New to the UK > How to prove your right to live in the UK

How to prove your right to live in the UK

Wollit Team3 minute read · Updated 11th August 2024

Proving your right to live in the UK – also called your “right to reside”or “right to abode” – is very important if you want to get a job, rent a flat, or even get a loan or mortgage. Here is how to do it.

What does "right to reside" mean?

The "right to reside" means you have the legal permission to live in the UK. Here are the main groups of people who have this right:

British citizens automatically have the right to live in the UK, as you can imagine;
Irish citizens;
EU citizens through the EU Settlement Scheme;
People with Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) or Remain (ILR);
And a few other exemptions, like heads of state or diplomatic staff.

You can easily check your immigration status by logging into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

How do I prove my right to stay in the UK?

To prove your right to live in the UK, you usually need to show some documents.

First, create a UKVI account: if you applied for the EU Settlement Scheme or a visa, you should already have one.

Next, get a share code: a share code is a special code you give to employers, lenders, or landlords to check your immigration status online. This code lets them check your status. You can get it from your UKVI account. A share code is valid for 30 days. If it expires, you need to create a new one.

What if I can’t get a UKVI share code?

If you can’t get a share code online, you may need to show your passport, biometric residence permit, or other identity documents. These documents vary depending on whether you are a British citizen, an EU national, or a non-EU national.

If you are a British citizen, you can prove your right to reside using the following documents:

British passport – even an expired one;
Certificate of Naturalisation: a document that confirms your status as a British citizen.
British Citizenship Ceremony Registration Certificate: this is a document that proves your citizenship obtained through a ceremony.

For EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens, besides a UKVI share code, you can also use:

A Permanent Residence Card: this is a card that confirms your right of permanent residence in the UK.
Or other documents showing you were living in the UK before December 31, 2020, such as: utility bills, bank statements, or official letters from HMRC or your employer.

Finally, if you are a non-EU national, you can use these other documents instead of a UKVI share code:

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). These show your indefinite leave status.
Visa: you might have one stamped in your passport.
If you have humanitarian protection status, you can provide a Home Office letter confirming your status.
And if you are a family member of someone from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you may also be able to simply prove your relationship – for example, through a birth or marriage certificate.

On top of these documents, if you’re claiming residency based on employment or self-employment, you may also need to provide:

Current payslips.
A letter from your employer confirming your employment status.
Or a letter from your accountant alongside your recent tax returns or an SA302 form if you’re self-employed.

When do I need to prove my right to live in the UK?

Proving your right to live in the UK comes in handy in many situations. Here are some of them:

When you apply for a job;
When you rent a flat or house;
When you apply for a mobile phone contract;
When you open a new utility account;
And when you apply to get a credit card, loan, or mortgage.

However, you need to understand that your proving right to live in the UK is only a small part of the credit application process. Lenders will look at your residency status and also income and credit score when you apply for a mortgage. They need to know if you can afford to pay back your debt, and that you’re a reliable borrower. This is why it’s so important to work on your credit history.

Luckily, now there are many apps that can help you build and improve credit.

One such app is Wollit. Wollit is an app available both on Android and iOS, and it works by reporting a fixed-fee monthly subscription as a loan repayment to all three credit reference agencies. This helps you build your credit history and directly influences your credit score.

On top of this, Wollit can also report your monthly rent payment to Experian. This can add another line in your credit report that shows lenders that you’re reliable and pay your bills on time, helping you make the most of your rent while you prepare to get a mortgage and become a homeowner.