Free resources

Immigration status

Immigration Status, Visas and eVisas in the UK

Plain-English guide to common UK immigration routes, online status, share codes, expiry dates, public funds warnings, and free advice routes.

Plain-English summary

Your immigration status affects work, renting, study, benefits, travel, NHS charging, settlement, and citizenship. Treat GOV.UK and regulated advice as the source of truth, and keep your status evidence, expiry dates, and share-code access organised.

Best for: New arrivals, visa holders, settled status holders, BNO visa holders, refugees, asylum seekers, and family members.

What this guide covers

Visitor, student, skilled worker, family visa, refugee/asylum, EU Settlement Scheme, BNO, ILR, and citizenship routes
How to access an eVisa and prove online immigration status
Share codes for right to work and right to rent checks
Work, study, public funds, dependant, travel, and expiry conditions
Visa expiry reminders and when to plan renewal, ILR, or citizenship
No Recourse to Public Funds and when to seek advice
Free advice directories: Citizens Advice, Advicenow, law centres, refugee charities, and regulated advisers

Start with your route and conditions

A UK visa or status is not just a label. It normally comes with conditions, dates, and evidence rules. Read the grant letter, online status record, or Home Office account carefully.

  • Check whether work is allowed, restricted, or not allowed.
  • Check whether study is allowed and whether there are course limits.
  • Check whether the status says No Recourse to Public Funds.
  • Check whether dependants have separate conditions.
  • Check the expiry date and the date you became eligible for settlement.
Important warning
Immigration conditions are high risk. If a benefit claim, job change, absence, relationship change, or document issue could affect your status, get qualified advice before acting.

Use online status and share codes safely

Many people prove status through a UKVI online account. Employers, landlords, and some agencies may ask for a share code rather than a paper document.

  • Keep access to the email address and phone number linked to your UKVI account.
  • Generate the correct share code for right to work, right to rent, or other checks.
  • Update passport or BRP details in your account when needed.
  • Save screenshots or notes of errors, but rely on the live official record.

Plan before expiry

Do not wait until the final week. Some routes require English, Life in the UK, salary evidence, relationship evidence, employer action, or legal advice before you can apply.

  • Six months before expiry: review route and evidence.
  • Three months before expiry: check fees, documents, English, and Life in the UK requirements.
  • One month before expiry: confirm forms, biometrics, and advice if anything is unusual.
  • After applying: keep proof of application and understand any section 3C leave issues if relevant.

Checklist

Use this as a practical planning list, then confirm official rules for your status and local area.

  1. 1Find your status grant email, BRP, passport, eVisa account, and Home Office reference numbers.
  2. 2Record your status type, start date, expiry date, and conditions.
  3. 3Check if your status says No Recourse to Public Funds.
  4. 4Create a reminder 6 months, 3 months, and 1 month before expiry.
  5. 5Save trusted advice links and local advice services before a crisis happens.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming all visas allow the same work or benefits.
  • Letting the eVisa account use an old phone number or email address.
  • Waiting until the expiry week to check renewal requirements.
  • Using unregulated paid advisers without checking authorisation.

Trusted starting points

Use official and established advice sources before relying on social media, forums, or paid services.

Visas and immigration

GOV.UK

Official hub for visit, work, study, family, settlement, asylum, ETA, and eVisa topics.

Immigration advice

Citizens Advice

Independent guidance on immigration status, eVisas, public funds, asylum, and citizenship.

Immigration and asylum guides

Advicenow

Plain-English legal information and step-by-step guides.

Related guides

Work and employment

Prove right to work

How right to work checks and share codes work, what employers should check, and when to get advice before changing jobs.

Housing and renting

Prove right to rent

How right to rent checks and share codes work, what renters should prepare, and how to avoid housing scams.

Benefits and support

Public funds and NRPF

Plain-English guide to public funds, NRPF, benefits, housing support, refugee and asylum support, hardship options, the Habitual Residence Test, and charity grants.

Immigration status

Free immigration advice

Where to start with Citizens Advice, Advicenow, law centres, regulated immigration advisers, refugee charities, and specialist support services.