Last reviewed: 17 May 2026
TL;DR: Most arrivals with the right to work in the UK need a National Insurance (NI) number to ensure tax and contributions are recorded correctly. The application runs through gov.uk and is handled by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with identity verified either online via an eVisa share code or in person. There is no such thing as a temporary NI number issued to individuals.
Key facts
- NI numbers are issued by DWP via the gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number service for people aged 16 or over who need one.
- Identity verification typically requires a passport, BRP or eVisa share code, visa vignette, or other immigration document linked to the applicant.
- A person with the right to work can legally begin employment before the NI number is issued; employers follow the HMRC starter procedure.
- DWP does not issue temporary NI numbers to individuals; emergency codes seen on payroll software are internal employer placeholders, not real NI numbers.
- Applicants receive a confirmation letter by post once the number is issued, and the number stays the same for life.
Who Needs to Apply
The NI number application route described here is aimed at arrivals to the UK who do not already have one. UK-born adults are normally allocated a number automatically before their 16th birthday based on Child Benefit records, but a new arrival on a work visa, Skilled Worker route, Graduate route, Health and Care Worker visa, family visa, or refugee leave will not have an existing number on the DWP system. Anyone aged 16 or over who plans to work, claim certain benefits, or pay voluntary contributions will need one.
Status comes first. The application form asks for the applicant's immigration status and the document that proves it. Without a valid current immigration permission, the application cannot proceed. Visitors are not eligible because the visitor route does not permit work.
The Decision Flow Based on Status
The path through the system depends on what immigration evidence the applicant holds. The main branches are these. Holders of an eVisa generate a share code at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and supply it as part of the online application, allowing DWP to read the underlying status digitally. Holders of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) can still use the card while it remains valid, although BRPs were not reissued after 31 December 2024 and most have transitioned to eVisa. Holders of a current visa vignette in a passport, with no BRP yet collected, use the vignette as the supporting document. EU Settlement Scheme holders use their share code from the EUSS view-and-prove service.
The Online Application
The application begins at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. The form asks for personal details, current UK address, immigration status, and contact information. Applicants upload images of identity documents or supply a share code where appropriate. Some applicants are asked to attend a verification appointment at a Jobcentre Plus or to provide further documents by post; others have their identity verified entirely online. The decision on which route an individual case takes is made by DWP and is not selectable by the applicant.
Documents Typically Required
Acceptable documents listed on gov.uk include a current passport, a national identity card from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland for those with relevant rights, a BRP, a current visa or residence permit, and an immigration status share code. Supporting evidence of UK residence such as a tenancy agreement, a recent utility bill, an employer letter, or a university acceptance letter strengthens the application but is not always mandatory. Documents not in English or Welsh must usually be accompanied by a certified translation.
Identity Verification at Appointment
Where DWP cannot verify identity online, the applicant is invited to an in-person appointment. The appointment letter specifies the documents to bring. At the appointment a DWP officer checks the originals, takes copies, and may ask short questions about the applicant's circumstances in the UK, such as the employer's name, address, or expected start date. The appointment itself is short and free of charge. After the appointment the file is returned to a processing team for a decision.
Starting Work Before the Number Arrives
An applicant who already has the right to work, evidenced by an eVisa share code, BRP, settled status, or other immigration permission, does not have to wait for the NI number before starting employment. The right to work is established by the immigration document, not the NI number. The employer follows the HMRC new-starter procedure: the worker completes a Starter Checklist, the employer enters the wages on payroll without an NI number, and HMRC reconciles tax and contributions once the number is issued. The NI number is then added to the payroll record from that point onward.
The Temporary NI Number Myth
There is a persistent belief that HMRC or employers issue temporary NI numbers in the format TN followed by date of birth and a letter. DWP retired the use of TN-style numbers for new cases many years ago, and HMRC guidance no longer recognises them for live PAYE submissions. Anything that looks like a temporary number on an old payslip template is an internal placeholder used by some payroll software when the field is blank; it is not a real NI number and is not recorded against the worker by HMRC. The only valid NI number is the one issued by DWP and confirmed in writing.
After the Decision
DWP sends a confirmation letter to the address on the application. The letter contains the NI number in the standard format of two letters, six digits, and a final letter. The number should be retained for life. It is not necessary to keep the letter itself indefinitely, although it is sensible to keep a copy until the number has been entered on the employer's payroll system and appears on a payslip. The same number is used for tax records at HMRC, contribution records for the State Pension, claims for certain benefits, student loan repayments, and the personal tax account at gov.uk.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about UK rules and processes at the time of writing. It is not legal, immigration, tax, or financial advice. Rules and figures change. Verify the current position with the relevant authority (gov.uk, HMRC, FCA, or a regulated adviser) before acting on anything here.
FAQ
Is an NI number needed before starting work?
No. Right to work is the legal requirement to start work, and that is shown by immigration documents. An NI number is needed for the tax and contribution record but can be added once issued.
What if the applicant has no fixed UK address yet?
A UK address is required to receive the confirmation letter. A friend, family, or sponsor address can be used if the applicant is staying there in the short term, provided post can be received reliably.
Does an NI number change if a person changes visa category?
No. The NI number is issued once and stays the same for life regardless of subsequent visa changes, naturalisation, marriage, or relocation within the UK.
Can the application be made from outside the UK?
No. Applicants must be in the UK with a current right to work, study, or reside before applying.
Is there a fee?
No. The NI number application is free. Any website charging a fee is not the official service.
