Your identifier in the UK

A National Insurance (NI) number is your unique and personalised number - a bit like your tax department number.  It is a really important number and you must apply for one as soon as you are working.  It is used for the following purposes:

• To record your NI contributions (to the NHS and Pension service)
• To prove your eligibility to claim social security benefits
• To track your tax records

To apply for an NI number you need to get an interview with the Department of Work & Pensions.  It can take up to six weeks to get an interview so we recommend sorting this out before you arrive.  Our Get Set package takes care of this for you.

To find out more information on our Get Set pacakge, click here.

You will be assigned a temporary number until you are issued with a formal number.  A temporary NI number will follow this given format: e.g. for a female born on 1 September 1980: TN 010980 F.  If you begin work on a temporary NI number, you will be charged a ‘base rate’ of tax that usually runs at around 35%.  This can be claimed back as soon as you have your own NI number.

How do I apply?

If you don't use our Get Set pacakge service then log-on to http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk to find your nearest Department of Work & Pensions office (better known as a Job Centre) and follow the steps.

The interview and what you will need

The interview will entail a process of checks to confirm that you are who you say you are and that you are eligible to work in the UK.  You need to bring evidence of your identity.  We suggest the following where applicable:

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Driver’s licence
• Marriage certificate

Documents to do with employment, if you have them, such as:

• Pay-slips
• Home Office documents
• A letter from your current employer
• Your contract of employment
• Details of any employment agencies you are registered with

Photocopies will NOT be accepted – you must bring the original documents with you.

If you have recently arrived in the UK after living outside of Europe, you should bring your travel documents with you.

What happens after the interview?

You will receive a NI number shortly after the interview.  A NI card will be sent to you a later stage (it looks like a credit card).

To speak with one of our experienced UK consultants, please contact us on uk@globalcareerlink.com.