Visas, Bank Accounts, National Insurance and other important things…
To live and work in the UK is a dream shared by many people.
There are good reasons for this.
Britain is a highly developed country where jobs are relatively well-paid, individual rights are respected and work conditions are subject to favourable rules which simply do not exist in many other countries.
The economy (even when it is slow) is big and full of opportunity!
However, the UK cannot open its borders to all people. Unfortunately, doing so would result in an influx of foreign citizens which would ultimately cause big problems.
But there are ways.
3 Things Needed for Work
There are some basic requirements if you need to work in the UK such as (click to skip to info below);
- A Visa
- Bank Account
- NI Number (or National Insurance Number)
Getting a Visa to Work in the UK
Depending on what country you’re from, you may or may not need to have a Visa to live and/or work in the United Kingdom.
If you’re an EU citizen, a citizen of an EEA (European Economic Area) country (excepting Bulgaria and Romania, for which there are special regulations in place) or a citizen of Switzerland, you do have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom, and you do not need to obtain a work visa for this purpose.
This means that you can:
- Work as an employee
- Work in a self-employed regime
- Create a new business
- Create a regional branch for an existing business
If you are from anywhere else in the world, you’ll have to apply for a work visa. The type of visa you’ll need will depend on the type of work you’ll want to do in the UK. The UK Border Agency classifies people who want to move and work in the UK in the following fashion:
High-Value Migrants – Need to complete an assessment based on a point-system. This category generally refers to people with exceptional talents, investors and entrepreneurs (people who mean to invest their own money in to the British economy)
Skilled Workers – In this case applicants need to be sponsored by their prospective employer who is offering you a position, in order to be able to apply for a work visa.
Temporary Workers – This generally applies to individuals who are interested in coming to work in the UK for a period of time of at most 12 months, such as young people participating in a Work and Travel program.
Students – Although restricted to 10 or 20 hours, many international students can work part-time in the UK.
Other – This non-denominational category of workers includes a number of different situations where special rules exist, like the case of domestic workers and representatives of companies located in a foreign country.
This might seem like a very complicated system upon first seeing it, but there are some tools that you can use to make the process easier. You can even apply for a visa online on the UK Border Agency website. This way you can be sure to find the specific form you need, you’ll get help in filling it out correctly, and you’ll receive guidance regarding the documents you need to present as evidence for what you claim in the forms.
Getting a UK Bank Account
If you want to work in the UK you’ll need to have a bank account, where your employer can transfer your salary in British pounds. You will have a few different options available to choose from here, depending on how familiar you are with banking procedures. There are different ways to open a new bank account, and what you should choose depends entirely on your preferences and on your budget.
First, you could hire the services of a specialized relocation company. Reputable relocation companies will offer a range of starter services, to help you get your footing once you’ve arrived in the UK, or even before you get here. These starter packages might include anything from Job assistance services, a bank account, a SIM Card, a NI number, a Gym membership and much more.
On the other hand, you could open a new bank account yourself, once you’re already in the country. However you should know that banks usually require proof of address when opening a new bank account. You won’t have a huge selection to choose from, but in recent years it has become a little easier for foreign nationals to open a bank account in the UK.
Getting a National Insurance Number
When you live and work in the UK you need to have a NI number in order to pay your National Insurance contributions if you want to have access to certain benefits like state pensions and student loans. The opposite is also valid, however. In order to be able to apply for a NI (National Insurance) number you need to have the right to live and work in the UK.
Your NI number represents your personal account number, and it’s meant to ensure that every tax payment you make, whether it’s for the income tax or for National Insurance contributions, is properly attributed to you. It also serves as an identifier in all your dealings with the HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs), and the Department for Work and Pensions.
You have two different options available for getting a NI number:
1) You can use a service and pay a fee (about £25) to get assistance and make sure things run smoothly.
2) You can apply to get a NI number yourself.
