A Guide To Proving Your Immigration Status In The UK

Knowing how to prove your immigration status is crucial whenever you are applying for a job, renting a property, or coming back to the UK from a trip. This ensures that the authorities can keep track of your status and purpose in the UK. 

This article from Pacific Prime UK will walk you through the different immigration statuses, how to access and share them, what to do if problems pop up, and how this is relevant to expat health insurance.

The Different Immigration Status Types

Understanding your UK immigration status is crucial, as it determines your rights and the documentation you’ll need in various situations. Each status has distinct eligibility criteria and associated documentation.

Here are some common types of immigration status:

• Settled Status: Granted to individuals who have lived in the UK continuously for five years under the EU Settlement Scheme, allowing indefinite residence.
• Pre-settled Status: For those in the UK for less than five years under the EU Settlement Scheme, providing temporary residency and work rights, with the option to apply for settled status after five years.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Grants permanent residency to individuals meeting specific residency requirements, such as long-term residence on certain work visas. ILR holders may be eligible to naturalize as British citizens.
• Limited Leave to Remain: Issued for a specific period, this status applies to individuals in the UK for work (e.g., Skilled Worker visa), study, family relationships, or other reasons. It requires regular renewals, with some routes leading to ILR after a set time.

The Necessary Documents to Prove Immigration Status

The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system, replacing physical documents with online records known as eVisas. These internet-based documentation systems provide expatriates with the convenience to simply submit and verify their status from the comfort of their homes. Here’s what you need to know:

• eVisa (Digital Immigration Status): An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You can access and share your eVisa through your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
• Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs): These physical documents are being phased out and will no longer be valid after December 31, 2024. Holders should transition to eVisas by creating a UKVI account to access their digital status.
• Transition Timeline: The UK government aims to have all migrants using the digital eVisa system by January 1, 2025. Physical documents like BRPs and BRCs will cease to be valid after this date.
• Accessing Your eVisa: To access your eVisa, you need to create a UKVI account. Once set up, you can view and share your immigration status online as needed.
• Benefits of eVisas: Digital statuses are more secure and cannot be lost or tampered with, streamlining verification processes for employers, landlords, and other stakeholders.

How to Prove Your Immigration Status Online

As the UK shifts towards digital immigration records, most individuals now need to access, view, and share their immigration status online. This process ensures secure, convenient, and efficient verification for various purposes, such as employment, renting property, or accessing services. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

1. Accessing Your Digital Immigration Status

To prove your immigration status, you need to log in to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. This requires creating an account if you don’t already have one and linking it to your immigration details. Once set up, your digital status will be accessible at any time.

• Visit the official View and Prove Your Immigration Status page.
• Log in using personal details, such as your date of birth and travel document or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) number.
• First-time users may need to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to confirm their identity and link their eVisa to their account.

1. Viewing Your Immigration Status

After logging in, you can view your immigration status, including the type of permission you hold and any associated restrictions or expiry dates. This information is vital for ensuring compliance with your visa conditions and for sharing when required.

• Check the type of permission granted, such as work, study, or settlement.
• Review any restrictions or expiry dates linked to your immigration status.
• Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date; report any discrepancies to UKVI.

1. Sharing Your Immigration Status

Sharing your digital status is straightforward and involves generating a temporary share code that third parties can use to verify your details.

• Log into your UKVI account and select the option to generate a share code.
• Share the code and your date of birth with the requesting party (e.g., employer or landlord).
• Codes are valid for 90 days and can be reissued as needed.

1. Troubleshooting Common Issue

If you encounter issues with accessing your account or sharing your status, support is available to resolve these problems promptly.

• Reset forgotten login credentials using the recovery options on the UKVI portal.
• Contact the UKVI helpline for technical issues or questions about your status. Visit the official UKVI contact page for more details.

Understanding Situations Requiring Proof of Immigration Status

In the UK, you may need to prove your immigration status in several key situations. Knowing what is required and having the necessary documentation or digital proof ready can save time and avoid unnecessary delays.

Listed below are some situations that require proof of immigration status: 

• Employment and Right to Work Checks: Non-British or Irish nationals typically need to provide a share code for a Right to Work check. 
• Renting Property: Under the Right to Rent scheme, landlords or letting agents require proof of your right to live in the UK.
• Healthcare Access: Healthcare providers may request proof of immigration status to confirm eligibility for free NHS services.
• Re-entering the UK After Travel: From January 1, 2025, you’ll need to present your digital immigration status when returning to the UK.

Conclusion

Proving your immigration status is a critical part of navigating life in the UK, whether you’re applying for jobs, securing accommodation, accessing healthcare, or re-entering the country after traveling. As the UK transitions to a fully digital immigration system, understanding how to access, view, and share your status has never been more important.

However, settling into a new country involves more than just managing immigration status. Ensuring you have adequate expat health insurance coverage is just as important to safeguard your well-being and access quality healthcare services. 

At Pacific Prime UK, we offer tailored health insurance solutions designed to meet the unique needs of expats and individuals in the UK. Our team of experts can guide you in choosing the right plan that provides comprehensive coverage, including private healthcare access.

Contact us or compare quotes today. 

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Piyanat Jantharot

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