These Regulations amend the Social Security (Crediting and Treatment of Contributions, and National Insurance Numbers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.

Regulation 2(a) provides that a person who is required to apply for a national insurance number because he is an employed earner or self-employed earner must provide a document described in Part 1or 2 of the Schedule to the Immigration (Restriction on Employment) Order 2004.

Regulation 2(b) requires a person, who does not already have a national insurance number, to apply for a national insurance number if he is required to provide one when he qualifies for a student loan under the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.