Conclusion
Knowing what you need to work in the UK can often be just start of an amazing work and life experience. To get set up with everything you need there are many services set up by private companies designed to help make things easier. For many people getting assistance with tedious, time-consuming tasks can mean that things run a lot smoother, but if you have time and plenty of patience there are ways to sort things out yourself too.
dear sir/madam, i have my uk national insurance number. does this entitle me to work in uk?
Not necessarily no – You need an appropriate visa or passport for this.
I have a temporary student work visa and a job lined up in the UK this summer. I will be working with a major company for 90 days. Do I need a NI number just to work ?
Hi Steve, Good question. I guess technically yes, but you do not need one to work… most likely your company will require it regardless.
Steve, how did you acquire that job and how did you go about apply for the work visa? Please email me. Thank you.
Hi Quinn, some desperate advice please. I am 19 and will be 20 in June this year. I was born in the UK I am a citizen but I I moved to Spain when I was 6 and obviously had my education here in Spain . There has not been much work so I was offered a job in France but to continue working for the company I need a NI number and uk bank account. Bank account is not an issue at the moment it’s my NI number. I’m currently working still in France but how would I obtain a NI number without an interview? I have all my paper work ……advice please
Think you will need to attend an interview if you actually need one. Maybe a Eurostar quick trip to London is in order? That said, if you live in France – even if you earn British pounds I can not see why you will need an NI Number at all… NI Numbers are for people working in the UK.
Hi Quinn,
I’m moving to the UK next month from Hungary. What’s the easiest way to register my UK address (I’m moving in with my UK boyfriend) and the easiest way for me to get my NI number? I hold a valid passport. I can’t start applying to UK jobs without my NIN, can I?
You can certainly apply to jobs without an NI number! Easiest way to register your address is to get bills in your name – like a mobile phone for example. I recommend using a service to help with everything from arranging the interview and ensuring your paperwork is in order to dealing with issues like changes of address – but up to you.
Hi there would like to apply for national insurance but don’t have an address yet. I live outside uk and just started doing care jobs. Is there any company service that helps with address ?
Hi Andrea, If you live outside the UK you do not need an NI nor can you get one.
hi Quinn, just wanna ask..what are the documents needed to be able to go and work in UK if ever i have a host employer?
Hi Julie, A work visa is where you need to start. If you mean a sponsorship – often the employer will take care of it for you.
Hi Quinn:
I’m not sure how unique my situation is, but I was born in the UK and lived there until I was 10 years old when we moved to the US. I’m an adult now still living in the US, but thinking about moving back to the UK and working. I have dual citizenship (US & UK) as I never surrendered my British citizenship and have current paasports for both countries. What is needed/required for me to seek employment? Also, for my wife holding a US passport?
Thank you!
Hi Adam, Seeking work and finding work has more to do with your legal ability to work there. The NI number is just something you have to get in addition to this. Your wife will be able to work as your spouse with a “Spouse or Settlement Visa” Cheers, Quinn
Hello Quinn, I would really appreciate a reply for this as I haven’t had much luck so far-
My other half is dutch, so part of the EU he wants to work for a UK organisation that operates overseas they ask for an N.I number –
How can I put a foot in the right direction and sort tthis out,
Thanks
As I understand it – Its a UK company operating overseas and he is working overseas (not the UK). In this case he does not need an NI Number. Even though they may think he does.
Hi I want to ask what are the specific documents i need to work in u.k as a have a job offer from this country.
Hi Elreen, There is a long list of suitable documents and these will depend on your specific circumstances. Just one of the reasons why I recommend this service – http://4ui.us/Easy-NI-Number to help get all your documents in order and avoid the stress.
Hey Quinn I wanted to know I am a french citizens can I work and live in United Kingdom.
My passport and recidence are up to date.
Hi Kelly, The UK is still part of the EU – Yes. Will be that way for a few years yet. Cheers, Quinn
Hi Quinn, My boyfriend lives with me from France but he doesn’t have his name on the bills or anything because it’s my flat. He obviously wants to work here in the UK though. How would he go about getting a NI number? Thanks, Laura
Hi Laura, Use the service I recommend – they will figure out how to do it and make sure it’s done right too. Cheers, Quinn
Hi Quinn,
please, can I apply for UK working visa without invitation from any employer but as a self sponsored thing. As a skilled worker, most of the UK residents who could be of help inquired my UK working visa. I thought that it is when some one has job offers that there would be need to obtain a working visa.
