Referral Guide

How Star Citizen Referral Codes Work

Last updated April 2026. Everything you need to know about redeeming a referral code, the 5,000 UEC bonus, and how the program differs from recruitment rewards.

What is a referral code?

A Star Citizen referral code is a unique identifier issued to every backer by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG). When a new player enters a referral code during account creation, both parties benefit: the new player gets a 5,000 UEC in-game currency bonus, and the referrer earns points toward milestone rewards like exclusive ship skins and titles.

Step-by-step: redeeming the bonus

1. Go to robertsspaceindustries.com/enlist - this is the official signup page run by CIG.
2. Fill in your email, handle, and password.
3. In the Referral Code field, paste STAR-RCJM-R2X5 (or any valid code).
4. Complete the signup flow and verify your email.
5. Purchase any game package (starter ships begin around USD $45).
6. The 5,000 UEC is credited to your account automatically and can be spent at in-game kiosks on gear, ammo, ship components, or rentals.

What is UEC?

UEC stands for United Earth Credits, the persistent in-game currency. It is not the same as aUEC (alpha UEC), which is reset between patches. Referral UEC is the permanent kind - 5,000 UEC is roughly enough to kit out a starter loadout with armour and a sidearm, or cover several ship rentals at a landing zone.

Can I use a referral code on an existing account?

No. Referral codes can only be applied during initial account creation. If you forgot to enter one when you signed up, CIG does not retroactively apply bonuses. This is why it's worth having a code ready before you register.

Do referral codes expire?

Individual codes don't expire, but CIG occasionally runs Referral Bonus events (typically around major convention announcements like CitizenCon or the Invictus Launch Week) where new enlistees receive extra items on top of the standard 5,000 UEC. Check back before signup in case a bonus event is active.

What do referrers get?

Referrers accumulate points on the Referral Program rewards ladder. Milestone rewards have historically included exclusive ship liveries, custom flair items, and unique titles. CIG refreshes the reward tiers periodically. Referrers don't receive UEC - the bonus is one-way to the new player.

Referral code vs recruitment program

These are two different systems, and it's a common source of confusion:

• Referral Program - the code system described above. Applied at signup, gives 5,000 UEC, tied to CIG's backer rewards ladder.
• Guide System / Recruitment - an in-game mentorship program where experienced players ("Guides") help new players ("Recruits") through early tutorials. This is separate from the referral code and is joined via the Guide System tab on the RSI website.

You can participate in both: enter a referral code at signup for the UEC, then join the Guide System after you're in-game for mentorship. For more detail see our referral vs recruitment guide.

Are referral codes safe?

Yes - referral codes are entered directly on the official RSI website. They do not give the referrer any access to your account, payment details, or email. The only information shared is a bump on the referrer's rewards counter.

Ready to enlist?

If you've read this far, you're ready. Grab the code below and start your journey into one of the most ambitious games ever made.