Overview

Your National Insurance (NI) Number is your own personal tax number and used as a reference number for the whole benefits and tax credit system in the UK. It is also used for making tax and NI deductions through Pay As You Earn (PAYE), recording your entitlement to the State Pension and claiming benefits. You keep the same NI number all your life. The National Insurance number card is a plastic card which is issued automatically when you first apply for a National Insurance number. Make sure that you look after this card as should you lose it, Revenue and Customs (UK government tax department) will only send one replacement in your lifetime!

Applying for National Insurance Number

You need to apply for NI number as soon as your start work or you are looking for work or if you are a self-employed. It is important that the only people you ever give your NI number to are:

• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• Your employer
• Jobcentre Plus, if you claim Jobseeker's Allowance
• Your local council, if you claim Housing Benefit

**You should never claim or accept any benefits or financial support from either the UK Government or your local council. If you do, you may not be able to secure a visa extension or permanent residence as you are not entitled to public funds.

If you want to apply for NI number, you should contact your local Job Centre in the UK by telephoning 0845 600 0643 ( between 8am to 6 pm Monday to Friday) and ask to arrange an interview. You will then need to attend an interview at a Job Centre that they select which will be local to where you live.

The Interviewer will run through some details about your background and circumstances as well as reviewing the kind of work you are looking for. In addition to the interview, you will need to provide proof of your identity, so ensure you bring your passport along.