Your first weeks working abroad – registration, tax, insurance

1. Right to work: before you start, your employer checks it – you give them a share code you get online, or your immigration documents; Irish citizens show their passport.
2. National Insurance number: you need it for tax and National Insurance. If you have an eVisa or a biometric residence permit, it may already be in your UKVI account; otherwise apply online – it can take up to 4 weeks. You can start work before it arrives if you can prove your right to work.
3. Health care: register with a GP (family doctor). In England this is free, and you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. If you come on a visa, you usually pay the immigration health surcharge when you apply – for a Graduate visa usually £1,035 for each year.
4. Tax: in the 2026–27 tax year the first £12,570 of income is tax-free (Personal Allowance); then 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above (England, Wales and Northern Ireland – Scotland has its own bands).

Problems with pay or working conditions? Acas gives free, impartial advice in England, Scotland and Wales.