NI voluntary contributions for immigrants

My relatives are planning to move to the UK from South Africa. They have ancestral visas and will be working in the uk. Eventually they will apply for British Citizenship. They only have about 20 years left before retirement. Would they be able to pay voluntary NI contributions to make their qualifying years up to the 35 needed for the full pension? Many thanks for any help and advice.

Hi,

The criteria to pay Voluntary National Insurance Contributions (NICs) depends on an individuals circumstance, however I can provide some general information on this matter.

You can only pay voluntary NICs from the tax year you are registered on the NI system, you cannot pay prior to this year.  For example you register  for a UK NI number in May 2024 you can only pay Voluntary NICs from the 06 April 2024.  You cannot pay Voluntary NICs in the year you reach UK state pension age.

There is more information held on the GOV.UK website Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

Thank you.