National Insurance Number, guide 2020 UK

If you have come this far it is because you are thinking of going to live in the United Kingdom. And like us or anyone who has gone to work in the UK, you have had to go through the process of getting the NIN National Insurance Number. And we know how to do this procedure being new in the country and without speaking English, it can seem like a world. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When it comes to getting the National Insurance Number, you don't have to worry, it's quick and easy.

Just follow this post and don't miss a thing about what the NIN is, necessary documents, interview tricks and much more so that getting the NIN is not a problem.

1. What is the NIN (National Insurance Number)?
2. Documentation required for the NIN (National Insurance Number)
3. How to request it
4. First interview
5. Location
6. Second interview
7. Tips

1. What is the NIN (National Insurance Number)?
It is the equivalent of the Spanish Social Security number. An identification number for UK Social Security.

And ... what is it for?

Well, very easy, with this number you can be legally hired, making it easier for you to find a job. It also has other tax uses, but that we are totally unaware of.

In short, if you get the National Insurance Number it will be easier for you to be hired and find a job in Bournemouth or anywhere in the UK.

2. Documentation required for the NIN (National Insurance Number)
We will only need three things to get the NIN National Insurance Number.

Passport
You just need to check that it is not expired and ready.

English phone number
You will need both to request an appointment from Spain and from the UK, as well as so that they can contact you in case they need it. We used the Giff Gaff company and we had no problems and we paid very little. We tell you everything in this post.

Proof of Address
You can present the rental contract, electricity or water bills, or the same confirmation letter for the NIN appointment that the government sends you. Don't worry if you change your address the day after you get your NIN.

3. How to request it

A simple phone call to this number will be enough: 0800 141 2075 and during these hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

From the moment you make an appointment, until you have to go to the Job Center, it can take from 1 to 3 weeks.

There are people who ask for the appointment from Spain, to get the NIN the same week that they have arrived. But we will tell you that in tips and tricks.

When you call the first time, you'll have to answer basic questions asking for your personal information. And also where they will tell you by phone the place, date and time of the appointment with an official at a Job Center. Do not be ashamed to ask that the place, date and time be repeated if you are not sure you have understood.

Here we leave you the real interview, translated into Spanish that they will do when you call.

4. First interview
[As soon as you make the call, the next automatic recorded phrase skips]

Welcome to Job Center Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions. Please be aware that this call may incur a charge. You will be charged at the rate set by your service provider. This is the NIN National Insurance Number allocation service. Your call may be monitored or recorded for legal or training purposes and to help us improve our services.
If you have already applied for a NIN National Insurance Number, please press 1.
For all other inquiries, please press 2.

Welcome to the Job Center Plus, part of the Department of Work and Pensions. Please note that this call may not be free. You will be charged the fee stipulated by your telephone operator. This is the NIN assignment service for social security numbers. Your call may be monitored or recorded for legal or training purposes and to help us improve our services.
If you already have a NIN Social Security number, press 1.
For any other query, press 2.

[PRESS THE KEY NUMBER 2]

If you need to apply for a National Insurance Number, please press 1.
If you need to re-book an appointment or have an inquiry regarding a National Insurance Number appointment you have already made, please press 2.
For all other National Insurance Number queries, including if you have lost your National Insurance Number, press 3.

To request a Social Security number, please press 1.
To change the date of your appointment or any questions about an appointment that has already been assigned to you, please press 2.
For any other questions, including if you have lost your Social Security number, press 3.

[PRESS KEY NUMBER 1]
[Double ringtones sound]

Good morning, XXX speaking, how can I help?
Good morning, XXX speaking, how can I help you?
Hello, I would like to apply for my National Insurance Number.
Hello, I would like to request my Social Security number.

Ok, are you in the UK at the moment?
Ok, are you currently in the UK?
And it is.
Yes [If you say otherwise, they will tell you to call back when you are]

Perfect. Have you applied before?
Perfect. Have you requested the number before?
No, it’s the first time.
It's not the first time.

Ok, so why do you need the NIN National Insurance Number please?
Okay. Please, can you tell me why you want the Social Security number?
I'm looking for a job and I need the number to work.
I am looking for a job and I need the number to be able to work. [This is the correct answer]

No problem. What nationality are you?
No problem. What is your nationality?
Spanish.
Spanish (OR YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN).

Do you have any other nationalities?
Do you have any other nationality?
No.
No. [If you have dual nationality you will have to say it]

How long have you been here? When did you come to the UK?
How long have you been in the country? When did you come to the UK?
A fews day ago / Last week / Two weeks ago.
A few days ago / Last week / Two weeks ago.