Sponsorship requires that you have a sponsor that is willing to go through the steps of securing this visa. Hope that helps!
Hi Quinn,
I have applied job via online and got response. The sponsor said that he is working in UK Embassy and will send me the travel documents, but first I need to pay 110 pounds to EMS courier service for sending the document to my doorstep.
Please guide me, if I can get the sponsorship before clearing my immigration status to work in Uk. Also is it necessary to have IELTS Level 7 certification ?
Thank you
Regards
Shakeel Ahmad
Hi Shakeel, It does not make sense to me based on the information you have provided. “The sponsor said that he is working in UK Embassy” … usually a sponsor works for a company not “in the Embassy” – sounds like a scam. Most employers will have met you in person and they will not ask you for money. I could be wrong as I only have the limited info and perhaps I did not understand you but if it was as easy as applying to a job and sending 110 pounds a lot more people would be doing it.
Hi Quinn, I am a Dutch citizen and not intending to move to live in the uk but will travel each week to work 40 hours a week this means I will not have a UK address can I still apply for a NI. or is this not necessary.
P.S this company will pay my salary on my UK bank account.
Thanks,
Interesting question because you may have to – to avoid the emergency tax (British company I assume) but they require an address… I would want to speak to the service I recommend and get their advice.
Hi Quinn I am African country Uganda I want to work in UK
I have my money for processing UK visa and air ticket but I need a sponsor to help me process a UK visa or get someone offer me a job In UK. how do I do that
Apply to jobs that will sponsor you. You will need to have very high demand experience and usually they will want to meet you in the UK – it is a challenge no doubt.
Katlin
My friend wants to come and work in England for summer just for 5-6 weeks.
Does he still need NI number? And can he book the appointment before he arrives?
So he can have it straight away and can get to work straight away ?
Yes. Technically your friend is meant to get one and even though they might not get it until after they have gone home, they will need it to get their tax back. Recommend using the service as they can help with getting tax back afterwards and ensure they get it in the first place. He can work straight away! Just tell the employer he is applying for one.
Hello,
Im moving from the United States of America to U.K. I’m Moving Permanently to the UK
Im wondering what documents do i need to work in the UK and where to go to get them?
Thank you for you time
Hi Vincent,
Work Visa – British Embassy in your country but check out their website first and make sure you qualify.
Then you come back and get your NI.
Cheers, Quinn
Hello,
I am a Greek national (and resident) and I want to apply for a Summer job in the UK (3-month fixed term contract).
I don’t have a UK address and will probably stay with friends, therefore I won’t have a billing address… Am I still eligible to work? How can I issue a NIN or a bank account without actually being a resident?
You will be able to work. Highly recommend going through a service to help guide you.
Quinn
I trust you are well?
I am an South African citizen & want to look for work in the UK (on a more permanent basis).
I am not sure where to start. Can I start applying for positions?
Apparently one must have no debt before on can get approval for an visa & an passport,
is this correct.
Kind regards
Hi Wynand, Each visa has its own requirements. First figure out you best options for a visa and then apply to jobs that can accommodate. Hope it goes well!
Hi Quinn
My Greek friend is moving to the UK in January and was wondering if there are a certain amount of hours she will have to work in the country in order to stay here. Would she be able to apply for an NI if she is unemployed?
Regards
Hi Judith, I think you question is about Brexit – “As a citizen of Greece you are not required to apply for visa to study, work and live in the UK permanently or temporarily.” but that is about to change with Brexit in early 2019. Check out – https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44553225
Dear, Im EU member with a UK bank account and proof of address already:
how can i assure my NINO number? At the interview, is just the “wish to work” enough? or will they ask me for “proof of employment”? or “proof of NINO s need”?