A National Insurance (NI) number is your personal tax reference in the UK — think of it like a tax file number or social security number. You need one to work legally, pay the right tax, and access certain benefits. Here's how to get one in 2026.
Can you start work without an NI number?
Yes — you can legally start work before you have an NI number. Tell your employer you have applied and provide it when it arrives. HMRC allows this. Your employer will put you on an emergency tax code temporarily, which is corrected once your NI number is registered.
💡 Tip
Apply for your NI number on your first or second day in the UK. The sooner you apply, the sooner it arrives — and it can take 8–12 weeks.
How to apply: the online process in 2026
- ✓Go to gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
- ✓You'll need your passport, UK address, and phone number
- ✓Answer questions about your right to work in the UK
- ✓The process is now fully online — no interview required since 2022
- ✓Your NI number arrives by letter (allow 8–12 weeks)
What you'll be asked
The online form asks: your name, date of birth, address, nationality, visa type and expiry date, and whether you've previously had an NI number. It takes about 10 minutes.
After you get your NI number
- ✓Give it to your employer — they'll update payroll and your tax code
- ✓Use it when setting up a private pension or ISA
- ✓Keep it safe — you'll use it for the rest of your life in the UK
- ✓It never expires and doesn't change even if you leave and return to the UK
What if your NI number takes too long?
If you haven't received it after 12 weeks, contact HMRC. You can also ask for a "confirmation letter" showing your application is in progress — some employers accept this instead of the number itself.
See our full first 30 days checklist for everything you need to do when you arrive.
View arrival checklist →