Okay. So what is your surname please? Your last name.
Okay. Can you tell me your last names? Your last name
(IF NECESSARY PLEASE DELETE IT)

Okay. What is your date of birth please?
Okay. What is your birth date?

Okay. What is your first name please?
Okay. What is your name?
(IF NECESSARY PLEASE DELETE IT)

Okay. And your post code please?
Okay. And what is your zip code please?
(THE POST CODE YOU HAVE IN UK)

Okay. And what is your address please?
Okay. And what is your address please?
(STREET AND NUMBER)

Thank you. And have you got a contact telephone number please?
Thank you. And do you have a contact phone please?
(IT IS ONLY VALID TO GIVE ENGLISH PHONE NUMBER)

Thank you. So, are you looking for a job at the moment?
Thank you. Are you currently looking for a job?
And it is.
Yes (IF YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR OR BEING WORKED IN BLACK, ANSWER YES ALSO).

And do you have any disabilities or health problems?
And do you have any disability or health problems?
No.
No (IF NOT, SPECIFY THAT YOU DO).

Okay. So I just need to give you a reference number first of all for your application, so if you will like to write down this number please?
Okay. Now the first thing I have to do is give you your application reference number, so please, could you please write it down
Okay.
Okay.

The reference number is: XXX
Your reference number is: XXX
Okay.
[Sign it up!]

So I am going to look up now to what appointments we have available, ok? So just one moment please.
Now I'm going to look for what appointments we have available, okay? Please wait a moment.
Okay.

The nearest place you can have the appointment done is the job center in XXX.
The closest place where we can offer you an appointment is at the Job Center in XXX.
Okay.
JUDGE IT.

The next available appointment we have is on the XXX at XXX
The next available shift is XXX at XXX.
Okay.
(THIS IS THE TIME TO CHANGE THE DATE IF IT DOESN'T GO WELL)

Do you know where the Job Center in XXX is? Or would like the address?
Do you know where the XXX Job Center is? Or would you like me to give you the address?
Yes please, tell me the address.
Yes please give me the address.

The post code is XXX and the address is XXX.
The postal code is XXX and the address is XXX.
Ok, thank you.
[Write it down !! If you don't understand it nothing happens. You can always Google the address of the Job Center that you have been told]

Ok, when you go there you have to bring along with your passport and a proof of address, and anything that you have from where we can get your identity.
Ok, so when you go you have to take your passport and a document showing your address (Proof of address) and any other documents you have where we can obtain your identity.
Ok, no problem.
OK no problem.

So just to remind you, the appointment will be on the XXX at XXX in the Job Center in XXX, is that ok?
Well just to remind you, your appointment will be on XXX at XXX in the Job Center of XXX, is that okay?
Yes, it’s ok.
Yes, that's fine with me.

Ok perfect Thank you for your call. Bye.
Okay, perfect. Thanks for your call. Goodbye.
Bye!

During this telephone interview, they do not care if you know English or not, their job is to make an appointment, not make sure that you are qualified with a good level of English to work.

So if you do not understand something because they have changed the order of the questions or for whatever reason, ask them to repeat it and they will do it without problems. They don't fault the language.

5. Location
We from the United Kingdom choose Bournemouth, in the south of England, so here we leave you the closest Job Center, which is in Southampton. Also the timetables and duration of the train and the price of the tickets. To find out where the Job Centers are in other cities in the UK, go to this post where they give you the addresses of the main cities in the UK.

In the image below the map with the link of where the Bournemouth train station is.

Imagen del Job Center en Southampton.

Ticket Price: about 12 pounds
Duration: 30-40 minutes

You can buy tickets at the same station or online at these links:

1. The train line

2. South Western Railway

6. Second interview
Here you will meet an English speaking official face to face and he will tell you to fill out some papers.

This is easy, since you will only have to write down information that you will find in your ID and / or passport. Come on, that more than an interview, is going to sign four documents.

In the interview they will ask you:
-Names last names.
-Name / s of your parents.
-Address of where you lived in Spain.
-Passport number.
-English phone number.
-Your current address.

This interview lasts about 10-15 minutes.

And its cost is totally free.

After this you will automatically have the provisional NIN. You will have to wait about 2 weeks until the original arrives.

7. Tips and tricks
-You can request the appointment from Spain, for this we recommend this post, where they explain how to do it.


-For the personal interview you have the option of requesting a translator. And this does not affect you at all to get the NIN or not.

-Don't be afraid to ask them to repeat things you don't understand about the interview, both on the phone and in person, they are more than used to talking to people who don't know any English. So don't be left with doubts about anything.


-If you need it for the telephone interview, put the conversation that we left up right in front and follow it in real time.