UK Students
You’ll normally be sent a National Insurance number automatically, in the 3 months before your 16th birthday
If you did not receive a National Insurance number, call HMRC
International Students
You must apply online, you will need to provide the following documents:
- a passport from any country
- a biometric residence permit (BRP) or sharecode to prove immigration status
You can also use a national identity card from:
- a country in the EU
- Norway
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
You can still apply if you do not have any of these documents, but you may need to attend an appointment to prove your identity.
You’ll need to download and return the application form along with your proof of identity and your right to work or study in the UK. You’ll be told which documents you can use as proof when you get your application form.
After you apply, it can take up to 16 weeks to get your National Insurance number.