An NI number is not permission to work and not a substitute for a visa. It is the key the state files your contributions under — your pension and some benefits depend on it.
For arrivals it is often printed on the BRP or shown in the UKVI account beside the eVisa. The number is issued once for life and does not change with a new name or job.
It takes up to four weeks. Any site or “helper” offering to arrange the number for a fee is a middleman selling you a free service.
Proving your right to work is enough — a share code from your UKVI account. An employer who refuses to take you on “without an NI number” is simply wrong.
Until the number arrives you may be put on an emergency tax code and lose more than you should. The money is not gone: HMRC links the records and refunds it.
Employees: 8% on earnings from £242 to £967 a week, 2% above that. Self-employed: 6% on profit from £12,570 to £50,270, and 2% above.
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