You will need a national insurance (NI) number. It records your national insurance contributions and tax against your name. It’s made up of letters and numbers and never changes.
You can look for and start work without a national insurance number if you can prove you can work in the UK. You can prove you have the right to work in the UK by providing a share code - you can get a share code online.
Your employer can use the share code to check:
- the types of job you’re allowed to do in the UK
- how long you can work in the UK for
Employers have to conduct mandatory "Right to Work" checks on anyone they want to hire. Having an NI number is not part of these checks because it does not prove that a person has a right to work.
When you apply you will need to provide a copy of your passport and proof that you have the right to work. Agency workers have specific rights from their first day of work.
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For further help with employment rights, contact your local Citizens Advice.