What is a National Insurance Number?

A National Insurance number is a unique code made up of letters and numbers that is linked to an individual. It will never change, so make sure to keep a record of your National Insurance number.

You only need a National Insurance number if you are in employment or are planning to be in employment. The unique code links you to your National Insurance contributions and is also used by HMRC to keep a record of your income tax payments. It is important to have a National Insurance number, as this prevents you from paying too much tax and ensures all your tax and National Insurance contributions are recorded against your name. This may also be important when it comes to proving that you qualify for a state pension.

Find out more about what your National Insurance is used for.

BN(O) status holders can look for and start work without a National Insurance number, as long as you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK. You can do this by authorising a potential employer to access your data by conducting a right to work check. Please note that a National Insurance number does not prove that you have the right to work and is not a part of the right to work check. A right to work check is something that your employer does on your behalf, either by checking physical documents or checking your immigration status online. For more detail about this process, please visit our page on your rights and entitlements.

Applying for a National Insurance Number

We strongly advise that any recent BN(O) arrivals that are intending to work in the UK apply for a National Insurance number as soon as possible. This is because the application process can take up to 16 weeks after you have proven your identity.  

Find out more about how to apply for a National Insurance number.

The online application will ask you to prove your identity. This can be done online by submitting digital photos of your identity documents. Alternatively, you may be asked to post photocopies of your documents or attend an in-person, face to face appointment. Please note that due to the pandemic, many face-to-face National Insurance services are currently suspended.

To enquire about the status of your application, you can call the National Insurance number application helpline on 0800 141 2079.

FAQs:

Can a BN(O) Visa Holder work legally in the UK without a National Insurance Number (NINO)?

BN(O) status holders can look for and start work without a National Insurance number, as long as you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK. You can do this by authorising a potential employer to access your data by conducting a right to work check. Please note that a National Insurance number does not prove that you have the right to work and is not a part of the right to work check. A right to work check is something that your employer does on your behalf, either by checking physical documents or checking your immigration status online.

I applied for a National Insurance number, but have still not received one. What is the delay?
We are aware that some Hong Kong BN(O) migrants have experienced significant delays when applying for a National Insurance number.

I applied for my National Insurance number over 16 weeks ago – why have I not received it yet?

We are aware that in some instances, people are having to wait more than the maximum time of 16 weeks to receive their National Insurance Number. If you want to find out more about the status of your application, you can call the National Insurance number application helpline on 0800 141 2079.