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Transpondia Immigration FAQ © |
National Insurance
| National Insurance Numbers | |
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The National Insurance Number (NIN) is a unique number given to every person in the UK over the age of 16 who either works or receives benefits. It is composed of nine alphanumeric characters (like XX999999X), and is issued on a National Insurance card which is credit-card sized, turquoise on the top and red on the bottom. National Insurance Numbers are issued by the Department of Work and Pensions, who operate local offices throughout the UK which are commonly called "Job Centres+". 
There is a search engine which locates the nearest Job Center to a given place at Job Centre Location Search
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| How can I get a National Insurance Number? | |
There are no facilities to apply online or via post, and a prior appointment is necessary. "Jobcentre Plus" has a telephone number (0845 91 57006 or 0845 91 55670) for booking an appointment. National Insurance Numbers will only be given to
people who
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| My nearest Job Centre+ has a 3 month waiting list. Can I go to another? | |
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Yes.
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| What should I bring when I apply? | |
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Your appointment letter will contain a list of documents to bring with you.
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| How long does it take? | |
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Not more than several weeks, but if there is a backlog you will be informed at your interview.
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| My birth certificate contains an entry called 'National Health Number'. Is this my National Insurance Number? | |
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No. The NHS numbering scheme was changed, and this number is no longer your NHS number or your NIN number.
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| I read on the Internet that I can use a temporary National Insurance Number... | |
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Once, there was a formula for creating a temporary NIN which used the birth date and gender of the person. The rules have changed and this scheme is obsolete.
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| I heard that the last letter of the NIN was a code used by the Government... | |
That scheme was dicontinued in 1975. The layout of the number is specified by the Cabinet Office and is published as a Government Data Standard.
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| I have lost my National Insurance Number! | |
It should be on an old payslip or tax return, or your Personnel Officer may have a record of it. There is also a help line at 0845 915 7006 where you can request a "Letter of Confirmation" which will include your NIN.
HMRC also provides advice on tracing lost National Insurance Numbers. | |
| Will my child need a National Insurance Number? | |
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Yes. Everyone over the age of 16 who is employed needs to have one. If you have received Child Benefit, they are already tracking it and will create a National Insurance Number for your child automatically (usually about 3 months before the child's 16th birthday). If the child was never the beneficiary of Child Benefit, there is no record and they will have to apply at a "Job Centres+".
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| I applied for job an was rejected because I did not have a NIN. Is this not an unfair paradox? | |
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Some employers do not know the rules, and others may not wish to be bothered. Your rejection, however, will provide excellent evidence that you are actively looking for work and should be presented at your interview.
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| I do not have a NIN, is it illegal for me to work? | |
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Not exactly. You can begin work, but must apply for a NIN at the same time. While your NIN application is being processed, you will be in a higher tax bracket.
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| I am an immigrant, but I have a NIN. does it mean that I can work legally? | |
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Only if your visa allows it. The NIN does not confer a legal status with respect to immigration, and it does not change the terms and conditions of your visa.
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| Are there any other unique numbers assigned to me by the Government? | |
Yes. In addition to the National Insurance Number, the following are also uniquely assigned (NOTE: not everyone will have, or qualifies for, each of these):
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| Internet Reources | |
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