Dhiraj Kandel
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After arriving in the UK, you may start looking for part-time jobs in the UK at cafés, supermarkets, care homes or on campus. An employer may ask for your National Insurance number, but not having one does not automatically stop you from starting work.
A National Insurance number records your employment, tax and National Insurance contributions. It does not permit you to work. You can begin working while waiting for it when your Student visa permits the job, and your employer has confirmed your right to work.
This guide explains what a National Insurance number is, who can apply, how to apply and what to tell an employer while your application is being processed. It also clarifies how an NI number differs from an eVisa, Student visa work conditions and a right-to-work share code.
A National Insurance number is a unique personal reference used by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It usually contains two letters, six numbers, and a final letter, for example, AB 12 34 56 C.
The number helps the UK authorities connect your employment, earnings, tax and National Insurance contributions to the correct personal record. Employers request it so they can report your pay accurately through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
Once issued, your National Insurance number normally remains the same for life, even if you change your employer, address, university or course. Treat it as sensitive personal information. Share it only with your employer, HMRC, DWP or another trusted organisation that has a genuine reason to request it. Never post it publicly or give it to an unofficial agent.
You do not need a National Insurance number simply to enrol at a UK university or continue your studies. However, if you plan to take paid employment and do not already have one, you should apply so your earnings, tax and National Insurance contributions can be recorded correctly.
Before applying, check whether you have already been issued a number. It may appear:
A National Insurance number normally remains the same for life. Do not apply again if you already have one, even if you have changed your address, university, course or employer.
Yes. You can start working before your National Insurance number arrives if your immigration status permits the job and your employer has completed the required right-to-work check. GOV.UK confirms that you can begin work while waiting for your number if you can prove your right to work in the UK.
It is important to separate three different requirements:
A newly arrived student will not normally have a UK P45. In this situation, the employer may ask the student to complete HMRC’s Starter Checklist so it can set up payroll and determine the correct tax treatment. The checklist is used for payroll purposes and does not replace the right-to-work check.
No. A National Insurance number does not prove that you are allowed to work in the UK. It is used for employment, tax and National Insurance records, not as evidence of your immigration permission.
Most Nepali students with an eVisa will prove their right to work by generating a share code through their UKVI account. Give the share code and your date of birth to the employer, who must check them using the official GOV. UK service before you start work. In some circumstances, eligible immigration documents may be used instead.
| Document or Check | Main Purpose | Role in Starting Work |
| National Insurance number | Connects your payroll, tax and contribution records | Does not prove your right to work |
| Student visa or immigration status | Shows your immigration status and work conditions | Determines whether the proposed work is permitted |
| Right-to-work share code | Lets an employer access your official immigration record | Helps the employer verify your existing permission |
| Employment contract | Records the agreed terms of the job | Does not override your immigration conditions |
A share code does not create permission to work. It allows the employer to view the permission and restrictions already recorded in your immigration status. Your NI number, immigration status, share code and employment contract therefore serve different purposes.
You can apply for a National Insurance number if you:
You can only apply after arriving in the UK. Being enrolled at a UK university does not automatically make you eligible, as your immigration status must also permit you to work.
You do not need to apply immediately after arriving if you do not plan to work. However, if you intend to look for part-time employment, it is sensible to apply after you have arrived, checked your Student visa work conditions and started your job search.
You do not need to wait until:
You must apply online through the official GOV.UK service. You do not need an employer, university representative, agent or third-party company to submit the application for you.
Before applying, check your eVisa record, the back of an older BRP, previous payslips, a P60, the HMRC app or your Personal Tax Account.
Do not submit a new application if you already have a National Insurance number, as it normally remains the same for life.
You can apply after arriving in the UK if you:
Visit the official National Insurance number application page and select the option to apply online. Avoid unofficial websites that charge a fee or ask an agent to complete the application for you.
Most Nepali students should have their valid passport ready. You may need to enter information from the passport during the application.
If you do not have an accepted identity document, you can still apply, but you may need to attend an appointment to prove your identity.
You may be asked to upload:
You can take the photographs using a smartphone, tablet or digital camera. The application service will explain how the photographs should be taken.
If you cannot upload them, you can still submit the online application. You may later be asked to attend an appointment or send photocopies of your documents.
Enter your personal information carefully and make sure your name, date of birth and other identity details match your passport and immigration records.
After submitting the application, you should receive an email containing your application reference number. The email will also explain whether you need to provide additional identity evidence.
It can take up to four weeks to receive your National Insurance number after you have proved your identity. The process may take longer if you need to attend an appointment, send photocopies or provide additional evidence.
Keep your confirmation email and application reference number safe in case you need to contact the application helpline.
Once your National Insurance number arrives, provide it securely to your employer or payroll team so they can update your employment and tax records.
