At various stages of life, people living in the UK who originate from other countries may need to share their immigration status. Whether you’re applying to rent a new flat, enrolling in a university, or starting a new job, you’ll often need to prove your immigration status. Employers are legally required to perform “right to work” checks, landlords must conduct “right to rent” checks, and proof of status is essential for accessing healthcare, travelling internationally, claiming state benefits, opening a bank account, and more.
Your immigration status isn’t just a legal formality − it’s a critical factor that determines your access to key services, your right to work or reside in the UK, and your ability to integrate into various aspects of daily life. For example, you’ll need to show your immigration status when applying for a UK driving licence or registering to get married. Understanding how and when to provide proof of settlement is essential to navigate these situations smoothly.
But where do you start? How can you view your immigration status, and how do you prove it?
This article will guide you through the process of viewing and proving your immigration status, specifically using proof of settlement. We’ll cover the importance of the share code system − how to generate and share a code − and why you might need a notary during certain stages of the immigration process. By proactively understanding these steps, you can ensure you’re prepared for life’s key moments during which your status must be verified.
Understanding Your Immigration Status in the UK
Immigration status refers to the type of permission a person has to reside in the country. It’s commonly called ‘leave to remain’. This permission, granted by the Home Office, defines how long a person can stay and what activities they can undertake, such as working or studying.
Main Types of Immigration Status in the UK
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): This permanent residency allows individuals to live and work in the UK indefinitely.
- British Citizenship: Achieved through naturalisation, this status offers full citizenship rights, including having a British passport.
- Asylum Seeker: This applies to those awaiting a decision on their asylum application.
- Commonwealth Visas: These are granted based on ancestry or schemes like the Youth Mobility Scheme, specifically for Commonwealth citizens.
- Temporary Visas: These include student visas, family visas, and visas for seasonal or skilled workers, who will need a notarised letter of invitation before they arrive.
Pre-Settled vs. Settled Status
There are two main types of settlement status. Under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), pre-settled status, which gives temporary residency for five years, is granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who’ve lived in the UK for less than five years. After five years of continuous residence in the UK, individuals are eligible to apply for settled status. This is for those who’ve lived in the UK for five years or more, granting permanent residency and rights akin to ILR.
Note, those who have a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) status, whether because they have an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status allowing them to reside in the UK indefinitely, may need to convert older forms of documentation into the UK’s digital system for streamlined verification via the ‘View and Prove’ service. This ensures their status is securely accessible and shareable for applications such as employment, housing, and public services.
The Digital Immigration Status System
The UK’s digital immigration status system − the eVisa − is a modern approach to managing and verifying immigration statuses. The system replaces traditional physical identification documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), with a secure online record of a person’s immigration status.
The move to digital status eliminates the risk of losing or damaging essential papers, as the information is securely stored online. It also simplifies the process of proving immigration status to employers, landlords, and other service providers, as they can verify your status directly via the GOV.UK website using a unique share code. This reduces administrative delays and ensures that the most up-to-date information is always available. Plus, the system is designed to align with modern border control and identity verification processes, making it both efficient and secure.
Accessible through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) service, this system allows users to view, update, and share their status electronically. Next, we’ll explain how to access your UKVI account and use the share code system to generate a share code to prove your immigration status.
Accessing Your UKVI Account to View and Prove Your Immigration Status
Accessing your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account is essential for managing your immigration status, viewing your eVisa, and updating personal details. If you’ve applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, created an account during a visa application, or accessed your eVisa, you likely already have a UKVI account. If not, you’ll create one when accessing your eVisa for the first time. Keeping your UKVI account information up to date is crucial for ensuring seamless access to services and compliance with UK immigration regulations.
1. Information Required for Account Setup
To create or access your UKVI account, you’ll need the following:
- ID: A valid passport, national identity card, or BRP.
- Contact Details: A current email address and phone number.
- Application Details: Your visa application number, such as the Global Web Form (GWF) number or Unique Application Number (UAN), if available.
2. Creating or Accessing Your UKVI Account
- Visit the GOV.UK Website: Go to the UKVI account page.
- Create an Account: If you don’t have an account, follow the prompts to set one up.
- Access an Existing Account: If you have an account, sign in using your registered email address and password.
3. Verification Process
Upon signing in or creating an account, you’ll receive a security code via email or phone to verify your identity. Enter this code when prompted.
4. Managing Your Account
Once logged in, you can:
- View Your eVisa: Check your current immigration status and conditions.
- Update Personal Details: Modify your contact information, address, or ID details.
- Prove Your Status: Generate a ‘share code’ to provide your status to employers, landlords, or other organisations.
How To Share Your Immigration Status with a Share Code
The share code system is an innovative digital tool introduced by the UK government to simplify how individuals prove their immigration status. By replacing physical documents, the system offers a faster and more convenient way to share your status when needed. With a unique, time-limited code linked to your UKVI account, your immigration details are just a few clicks away for authorised third parties in situations such as starting a new job, renting a property, or accessing public services.
“How do I get my share code?”, you may wonder. To share your status, log in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account on the GOV.UK website. Once logged in, select the purpose for sharing your status − for example, proving your right to work or rent. The system will then generate a unique share code, which you can provide to the requesting party, such as an employer or landlord.
The person or organisation receiving the code can use it to verify your immigration status through the GOV.UK portal. They may also ask for additional details, such as your date of birth, to complete the verification process.
How to Prove Your Immigration Status with a Settlement Status
If you’ve been granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, your settled status will be recorded digitally − you won’t receive a physical document as proof. By understanding and utilising this digital system, you can confidently prove and view your settled status in the UK whenever necessary.
To prove your settled status, log in to your UKVI account. Select ‘prove your status’ and indicate why you’re sharing your information (for example, ‘right to work’ or ‘right to rent’). The system will generate a unique, alphanumeric share code that’s valid for 30 days.
Provide the share code and your date of birth to the requesting party. They can then verify your status by entering these details on the ‘Prove someone’s immigration status’ on the GOV.UK page.
Why You’ll Need Notarisation Services During the Immigration Process
Notarised documents are often needed when you can’t submit original documents, or the requesting party requires confirmation that a document is genuine. During the immigration process, you may be asked to provide certified copies of documents, such as passports or foreign birth certificates. If you need to explain a particular topic, you may be asked to provide a notarised affidavit, which is a legal statement made under oath.
Typically, notarised documents are more commonly required when intended to be used outside of the UK. If applying for citizenship in a foreign country, you will be asked to provide notarised copies of various documents, including passports, birth certificates and educational documents. When applying for visas, you may be asked to provide notarised evidence of your UK immigration status, sponsorship letters or bank statements.
Our team has experience helping clients get documents notarised for a range of immigration-related reasons. Contact us for further details on our notarisation services.
Conclusion
Proving your immigration status is often a basic requirement to live and thrive as a foreigner settling in the UK. You can navigate these processes by understanding your specific status type, using the digital tools provided by the UK Government, and addressing older formats in ‘no time limit’ cases.
Ensure seamless access to opportunities and services in the UK by keeping your UKVI account up to date, generating share codes when needed, and using notarisation services when required for critical documents.