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English national Insurance number- is it an awkward process

  • 22-08-2011 05:05PM
    #1
    reddan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭


    Hey folks,

    I'm just wondering about has anyone had any experience of sorting out an English national insurance number, or bank account.

    I'm planning on heading to London soon but I was hoping to apply for jobs from here and head over for interviews, basically i'm not planning on moving over until I get a job.

    But now I'm open to temping for a while but my mates were saying I'd defo need a national insurance number, to get a bank account, so I can actually get paid.

    Does anyone know how long either of these process's would take?

    Thanks in advance for advice offered......


Comments

  • #2
    Delancey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,451 ✭✭✭Delancey


    National Insurance number is not difficult though it is more involved than getting a PPS number here.
    You have to do an interview ( by appointment ) with the DSS who will ask a few questions - bring all the ID you can - passport , driving licence , birth cert , etc.
    The process is like this to cut down on fraud / illegal immigration ( our own DSW could learn a few things from their counterparts in ' Blighty ' ).

    Bank accounts are a pain in the ass and very similar to the hoops you have to jump through here.


  • #3
    reddan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭reddan


    Delancey wrote: »
    National Insurance number is not difficult though it is more involved than getting a PPS number here.
    You have to do an interview ( by appointment ) with the DSS who will ask a few questions - bring all the ID you can - passport , driving licence , birth cert , etc.
    The process is like this to cut down on fraud / illegal immigration ( our own DSW could learn a few things from their counterparts in ' Blighty ' ).

    Bank accounts are a pain in the ass and very similar to the hoops you have to jump through here.

    Thanks a lot Delancey, really appreciate the info.


  • #4
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    How quickly it's done depends on how busy the centre is where you apply - you could wait a week or two for an appointment once you've approached them. Employers can pay you for a little while without one but it's a bit of hassle for them. Once you've had the interview you'll get a letter confirming you've applied and that's usually enough to get you started from an employer's perspective.


  • #5
    David6330
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭David6330


    I moved to Essex back in mid-June. Got NI number set up within a few days after getting in contact with Jobcentre plus (UK social welfare office).

    For bank account I went to HSBC and set up a HSBC Passport account. Its for people moving to the UK from abroad. Bring proof of home address (your Irish one) and ID. It costs around £8 a month but it was the easiest to set up. For standard accounts you need uk utility bill which I didn't have at the time.


  • #6
    reddan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭reddan


    pow wow wrote: »
    How quickly it's done depends on how busy the centre is where you apply - you could wait a week or two for an appointment once you've approached them. Employers can pay you for a little while without one but it's a bit of hassle for them. Once you've had the interview you'll get a letter confirming you've applied and that's usually enough to get you started from an employer's perspective.

    Thanks for that Pow Wow, that's good to know on the letter front.


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  • #7
    Boxoffrogs
    Closed Accounts Posts: 458 ✭✭Boxoffrogs


    Hi Reddan

    When I moved to the UK in 98, I applied to the Revenue for a National Insurance number. I waited almost two months for an interview. In the meantime, I worked on a temporary number, given to me by the Revenue, but it's just based on your date of birth. As soon as the real Insurance number is issued, your contributions will be transferred over.

    As for the bank account, I have to say, I found it no more difficult to open one there than here. I was with Lloyds TSB.

    Best of luck


  • #8
    reddan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭reddan


    Boxoffrogs wrote: »
    Hi Reddan

    When I moved to the UK in 98, I applied to the Revenue for a National Insurance number. I waited almost two months for an interview. In the meantime, I worked on a temporary number, given to me by the Revenue, but it's just based on your date of birth. As soon as the real Insurance number is issued, your contributions will be transferred over.

    As for the bank account, I have to say, I found it no more difficult to open one there than here. I was with Lloyds TSB.

    Best of luck

    Hey Boxofrfrogs, thanks a million the info, it's good to know.David6330 gave me a really useful heads up on a quick and easy bank account set up, so fingers crossed it won't be too painful a process.


  • #9
    reddan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭reddan


    David6330 wrote: »
    I moved to Essex back in mid-June. Got NI number set up within a few days after getting in contact with Jobcentre plus (UK social welfare office).

    For bank account I went to HSBC and set up a HSBC Passport account. Its for people moving to the UK from abroad. Bring proof of home address (your Irish one) and ID. It costs around £8 a month but it was the easiest to set up. For standard accounts you need uk utility bill which I didn't have at the time.


    A belated thanks a millon for that David, really good to know.


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