FAQ

I have (pre-)settled status and want to take out a mortgage or account with a bank or building society  in the UK. The mortgage/account provider is asking me for proof of immigration status and/or a share code. What do I need to do?

If you are an EEA/Swiss citizen your (pre-)settled status is a digital-only status, which is now often referred to as an eVisa. If you are a family member with status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), you will have an eVisa alongside your biometric residence card (although this card has likely expired by 31 December 2024 so in future you will have to rely on your eVisa). If you have an immigration status which is not related to the EUSS, please see this FAQ which also explains how to get a UKVI account to access your eVisa, if you don't already have a UKVI account.

To use your eVisa to prove immigration status, you will need to generate a ‘share code’.
Firstly, you will need to sign into the View and Prove service - see this FAQ "I have applied for (pre-)settled status and want to see my status online. How do I do this?" if you need more details.

Once you are logged in and can see your status, scroll down click ‘prove your status’.

You will then need to choose the reason why you are sharing your information. Choose “something else”.

You will be presented with a share code, which should start with an 'S', which will be valid for 90 days.

You will need to provide the share code, along with your date of birth, to the bank or building society. They will then be able to check your status via https://www.gov.uk/check-immigration-status.

This share code will not work for a right to work check (see our FAQ employer is asking me for proof of immigration status and/or a share code) or a right to rent check: (see our FAQ landlord is asking me for proof of immigration status and/or a share code).

See the Government’s guidance document for full details at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/view-and-prove-your-immigration-status-evisa

If you have any problems, see this FAQ I have generated a share code, but the organisation checking it says it does not work. Where can I get support?

Important: we hear of about a lot of cases where banks and financial providers are not accepting share codes or eVisas, to prove identity or immigration status. If this happens to you, please point out this Government guidance to them: Residence documents: information for financial providers. This guidance states clearly that eVisas are a way of providing proof of both identity and immigration status.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly by your bank or building society, complain to the Financial Ombudsman https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/how-to-complain, and report it to us at https://the3million.org.uk/report-it.