Relocating to another country can be very overwhelming and people must often deal with issues that they are not familiar with. One of the things unfamiliar to South Africans relocating to the United Kingdom (UK) is the national insurance number (NIN).

We have subsequently compiled a short guide on what it is all about, who needs it and how to apply for yours.

The national insurance number

Every person in the UK has a unique national insurance number (NIN). A person keeps the same NIN for his/her life. A number will only be used once.

The Department of Works and Pensions in the UK allocates the NIN’s. The NIN consists of both numbers and letters.

The NIN is displayed on a person’s payslip, P60 (tax form), tax letters and benefits, as well as the NI section of the personal tax account.

Every person in the UK older than 16 years is assigned an NIN.

The national insurance number and migrants to the UK

All persons wanting to work in the UK must get an NIN. This includes all migrants to the UK. If a person does not have a number assigned to them, he/she must apply for one.

It is only possible to apply for the NIN once you have arrived in the UK. You will also have to have the right to work or study in the UK before being able to apply for an NIN.

Nowadays, some migrants already have their NIN printed on their biometric residence permit.

Working in the UK without a national insurance number

It is possible to start work in the UK before receiving your NIN. However, you will have to be able to prove to your employer that you do have the right to work in the UK. You will be expected to apply for an NIN and provide the number to your UK employer as soon as you receive it.

How to apply for the national insurance number

If you do not have an NIN, you must apply as follows:

Once you arrive in the UK, phone the NIN application line in the UK at 0800 141 2075 or via text phone at 0800 141 2438.

Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd. is experts on all UK immigration matters and assists people worldwide to realise their dream of living and working in the UK. You are welcome to visit our website at www.bic-immigration.com or email us at info@bic-immigration.com.