Only use the official GOV.UK service. The application is free, and paying an unofficial agent does not make the process faster.
Most Nepali students should have a valid passport ready before starting the application. You may need to enter information from your passport and provide personal details such as your full name, date of birth, UK address and contact information. To prove your identity, you may be asked to upload:
You can take these photographs using a smartphone, tablet or digital camera. The online application will explain how the images should be taken. You can still apply if you cannot upload the photographs or do not have an accepted identity document, but the process may take longer. You may need to attend an appointment or send photocopies, and you will receive an email explaining the next steps. Follow the instructions provided during your application because the exact evidence requested may vary.
No. You do not need a BRP, eVisa or right-to-work share code simply to submit a National Insurance number application. Most students can use a valid passport or another accepted identity document. Before applying, check your eVisa record and the back of an older BRP because your National Insurance number may already appear there. Do not apply again when you already have one, as the same number remains with you for life.
An eVisa records your immigration status and work conditions, while a share code allows an employer to verify your right to work. These records serve different purposes:
Keep an older BRP because it may help you access or update your UKVI account and may display your National Insurance number. Use the official UKVI support service when you cannot access your eVisa, and never share your UKVI login details with an unofficial agent.
It can take up to four weeks to receive your National Insurance number after you have proved your identity. Your application may take longer if you cannot upload the required photographs and need to attend an appointment, send photocopies or provide further identity evidence.
Keep your confirmation email and application reference number safe. Contact the National Insurance number application helpline if:
Have your application reference number ready when you contact the helpline. It appears near the top of the confirmation email sent after you apply. Do not submit another application simply because your number has not arrived. Contact the application helpline and follow the instructions provided.
If your National Insurance number has not arrived, explain that your application is still being processed. You can start work while waiting for the number if you can prove your right to work and the proposed job complies with your Student visa conditions.
You should:
Your employer must verify your right to work before you start. A National Insurance number or application reference does not replace this check. Most non-British and non-Irish citizens can prove their right to work using a share code or eligible immigration documents.
Receiving a National Insurance number does not change your Student visa work conditions. The number is used for employment and tax records only. Your permission to work depends on the conditions attached to your immigration status.
Key rules include:
Do not assume that a break from classes, dissertation period or research period counts as an official university vacation. Check the conditions shown in your eVisa and confirm your course-specific term dates with your university before working full time.
Once you provide your National Insurance number to your employer, the payroll team can add it to your employment record. This helps connect your pay, tax and National Insurance contributions to the correct HMRC record.
You may find your NI number on:
You can also download a letter confirming your NI number through the HMRC app or your Personal Tax Account.
Your NI number may appear on your payslip, but it is not one of the details that every payslip must display. A payslip must show:
Your employer must provide the payslip on or before payday.
When checking your first payslips, confirm that:
Contact your employer’s payroll team first if your hours, pay or deductions appear incorrect. If the problem concerns your tax code and payroll cannot resolve it, check your HMRC account or contact HMRC.
A National Insurance number, your immigration status and an employer’s right-to-work check serve different purposes. Avoid these common mistakes:
Always use official GOV.UK services, check the work conditions shown in your eVisa and contact your university’s international student support team if you are uncertain about a job or your permitted working hours.
Use this checklist when preparing for and starting part-time work in the UK:
Understanding how to apply for an NI number, prove your right to work and follow your Student visa work conditions can make it easier to begin part-time work after arriving in the UK. These steps should form part of a wider study plan covering your course, university, finances, visa application and pre-departure preparation.
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A National Insurance number is a unique personal reference used to connect your employment, tax and National Insurance contributions to the correct government record. It normally remains the same for life.
If you plan to work and do not already have an NI number, you must apply for one. However, you can start working before it arrives if you can prove your right to work.
Yes. You can start working before your National Insurance number arrives if your immigration status permits the job and your employer has completed the required right-to-work check.
No. An NI number is used for employment and tax records. Your employer must verify your right to work separately, normally through your digital immigration status and a share code.
Apply online through the official GOV.UK service after arriving in the UK. You must live in the UK, have the right to work and be working, looking for work or holding an offer to start work.
Yes. The official government application is free, and you do not need to pay an agent or third-party website.
It can take up to four weeks after you have proved your identity. The process may take longer if you cannot upload the required photographs and need to attend an appointment or send photocopies.
You do not need a current BRP, eVisa or right-to-work share code simply to apply. GOV.UK asks applicants to prepare a passport or another accepted identity document where available.
Explain that your application is being processed and that you will provide the number to payroll when it arrives. Give the employer your right-to-work share code when requested.
Not always. Your National Insurance number may appear in your eVisa record or on the back of an older BRP, but it is not automatically shown for every student.
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