National Insurance numbers

National Insurance numbers

A National Insurance (NI) number is a personal number issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is used:

• a) To record a person’s NI contributions and credited contributions;
• b) As a reference number for the whole social security system.

NI contributions are deducted automatically from your earnings, unless you are exempt from making contributions.

NI is separate from the Immigration Health Surcharge that you may have been required to pay at the point of visa application submission.

New staff

You should provide your NI number as soon as possible after your employment begins. Failure to do so may result in salary payments being suspended until Imperial receives this information. 

If you are from overseas and have not previously obtained an NI number, you are legally obliged to apply for this number and to register for NI purposes on commencing employment with Imperial College, unless you are exempt from doing so (see below).

Applying for an NI number

If you have not been automatically allocated an NI number with a previous Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa status, please review and follow the gov.uk guidance: Apply for a National Insurance number: Who can apply for a National Insurance number - GOV.UK