Apply for a National Insurance number
Your personal tax and benefits number. Apply online if you live in the UK, have the right to work and do not have one.
Time: Up to 4 weeks after proving your identity
What you need
- Live in the UK and have the right to work
- A passport from any country, or an EU/EEA/Swiss national ID card
- A photo of yourself holding your passport, plus photos of your ID documents
Step by step
- Gather your identity documents
- Apply online and upload photos of your documents, if you can
- Check the email with your application reference: it says if more proof of identity is needed
- Wait for your number
Where to apply
GOV.UK: apply for a National Insurance number · gov.uk
The app helps with
Tips to get it right the first time
- If you cannot upload photos you can still apply, but it takes longer.
- You can only apply while you are in the UK.
Save the checklist in the app and tick items off as you gather them.
Reviewed on October 19, 2026 · source: gov.uk. Requirements and costs are for reference and may change without notice: confirm them with the official source before you go. We are not affiliated with any institution.