A settled status gives you indefinite permission to remain in the UK.

However, the methods to prove such a status are changing as the UK replaces physical residence permits with digital immigration records. To get proof of settled status, you must now generate an alphanumeric share code online.

This post explores the eVisa process and ways to prove your settled status.

What is proof of settled status?

A proof of settled status is an official confirmation by the UK government that you have the legal right to live, work, or study in the UK without time limits.

Settled and pre-settled status were granted under the EU settlement scheme, which allowed indefinite residence in the country. Currently, you typically won’t get a physical residence card as an EUSS holder. The proof of settled status is issued as an eVisa linked to your UKVI account.

The proof is valuable as you’ll need it for major milestones in the UK, including renting a home.

Person viewing proof of settled status in UKVI online account

Situations where proof of settled status is required

You’ll be required to prove your settled status in the following scenarios:

  • Renting a home: Your potential landlord will confirm that you have the legal right to live in the UK before granting you tenancy of their property. The “right to rent” check will require you to generate and share a code on the government’s “view-and-prove” service so the landlord/agent can confirm your immigration status.

  • Seeking employment: Before hiring you, the potential employer will conduct a “right to work” check. They will request proof of settled status, which you can generate through the view-and-prove service.

  • During international travel: Airlines may check UK immigration status electronically during check-in using the passport linked to your UKVI account. If the automated check cannot confirm your status, you may need to generate a share code and provide it to the airline for manual verification.

  • Accessing public and financial services: You’ll typically be required to prove your settled status when opening a bank account, registering for NHS care, or verifying benefit eligibility with the Department for Work and Pensions.

You may also be required to prove your status overseas. In most cases, your status is verified digitally through the UKVI system.

However, some overseas authorities may request a notarised and legalised copy of your UK immigration status to support a visa application, banking and legal matters, or family immigration procedures.

In that case, you’ll use a notary to prepare a notarised paper version of your proof of settled status and send the notarised copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office for an apostille certificate.

Our firm is an FCDO-registered apostille facilitator, and we can help you navigate this process as follows:

  • We maintain relationships with trusted London notaries, and we can organise a same-day physical or remote appointment.

  • We submit and collect documents at the FCDO Legalisation Office each working day, ensuring you can get your apostille certificate as soon as the next working day.

Ready to prepare your proof of settled status for use outside the UK?

Request a no-obligation quote, and we’ll guide you through the correct document legalisation route.

Step-by-step instructions on how to get proof of settled status

The government has streamlined the process for getting proof of settled status. Here’s how to navigate the free and fully online process step by step.

Step 1: Prepare your login details and identity document

You want to have your documents and login details ready before beginning the process.

You’ll need the identity document you used in the original EUSS application. This can be your passport, national ID, or British Residence Permit (BRP). You’ll also need access to the email or phone number to get the security code.

If you renewed your passport or changed your phone number/email address, you should update your details first.

Step 2: Log in to the UKVI view-and-prove service

Navigate to the official view-and-prove service on the gov.uk website. It is important not to use third-party sites to protect your personal data.

Once logged in, you’ll see your status type (settled or pre-settled), the date it was granted, and a button to generate the share code.

Step 3: Choose the right share code purpose

The eVisa system issues 3 different types of share codes. Each is tailored to the specific institution requesting you to prove your status.

The 3 options include:

  • Employer: Used to check the right to work by a hiring employer via the check-a-job-applicant service.

  • Landlord: Used to check the right to rent (for tenancies in England) by a landlord or letting agent via the landlord checking service.

  • Other: Applicable for other organisations, such as banks, the NHS, and universities.

Step 4: Generate your 9-character share code

After selecting the right purpose for the share code, you can proceed to generate one.

The system will generate a unique 9-character share code, which will be valid for 90 days from generation.

Step 5: Share the code with the third party

Third parties will require the share code as your proof of settled status. They usually also need a date of birth alongside the code.

You can share the code via email, in person, or by filling out a form. When the third party enters the code on the checking service, they only see what’s relevant to them (e.g., right to work outcome) and not your immigration history.

What documents can be used as proof of settled status?

Depending on the scenario and the requesting authority, the following documents can support your proof of settled status.

1. The UKVI share code as primary proof

The share code you generate on the UKVI view-and-prove service is typically your primary proof of settled status.

It is the only proof that the Home Office systems back directly, as any requesting third-party in the UK can directly check its validity on the relevant checking/matching service.

2. Proof of residence documents

When processing long-term residence claims, applying for benefits, or looking to upgrade your pre-settled status, you can use the following proof of address documents to “strengthen” the share code:

  • Tenancy agreements

  • Mortgage statements

  • Council letters

  • Utility bills

3. HMRC Residence letters and tax evidence

When navigating tax or international financial transactions that require you to prove residency, you can use the HMRC letter of confirmation of residence.

The letter confirms your UK residency for tax purposes. As a general rule, you become a UK tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in the country in a tax year.

4. Apostilled documents for overseas use

Your use of the share code as proof of settled status may be limited internationally, as many overseas institutions cannot verify it directly on the UKVI website.

As such, you’ll need a printed and notarised document. The document must also be legalised for international use, which requires getting an FCDO-issued apostille certificate.

At London Apostille Services Ltd., we can help you legalise your proof of status and other UK documents you intend to use abroad.

Our service includes:

  • Connecting you with FCDO-registered solicitors and notaries where required

  • Reviewing and preparing your documents to ensure they’re apostille-ready

  • Submitting your document to the FCDO for an apostille

  • Collecting the apostilled document from the FCDO and arranging secure courier delivery back to you

Request a custom quotation by telling us which documents you have and where they’re going.

Common problems when accessing proof of settled status

Even though the UKVI system streamlines the process for accessing your proof of settled status, you may encounter some problems due to data discrepancies or border issues.

Here are the common challenges:

  • Lost account access: You may lose account access if you forget your login details or change your phone or email address. Consider updating your details in your UKVI account if you’re using a different email or phone. You may also escalate the issue to the UKVI Resolution Centre.

  • Pre-settled status nearing expiry: A nearing expiry date may cause you to panic. However, pre-settled status is currently being automatically extended by the Home Office in many cases. Still, consider applying for settled status once eligible after 5 years of continuous residence.

  • Status not showing online: Your status may not show in the online service. Possible causes for this error include unliked BRC or mismatched identity documents. The best way to address the issue is to escalate it to the UKVI Resolution Centre.

  • Carrier or border force not recognising eVisa: A carrier or border force may be unable to verify the eVisa against your passport. A common cause of the problem is a recently renewed passport that is not linked to the UKVI account. You should update your details if you renew your passport. You can also call the UKVI Resolution Centre if you encounter this problem while at the gate/border.

Person locked out of UKVI account after changing phone or email

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Below are quick answers to the most common questions people ask about proving settled status in the UK.

A share code remains valid for 90 days after its generation and cannot be used after it expires. Also, since it is purpose-specific, you cannot use a code created for employment checks for rent checks.

No, a family member cannot use your settled status share code as it is tied to you only. Each person with settled status has their own UKVI account and must generate their own codes.

No, a screenshot is not enough to prove your settled status. The requesting third party will need a code to verify the status live against the view-and-prove system.

Both allow a person to reside in the UK indefinitely. While the indefinite leave to remain has a broader application, settled status mainly applies to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens (and their family members) who were living in the country before the Brexit transition deadline.