Getting a National Insurance Number

A National Insurance (NI) number is a unique number allocated to you to identify you while you are in the UK. It ensures that the HM Revenue & Customs and the Department of Work and Pensions are able to track the contributions you've made to the UK social security and state pension system.

Anyone who wants to work in the UK will need to get a National Insurance number. You will need to quote your NI number to every employer you have while in the UK and NI contributions will be taken each time you are paid. If you don't have an NI number, you will be required to contribute more than normal in NI payments so it's wise to get your NI number as soon after arriving in the UK as possible.

How To Apply

If you want to apply for an NI number you need to call JobCentre Plus at 0845 600 0643 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday). The phone line is often busy, so stick with it and you will get through eventually. Jobcentre Plus will arrange an Evidence of Identity (EOI) interview with you to confirm you are you you say you are and verify that you are eligible to work in the UK. When you call they they will give you a date and time for the interview and go over what you need to bring with you. Take as many identity documents with you as you have such as a passport, national identity card, drivers license, birth certificate, marriage certificate and so on. They will schedule your interview at your nearest JobCentre office.

Fast Track Your NI Number

People who are working and don't yet have a National Insurance number will be taxed at a much higher emergency rate. To avoid this, it makes sense to get your NI number as soon as possible after arriving. Unfortunately, the process can sometimes take many month and can be time-consuming. 1st Contact offer a National Insurance number fast track service for £20 which will get your NI number within three weeks rather than three months. This will mean you won't have to fork over emergency tax on too many of your new paycheques.

National Insurance Rebates

As working holidaymakers are likely to return to their home countries well before retirement age, it doesn't make sense to pay into the UK's retirement plan. This is where some of your NI contributions go but it is possible to rebate some of the money and have it put into your home country's retirement scheme. You don't have to contribute anything extra to do this; you are simply choosing to direct your funds to your own personal pension fund which will be set up as part of this NI refund process. The UK government will not allow you to take a refund in cash, but they do want you to be able to use this money towards your own retirement in your home country.

Any foreigner working in the UK who plans to return home should be eligible and would be wise to divert this money into their own pension. Once you have applied for a National Insurance Rebate you do not need to reapply again - your NI Rebate will be automatically credited to your stakeholder pension plan annually. You can apply for your NI rebate online and the service is free.

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