If you have permission to live, work or study in the UK, you may need to prove your immigration status at various points. Whether you are starting a new job, renting a property or accessing certain services, being able to view and prove your immigration status quickly is essential.
For most people with digital immigration status, this can be done online through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. From there, you can check your immigration status, confirm whether you have settled or pre-settled status and generate a share code when someone needs to verify your rights.
This guide explains how to view and prove your immigration status, when you may need to do so and what to do if you cannot access your online account.
How to View Your Immigration Status
If your immigration status is held digitally, you can view it by signing into your UKVI account.
Once logged in, you can access information about:
- Your immigration status
- Whether you have settled or pre-settled status
- Your right to work or rent in the UK
- The expiry date of any time-limited permission
Many people use this service to check settled status before applying for a new job, renewing documents or confirming their immigration record.
If you are unsure whether you have settled or pre-settled status, your online account will usually provide this information.
How to Prove Your Immigration Status
Viewing your immigration status is only part of the process. In many situations, you will also need to prove it.
This is normally done by generating a share code through your UKVI account.
A share code allows organisations to securely verify your immigration status online without needing to see physical documents.
You may be asked to provide a share code when:
- Starting a new job
- Renting a property
- Proving your right to work
- Proving your right to rent
- Accessing certain public services
The code is usually valid for a limited period, so if it expires, you can generate a new one whenever required.
When Might You Need to Prove Your Immigration Status?
There are several situations where you may be asked to prove your immigration status.
Some of the most common include:
- Beginning employment with a new employer
- Renting a house or flat
- Returning to the UK after travelling abroad
- Accessing certain benefits or public services
- Confirming your immigration status to government departments
Having access to your UKVI account can make these checks much quicker and reduce the need for additional paperwork.
What Should You Do if You Cannot Access Your Status?
If you cannot access your UKVI account, there are usually steps you can take to regain access.
For example, you may need to:
- Reset your login details
- Update an expired passport or identity document
- Change your email address or telephone number
- Update personal information linked to your account
If the issue cannot be resolved online, you may need to contact UK Visas and Immigration for further assistance.
It is generally a good idea to resolve any access issues before you need to prove your status, particularly if you are due to start a new job or move home.
What Is the Difference Between Pre-Settled and Settled Status?
If you applied under the EU Settlement Scheme, your online account will normally show whether you have pre-settled or settled status.
Pre-settled status gives eligible individuals permission to remain in the UK for a limited period while they continue building their residence.
Settled status provides indefinite permission to remain in the UK and does not have the same time limit.
Understanding which status you hold is important because it can affect your future immigration rights and eligibility to remain in the UK permanently.
What This Could Look Like in Practice
Imagine someone who has recently accepted a new job.
Before their first day, the employer asks them to confirm their right to work in the UK.
Rather than providing a physical immigration document, the employee signs into their UKVI account, generates a share code and sends it to the employer. The employer then uses the code to verify the employee’s immigration status online.
This is now one of the most common ways people prove their immigration status in the UK.
Keeping Your Immigration Status Up to Date
Your online immigration record should always reflect your current personal details.
If you change your:
- Passport
- Identity document
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Name
you should update your UKVI account as soon as possible.
Keeping your information accurate can help avoid delays when proving your immigration status in the future.
Final Thoughts
For most people with digital immigration status, viewing and proving their status is now a straightforward online process.
By signing into your UKVI account, you can check whether you have settled or pre-settled status, view your immigration record and generate a share code whenever you need to prove your rights.
Keeping your account up to date and understanding how the system works can make it easier to demonstrate your right to live, work or rent in the UK whenever required.