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

For those moving to or already living in the UK, proving your right to reside in the country is important.

The UK government is moving towards a digital immigration system for proving immigration status, meaning many people now rely on an eVisa as opposed to physical documents. This guide outlines when you might be asked for proof, how to demonstrate your immigration status, and the support available should you require legal guidance from immigration solicitors.

When You Will Need to Prove Your Immigration Status

You may be required to prove your immigration status in various situations, including:

• Employment: employers must check a person’s right to work before hiring them.
• Renting a property: landlords are legally required to verify a tenant’s right to rent in the UK.
• Accessing benefits and public services: some migrants may qualify for public funds.
• Travelling in and out of the UK: border officers will check your immigration status upon arrival to the UK.
• Applying for a mortgage or loan: financial institutions may require proof of lawful residence.
• Enrolling in education: universities and colleges must confirm a student’s right to study in the UK.

Ensuring you’re able to evidence your immigration status will help avoid delays or difficulties.

What Proof Must You Use?

As noted above, the UK government is moving towards a digital immigration system. Most individuals must now use a digital eVisa, which is stored online and accessed through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website, in order to evidence their immigration status.

However, some people may still hold physical documents, such as:

• Expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)
• Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)
• Visa vignettes (stickers in passports), which continue to be issued to some individuals applying for UK entry clearance

If a physical document is held, you should create a UKVI account in order to access your eVisa as soon as possible. Failure to hold an eVisa could cause delays when travelling, and could mean you’re unable to evidence your right to work and/or rent in the UK.

How to Prove Your Immigration Status

If you’re simply evidencing your identity (not for employment, renting property or travelling), some organisations may simply require a screenshot of your eVisa or UKVI decision letter to prove your immigration status. However, in order to demonstrate your right to work, rent or travel, an eVisa and UKVI account are mandatory.

Once a UKVI account and eVisa are held, you can prove your immigration status through the UKVI online system by following these steps:

1. Visit the ‘View and Prove Your Immigration Status’ service on the UK Visas and Immigration government website.
2. Log in to your UKVI account using your identity document number and date of birth. You will also need to send a security code to the mobile phone connected to your UKVI account.
3. Generate a share code, which allows employers, landlords, or other authorised organisations to check your status.
4. Provide the share code along with your date of birth to the relevant organisation.
5. The recipient can verify your status online

It is important to keep your UKVI account details secure and ensure they are up to date to avoid any issues when proving your status.

Tips for Proving Your Immigration Status

Update Your Information

Ensure your UKVI account reflects your current details, including:

• Your passport number (especially if you renew your passport) - the passport you use to travel must be connected to your UKVI account.
• Your contact details, such as email address and phone number.

If your immigration status changes, your UKVI account should be automatically updated to reflect your new status.

Follow the Conditions of Your Visa

Depending on the immigration status held, you will be subject to various visa conditions. To avoid complications:

• Comply with work or study restrictions: if your visa has specific conditions, such as a limit on working hours, ensure you adhere to them.
• Apply for extensions or changes in good time: if you plan to stay in the UK beyond your visa expiry date, submit an in-time application prior to the expiry of your existing visa.

Failure to comply with visa conditions could impact your ability to remain in the UK and make future applications more difficult.

When You Might Need Legal Assistance

In some cases, you may require legal assistance to resolve immigration status issues. Seeking professional advice can help if:

• You have been refused access to employment, housing, or public services due to immigration status concerns.
• You need to switch from a physical document (such as a BRP) to an eVisa but encounter difficulties.
• There are discrepancies or errors in your UKVI account that prevent you from proving your status.
• You have been wrongly informed that you do not have the right to remain in the UK.
• You need assistance with a visa extension, settlement application, or other immigration matters.

Proving your immigration status should be a straightforward process, but if you experience challenges, legal support can ensure your rights are protected and any issues are resolved efficiently.