Working in NI

herbieflowers

Hey,

I'm moving to Belfast soon enough, just wondering what (if any) red tape I need to take care of before I can begin to work? (I've seen a National Insurance number on a lot of application forms, for example)

herbieflowers

anyone?

Kamili

I moved up to Belfast over two years ago and found it very difficult to get a national insurance number. I had to find a job and then get the HR dept to write me a letter stating i was in their employment, which I then had to forwards along with my application to the equivalent of Revenue office, HM Revenue and Customs. Then they ask you to come in for an interview and ask you all sorts of bizarre questions about how you came to NI (apparently the back of a truck route is the most popular!). It took over three months from the time I applied originally to the date I got notified of my interview and then it was 2 months down the line. Take a look here and hopefully it will answer some more questions
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/faqs/ynino.htm

Make sure you have two forms of ID (passport being one) and opening a bank account also helps as it shows that you are committed to staying in the country. This again was another huge issue as Irish driving licenses are not a valid form of ID apparently with some banks as we do not have the card system. You don't want to know what I thought of that.

I hope this helps! Feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll try to help as best I can.

pow wow

I had no hassle getting my NI number but then that was about 8 yrs ago...they must have tightened up since then. I don't know if you have to have a job first though, as lots of places won't hire you without one. You will need proof of ID and address though, and be prepared for a slight grilling by whoever does your interview before assigning the number :rolleyes:

herbieflowers

Right, thanks guys.

So basically, I can't work until I have one? (without the hassle of HR depts etc.)

CatFromHue

I went up to belfast this time last year for a contract job.

If i remember correctly i had no real problem with getting the National insurance number. As mentioned above you ring for an interview and then do the interview, i dont think i got a grilling in the interview it was all pretty much straight forward. well i think so anyway as i couldnt fully understand the interviewers accent!

I had alot of difficulty though opening a bank account. There's only a few types of proof of address they accept i.e. a utility bill, which i couldnt provide as i was in rented accomodation. I did have letters that had been sent to me, but these were unacceptable.
I had to get a letter from work, well two actually since they didnt accept the first one cos it wasnt worded exactly as they asked, and i mean exactly.

Dont forget to register with a doctor as well. I got sick in november but had trouble getting to see one cos i wasnt registered with any.