VIEW RIGHT TO WORK DETAILS USING SHARE CODE?
-    To view the job applicant’s Right to Work you will need their:

•    Date of Birth
•    Share Code

WHAT INFORMATION IS VISIBLE TO EMPLOYERS BY USING SHARE CODE?
-    Employers can check details of a migrant worker’s Right to work in the UK. They can also view:
•    Types of work they can do.
•    How long they can work in the UK, if there is a time limit restriction. Like in case of most international students are only allowed to work 20 hrs during the term time.
•    Whether they can access services like the NHS.
•    Apply for any benefits in the UK.
•    Can open a Bank account or apply for any credit in the UK.

HOW CAN HR MANAGERS USE THE SHARE CODE?
-    The gov UK share code has been created with the aim to speed up the process of validating an overseas employee’s rights to UK employers. The downfall is that not everyone is aware of this process despite the ease it brings to employers and employees.

Using the unique share code and date of birth of the applicant you will be able to check the following:

•    The types of jobs that the candidate is able to carry out
•    For how long the applicant is legally able to work in the UK
•    Whether they have access to public services like the NHS
•    The applicant’s rights with any UK benefits
•    Whether they are legally able to open a Bank account or apply for any credit in the UK