A new passport can feel like a simple admin job. You collect the document, put the old one away and get on with your plans. The trouble starts when your new details do not match the information held in your UKVI account.
Many people only notice the mismatch when an employer, landlord or another organisation asks for proof. Before you look up immigration status, take a minute to compare the name, passport number and other personal details shown in your UKVI account with your current documents. A share code is generated from the digital record, so it makes sense to correct the record before handing the code to someone else.
Check the record before generating a code
Start with your UKVI account and view your eVisa. Your eVisa contains your identity information and immigration status, so small errors are worth dealing with before you share anything. GOV.UK says you should update your account if you have changed your passport or travel document, name, mobile number, email address or address.
Consider a simple example. You changed your surname after marriage, then renewed your passport six months later. Your new passport says “Ayesha Khan”, but the UKVI record still shows “Ayesha Malik”. The immigration permission itself may be unchanged, yet the mismatch can create an avoidable problem when your details are checked.
Do not assume that getting a fresh share code will fix the issue. A new code gives the recipient access to information from your existing record. If the underlying details are wrong, you can simply end up sharing the same outdated information again.
Update your name or passport details first
For a changed passport, update the passport or travel document information in your UKVI account. This helps keep the record aligned with the document you will use for travel and can also reduce problems when your status needs to be checked. GOV.UK advises keeping these details current for both eVisa access and travel.
A name change should be treated in the same way. Update the name in the account before generating a new code. GOV.UK specifically advises people who have changed their name or nationality to update their details before getting a share code.
If your name changed because of marriage, divorce, deed poll or another legal process, keep the document that explains the change with your records. You may not need to send it every time you prove your status, but having it available can make it easier to resolve a mismatch if another organisation queries the difference.
The same principle applies after receiving a replacement passport. Do not rely on the fact that your old passport was previously linked to your immigration record. Your current travel document should be reflected in the account you use to access your eVisa. This is also a useful check before booking international travel.
There is one timing point to keep in mind. You cannot change your name or passport details through the usual UKVI account process while you are waiting for a visa application decision. In that situation, the correct route can depend on the application you have submitted, so avoid making changes that could conflict with an active application.
Check the new details after saving
After making an update, sign back in and look at the eVisa rather than assuming the change has appeared everywhere. Check your name, date of birth, nationality and passport information carefully, especially if you are preparing to travel or provide evidence to an organisation. If the eVisa itself contains an error or you cannot generate a share code, GOV.UK provides a separate error reporting process.
Then generate the share code for the correct purpose. Share codes are purpose specific, so a code created for an employer is not the same as one intended for a landlord or another type of check. GOV.UK also states that a share code is valid for 90 days, and you can create a new one when needed.
This matters in a practical way. Imagine you have updated your passport on Monday and your employer asks for a right to work check on Tuesday. Giving them a code generated before the update can leave everyone looking at information that does not reflect your current documents. Generate the code after the record has been checked.
Conclusion
Keeping your UKVI record current is a small administrative task, but it can prevent awkward delays later. A changed name or renewed passport is a good reason to review your details before sharing a code, particularly before travel, starting a new job or moving home. Take a few minutes to check the digital record against your current passport, correct anything that is out of date, and only then generate the code you need.
