National Insurance Number

Hi Everyone

Sorry for not posting lately, but I have been really busy lately. My Girlfriend and I made it here (London) safely, found a place to live, and have seen a lot of the sights. Now we are getting really to start working, but we are a little curious about this whole NIN thing.

When we got our Visas in Canada, there was a notice with it saying we HAD to have a NI number to work in the UK, but on Canada Day (The Maple Leaf was rocking that night!!) we were talking to some other canadians and they said that you really don't need one. I have talked to some other Aussie friends that have been here for a year or so, and they say they had the worst time getting one and they really have no idea why they needed one or what the benefits are of having one! One of them is just using a "temporary NI number" and doesn't see the point going through the hassle to get a real one. The whole thing sounds pretty dodgy to me!

Anyways, that is why I am turned to you guys again. Does anyone really know why I need one or what the benefits are? Anyone care to tell their experiences or stories about getting one?

Thanks for all the great info,

Beyond 11

Believe me get a National Insurance Number. You pay emergency tax without it and if you are in the same boat as me and need every penny to survive, you will get one asap. Emergency tax is one of the highest tax brackets so you pay a schit load on your salary till you get one.
I know of people not having one and then claiming it back when they go back to their home country, that is fine if you can afford too. I went from getting £220 a week to almost £300 once I got my NIN. Then at the end of the tax year sent in all my tax forms (P60s and stuff) and got a big fat cheque.
Now getting your NIN is a hassel, you have to be working or have proof of seeking work. Then you have to find a Job Centre Plus or something, book an appointment, usually having to wait 3 weeks to get in, then go there and wait 2 hours to see someone. Then it takes about 1 month to get you NIN. So I can see why people don't waste their time getting one.
Hope that helps, good luck!!! This is a great place to be. Come out to Vandoos and meet the gang!!

I don't recall having an issue getting mine. I applied at a Job Centre in Rugby, which may have made a difference - with a population of only 30,000, Rugby's not that big. Anyway, I had a job offer to show them, and got my card with no problems whatsoever. And I agree with above poster - it's worth it to stop paying emergency tax.

If you look for a job right away, they can give you your job offer with only a temporary number, at which point you can apply for your regular number. Even with a wait for an appointment, it's not really a hassle because you'll have your temporary number in the meantime, and it doesn't cost you anything to wait. The appointment doesn't take all that long, and they mail you your NIN card. All pretty simple, really, compared with the trouble people have actually getting here to begin with.

I had an appointment to get a NIN a few monthsa go, but missed it due to the flu. I haven't rescheduled yet and am still using the temp number.

People tell me it will make a differnce inthe amount of tax taken off my check (will be less with a permanent number).

Will plan to get one soon, I think.

I've been here for 5 years on a temporary NI number, and have been tol by my accounting department at work that my tax code won't change, that there is absolutely no reason for me to get a permanent number.

I was encouranged by my workplace to get a proper NIN because I was being taxed at 'emergency' rates. Being lazy, I didn't bother for the first few months, went back to Toronto for a couple of months, came back to England and applied for the NIN without a job, and I got the card without hassle.

AND more importantly, I brought home more of my paycheque.