Bank Account, National Insurance and GP: Your First Three UK Admin Tasks
The order to tackle your bank account, National Insurance number and GP registration, what each one needs, and how to avoid the common hold-ups in your first weeks.
Three admin tasks matter more than any others in your first weeks in the UK: opening a bank account, applying for a National Insurance (NI) number, and registering with a GP. None is especially difficult, but each has its own requirements, and doing them in a sensible order saves repeated trips and frustration.
Task 1: Open a UK bank account
A UK account makes it easier to receive wages, pay rent, and avoid international transaction fees.
Your options
- App-based banks (such as Monzo, Starling or Revolut) often let you apply from your phone with a passport and proof of UK address, sometimes within days.
- High-street banks may offer student accounts with overdrafts, but some ask for a university bank letter and more paperwork, and overdrafts are often limited for international students.
What you'll typically need
- Your passport
- Proof of your immigration status (eVisa share code or details)
- A UK address — sometimes evidenced with a university enrolment or bank letter
- A UK phone number
Many universities can produce a letter confirming your enrolment and UK address. Request it during your first days — some banks accept it as proof of address when you have no bills yet.
See our full guide to opening a UK bank account for a comparison of providers.
Task 2: Apply for a National Insurance number
You need an NI number to work in the UK so that your tax and contributions are recorded correctly. You can apply online through GOV.UK. Depending on your status documents, you may receive it without further steps, or be asked for more information.
Things to know
- You can start work before your NI number arrives if you have the right to work — tell your employer you've applied.
- Only apply through GOV.UK; the application is free. Websites charging a fee are unnecessary at best.
- Keep your NI number safe — it stays with you for life.
Scammers imitate HMRC by text and email. HMRC will not ask you to confirm bank details by text link. If in doubt, go directly to GOV.UK rather than clicking a message.
More detail is in our National Insurance number guide.
Task 3: Register with a GP
A GP (general practitioner) is your first point of contact for non-emergency NHS care. If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, you can register as an NHS patient. Registration is free and many practices now accept online registration forms.
How to do it
- Find practices whose catchment area covers your address — your university may recommend a local practice or have one on campus.
- Complete the practice's registration form (online or paper).
- Add any ongoing medication or conditions so your records are ready if you need a prescription.
Don't wait until you're ill: registration can take a little while to process, and you'll want it done before freshers' flu season.
A sensible order
- GP registration — only needs your address, so start it straight away.
- Bank account — apply as soon as you have proof of address.
- NI number — apply once you're settled, especially if you plan to work part-time.
How the Arrive UK online add-on helps
Our Bank, NI & GP online walkthrough (£25) is a guided video session — no need to attend anywhere. We go through each application with you step by step on screen: choosing a bank that suits your situation, filling in the GOV.UK NI application, and completing your GP registration. You finish with each task either done or clearly queued up, plus a short written checklist of what to expect next.
It's ideal if you'd like reassurance the first time you face UK forms. See our online services.
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