A Guide To Getting A National Insurance Number For International Students

If you’ve travelled overseas and plan on studying in the UK, you might be confused about what a National Insurance number is, if you need one, and how to get one.   

You only need a National Insurance number (NI number for short) if you plan on working while in the UK. So, if you’re not planning on getting a part-time job, you can breathe a sigh of relief, as this isn’t something you need to worry about. 

If you’re planning on getting a job while studying, the good news is that getting an NI number is a fairly simple process. Plus, it doesn’t cost a thing!   

Should you be looking to work while studying, you can check out this blog, make sure you check out our blog ‘International students: UK working hours’. There are strict rules about how many hours you can work as an international student, and you don’t want to risk breaking them.  

What is a National Insurance number? 

A National Insurance is a unique combination of numbers and letters. It proves you’re legally allowed to work in the UK. 

HM Revenue and Customs uses it to ensure you’ve paid the correct amount of tax. Employers use it to calculate your tax and national insurance contributions. UK residents are usually sent their NI number three months before their 16th birthday. 

Do international students have a National Insurance number? 

You might already have been given an NI number if you’re an international student with a biometric residence permit (BRP). It should be printed on the back of your BRP. However, if you’ve not got a BRP (or you do, but it doesn’t have your NI number on), you’ll need to apply for one if you plan on getting a part-time job.  

How to apply for a National Insurance number as an international student 

To obtain an NI number, you need to be looking for a part-time job or have already started work in the UK. You might need to prove this when applying.  

If you’ve already got a job, you can start before your NI arrives, but you’ll need to prove you have the right to work in the UK. 

You can only apply when you’re in the UK, and it should take less than four weeks to get your NI number. However, it can take up to 16 weeks in some circumstances. 

Apply online  

The easiest way to apply for your NI number is through the gov.uk website. You’ll need to provide the following information: 

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Address (including postcode)
• Date of arrival in the UK
• Current employment status

You’ll also have to prove your identity when applying, so make sure you have the below documents ready (if you have them): 

• Passport from any country
• Biometric residence permit (BRP)
• National identity card from an EU country, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

During the application process, you’ll have to fill in information from these documents and take pictures of them and yourself to prove your identity.  

If you’re unable to take photos or you don’t have any of the required documents, your application might take longer. You might have to send photocopies of your documents or attend an in-person interview with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at your local Jobcentre Plus.  

NI number helpline 

You can no longer apply for your NI number over the phone. However, you can still call the NI helpline if you require assistance or are struggling with your online application.  

If you’re in England, Scotland and Wales, you can call National Insurance number application helpline on 0800 141 2079, and it’s open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

How UniHomes can help 

Although applying for an NI number is a simple process, it’s not as fun as looking for your perfect uni house… 

UniHomes has an extensive landlord and letting agent network with student properties in cities across the UK. 

We want to make things as simple as possible for students. That's why all of the properties on our site include utilities and broadband as standard. You’ll know ahead of time exactly how much you’ll need to pay, making it simple to budget the money you make from your part-time job! 

There are no hidden setup costs, and our team will do all the hard work for you. There’s no need to worry about trying to set up utility accounts and the hassle of calling different providers - we’ll deal with everything on your behalf.  

Contact us today to learn more about how we work and why we’re the best choice for student properties.