International student support

National Insurance Number

A National Insurance (NIN) Number is a personal number which is used to record your National Insurance contributions. You can only apply for a National Insurance Number once you have arrived in the UK:

• your visa gives you the right to work in the UK, and

• you’re planning to work in the UK. 

To apply:

• Read through the eligibility criteria and apply online

• You will be asked to prove your identity as part of the application process. You will receive an email after you apply telling you how to do this. You may be asked to post photocopies of your documents or to attend an appointment.

Please note: It can take up to 16 weeks, after you prove your identity, to receive your National Insurance Number.  You can start work however before you receive the National Insurance number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK.  You can see information on the work conditions for Student and Tier 4 Visa holders discussed in the section above.

There is no charge to apply for / obtain a National Insurance Number.  For full details on the application process, please see the gov.uk webpages