How to Prove Your Right to Work in the UK and Ireland

If you’ve just accepted a job in the UK or Ireland, there’s one thing you cannot skip: proving you have the legal right to work. The UK now relies on a digital share code system, while Ireland still depends heavily on physical permits and passports for most non-EU nationals.

UK Primary Proof Method: Online share code via GOV.UK ·
Ireland Requirement for Non-EEA: Employment Permit or Atypical Permission ·
UK Employer Check: Before starting work ·
Share Code Access: view-immigration-status.service.gov.uk ·
Irish Passport Proof for EEA: Copy of passport

These figures come from official government and authoritative HR compliance sources.

What documents are proof of right to work in Ireland?

Ireland operates a two-track system based on nationality. Understanding which track applies to you determines which documents you need to present to an employer.

EEA and Swiss nationals

If you hold citizenship from any EEA country (including the UK post-Brexit for certain arrangements) or Switzerland, you generally only need to provide a passport or national identity card to prove your right to work in Ireland. A clear copy of the relevant passport page is typically sufficient for Irish employers. There is no requirement to register with immigration authorities or obtain separate work authorization for EEA nationals under current arrangements.

Non-EEA requirements

Non-EEA nationals face a different process entirely. You must hold a valid Employment Permit before starting work in Ireland — this is a legal requirement under the Employment Permits Act. According to the Irish Government’s guidance for employers, an Employment Permit is mandatory for most non-EEA nationals seeking employment in the State.

In limited circumstances, individuals may instead hold an Atypical Working Scheme permission for short-term or specific-role employment. Irish employers should verify the permit type matches the role being offered before any employment commences.

How do I get proof of my right to work in the UK?

The UK moved decisively toward digital immigration status verification, meaning most people prove their right to work online rather than with physical documents. The specific route depends on your nationality and immigration status.

Online share code process

If you need to prove your UK right to work digitally, you generate a share code through the GOV.UK online service. This code is a unique 9-character alphanumeric string that you create yourself — employers cannot generate it on your behalf. The GOV.UK guidance confirms that individuals must create their own share codes, which remain valid for 90 days from generation.

To generate a share code, you need access to your UKVI account and your date of birth. The system will display your immigration status, including work types permitted, duration of stay, and any restrictions. You then share this code with your employer, who enters it alongside your date of birth into the official employer verification portal.

Alternative documents

Not everyone needs a share code. British and Irish citizens can simply present their passport — no share code required. The Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland means Irish citizens have free work access without immigration checks in Britain. Similarly, British citizens exercising free movement under Irish law can use their British passport for verification.

Those with physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) or Biometric Residence Cards (BRC) can still present these documents directly to employers if preferred. GOV.UK guidance clarifies that employers cannot reject eligible immigration documents simply because a share code is available — both routes carry legal weight.

What is a share code to work in the UK?

A UK right to work share code is a digital credential that bridges the gap between your immigration status and your employer’s legal obligation to verify it. Think of it as a temporary, purpose-specific proof of your right to work.

How to generate it

You generate the share code yourself through the view-immigration-status.service.gov.uk portal. No intermediary, no employer involvement at this stage. The process requires you to log into your UKVI account and follow the prompts to create a share code. Each code is valid for 90 days and cannot be reused for different verification purposes — a right to work share code does not substitute for a right to rent check, for example.

What employer needs

When you give your share code to a prospective employer, they need two pieces of information: the share code itself and your date of birth. With both, they access the ‘View a job applicant’s right to work’ service on GOV.UK and enter these details. The system returns a result confirming or denying your right to work, along with details about permitted work types and any restrictions.

Citizens Advice guidance confirms this online check is the primary verification method for digital immigration status holders. Employers must complete this check before the employee starts work — it cannot be done retroactively.

“Each code is valid for 90 days and only individuals, not employers, can create them.”

— UKVI Guidance Summary, via Official UKVI Tutorial

“Irish citizens can work in the UK without immigration checks under the Common Travel Area arrangement.”

— GOV.UK Official Guidance

Employers should treat share codes as time-sensitive credentials and initiate verification immediately upon receiving them.

How do you get the right to work in Ireland?

Getting the right to work in Ireland follows different logic depending on where you’re coming from. The rules are stricter for non-EEA nationals, who need government-issued authorization before employment can legally begin.

Visa and permit steps

For non-EEA nationals, securing employment in Ireland requires obtaining an Employment Permit before starting work. The Irish Government’s Employers Guide to Employment Permits outlines the process: the employer typically applies for the permit on behalf of the prospective employee, and the permit must match the specific role and employer named in the application.

There are several permit types, including Critical Skills Employment Permits for highly qualified professionals in shortage occupations, and General Employment Permits for other roles meeting specific criteria. Changing employers typically requires a new permit application.

EEA exemptions

EEA nationals — and Swiss citizens — face no such permit requirement. They can take up employment in Ireland simply by being present and willing to work. No advance application, no sponsorship, no permit. Irish employers verify their right to work by checking a passport or national identity card.

The asymmetry matters practically: an Irish employer hiring a German national needs only to see a passport. The same employer hiring a Filipino nurse needs to verify the Employment Permit first. Post-Brexit, UK nationals fall into the EEA-equivalent category for most Irish employment scenarios under the Common Travel Area arrangements.

How to show proof of work in the UK?

Showing proof of work in the UK means demonstrating your legal authorization to work to a prospective or current employer. The accepted methods vary based on your immigration status.

Digital vs physical proof

Digital proof of work in the UK centers on the share code system. If you have UK digital immigration status — held by EU Settlement Scheme beneficiaries, Skilled Worker visa holders, Graduate visa holders, and others — you generate a share code and provide it to your employer along with your date of birth. The employer runs the online check and receives a confirmation.

Physical proof remains valid for those with eligible documents. A valid British or Irish passport serves as standalone proof for British and Irish citizens respectively. A Biometric Residence Permit or Card can also be presented physically rather than digitally. Even an expired British or Irish passport may be accepted in some circumstances, though current validity is the standard requirement.

Employer verification

UK employers must conduct right to work checks before employment begins — this is a legal obligation, not an optional step. The GOV.UK guidance for employers is clear: they must verify your right to work using the appropriate method for your status, retain records of the check, and cannot employ someone without completing verification.

The verification service at gov.uk/view-right-to-work provides employers with a clear “yes” or “no” answer along with any work restrictions. Employers who fail to conduct these checks face civil penalties. The check covers work types allowed, duration of stay remaining, and any conditions attached to the immigration status.

Related reading: UK Right to Work Share Code

UK employers rely on the GOV.UK share code for quick verification, with full steps outlined in this share code guide that mirrors official procedures.

Frequently asked questions

These common questions address practical scenarios employees and employers encounter when navigating right to work verification in both jurisdictions.

For any uncertainty about your immigration status, contacting the appropriate authority before starting employment protects both you and your prospective employer from legal complications.