Navigating Your Path: A Guide to Proving Your Immigration Status in the UK

Moving to a new country comes with many tasks. Even when you have secured a visa and completed the administrative aspects of your move, you will still be required to prove your immigration status regularly. If you are moving to the UK, evidencing your immigration status is needed for work, renting a home, accessing healthcare, and other services. This guide breaks down what you need to know to make the process smoother when proving your immigration status in the UK.

Immigration status refers to the legal standing that determines your rights and responsibilities as a resident in the UK. It sets the framework for what activities you are permitted to undertake while living in the country. There are different types of status, each with specific allowances and conditions:

• Settled status or indefinite leave to remain: typically granted to individuals who have completed a specified period of continuous residence in the UK. Such individuals have the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely.
• Pre-settled status: applies to individuals who have not yet reached the five-year continuous residence requirement under the EU Settlement Scheme. It provides temporary residency and grants the holder rights to work, study, and access services, but with a time limit. Once the five-year period is complete, individuals should be able to secure settled status.
• Limited permission to remain: held by those who are in the UK on specific visas, such as work visas, student visas, or family visas. Permission to remain could also be held on a discretionary basis, outside of Immigration Rules. Each visa comes with its own set of conditions. For example, a Skilled Worker visa allows you to work for a specific employer, while a Student visa permits you to study at an approved educational institution and may include permission to undertake part-time work.
• Refugee status: granted to individuals who have been given asylum due to a risk of persecution in their home country. Refugees have the right to work, access healthcare, and integrate into society similar to other residents with permission to remain.
• Humanitarian protection: granted to those who do not meet the definition of a refugee, but they would face a real risk of suffering serious harm in their home country. Similar to refugees, those that hold humanitarian protection will also be able to work and access healthcare in the UK.

There are two main ways to evidence your immigration status: traditional paper documents and the government’s digital service. The majority of organisations requiring you to prove your immigration status will likely need digital evidence, but sometimes you may be able to provide relevant visa documentation – a vignette endorsed in your passport or issued as a separate document, for example.

The digital service, known as the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online checking service, enables you to share proof of your status with employers, landlords, and service providers. This digital approach is more widely used, which coincides with the government’s intention to ensure that the immigration system is digitalised by January 1st 2025.

Proving your immigration status in the UK has become more streamlined with the help of the UKVI digital service. The steps are:

1. Visit the UKVI website: Go to the ‘view and prove your immigration status’ section.
2. Log in with your details: Use your identity document number to access your profile.
3. Generate a share code: This allows you to give access to your status to an employer or landlord.
4. Share the code: The person checking your status can use the code on the official website to view your immigration status and verify that it belongs to you.

This process only takes a few minutes and provides immediate access to your immigration status.

Below are some practical tips to make the process easier, together with advice on where to find help if needed:

• Keep your information on your digital UKVI account up to date to prevent issues when using digital services. From January 1st 2025, this will include ensuring that your eVisa is connected to the document you are travelling on, although due to anticipated issues with the implementation of the digital immigration system, the UK government has recently announced that those who hold a BRP will be able to use this for the purpose of travelling until at least March 31st 2025.
• Make sure details such as your home address and contact information match what’s on your profile – keeping your information consistent helps avoid delays when accessing your status.
• If you’re not confident using online platforms, seek help from a friend, family member, or community group. Consider travelling with a printout of your online status too.
• Many local organisations offer digital support services for people who need assistance with government portals.
• Charities that assist migrants can provide help with paperwork and technology.

Some issues may arise when proving your status, such as technical difficulties or outdated details. Here’s how to deal with them:

• Technical problems: If the online service is down, try again later or contact the Home Office through their support helpline.
• Refusing to accept a share code: If a landlord or employer says they cannot verify your immigration status online, explain the process or direct them to the Home Office’s guidelines.
• Document expiry: Keep track of expiry dates and ensure that your permission to remain is extended in time to avoid complications. For support, the EU Settlement Resolution Centre and Home Office support teams are available to assist you.

If your immigration status is questioned by an employer, landlord, or official, it’s understandable to feel stressed, but taking practical steps can help resolve the issue.

• Stay calm and document everything: it’s useful to keep a record of any interactions, including emails or written communication, and save copies of any documents or proof of your status that you have provided. Having this information on hand can help clarify what has been shared and serve as evidence if needed later.
• Provide clarifications: sometimes, misunderstandings happen because the person checking your status is not fully familiar with the process. Double-check that they are using the UKVI online checking service correctly. If needed, offer to provide a new share code or explain how the digital checking system works.
• Secure support if necessary: if the issue continues, reaching out to the Home Office directly for advice or further clarification can be helpful. UKVI has also issued a lot of online material, including videos about the digital immigration (eVisa) service, which are quite useful if you’re unsure what to do. You can also approach immigration advisors or charities that specialise in assisting migrants, such as those offering free or low-cost support. These services can provide guidance on how to respond and, if needed, help you to provide further evidence of your immigration status if this is needed.

As mentioned above, you must keep your details current, especially if your personal circumstances change. This might include getting a new passport or updating your mobile phone number. You can update your details through the UKVI online portal:

1. Log in to your account on the UKVI portal.
2. Select the option to update details.
3. Follow the instructions to submit any changes.

This helps prevent disruptions when sharing your status and travelling. If your immigration status changes, your new status should be automatically connected to your UKVI eVisa account – you can speak to an experienced solicitor to learn more about applying to vary your immigration status.

Accessing support and further resources can make a real difference if you need advice or help with your immigration status. Whether you are facing challenges proving your status or have questions about your rights, there are various organisations and services that offer reliable assistance, as summarised above.

Immigration solicitors can also provide in-depth guidance on proving your immigration status, and can guide you through more intricate processes or represent you if required. Solicitors with experience in immigration law can help you understand your position better and prepare any necessary documentation, and can also be on hand if you have any issues going forward.