NI number question

[speedy_thrills]

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen (all of the above and none of the above, as you'd prefer),

I'm British but never worked in the UK previously. I've been offered a role in the UK but don't yet have an NI number (apparently this takes 16 weeks to issue!) Will I need to wait for the NI number before accepting a role or is there a way to side-step the 16 week wait?

Much appreciated.

[Parbold milkperson]

How old are you? Where did you live when you were age 16?

[craigjm]

Yea if you lived in the U.K. when you were 16 you would have been issued a number and they can find it for you. If not then you can start a job with evidence that you have the right to work in the U.K. and pay NI on catch up much like an emergency tax code

[parabolica]

You can start work without one. There are significant delays in obtaining a NI number right now as the gov have been unable to complete in in-person ID check that is required for every application due to COVID. They’re supposed to be working on a work-around but it’s still not been released. We’ve got two people at work who joined us from elsewhere in the EU last year and still haven’t got their numbers despite doing everything they possibly can.

[speedy_thrills]

Parbold milkperson said:

How old are you? Where did you live when you were age 16?

UK but I've confirmed that I was never issued with an NI number for one reason or another so needed to apply to have one issued.

Getting the equivalent number in New Zealand is 2 working days with an online application but in the UK it takes 16 weeks and must be done by post. If I'd known I'd have submitted my application much earlier.

[Sheepshanks]

speedy_thrills said:

UK but I've confirmed that I was never issued with an NI number for one reason or another so needed to apply to have one issued.

Normally what happens is when child benefit is claimed a Child Reference Number (CRN) is issued. This is your NI number. So most people in the UK have them from shortly after birth. I suppose if child benefit isn't claimed - not everyone does claim it - then the CRN wouldn't be generated.

Going back some years my missus used to work for the Contributions Agency when it was separate HMRC. I recall her visiting someone (around 30yrs old IIRC) who ran the family farm and didn't have an NI number. She's out at the moment so I can't ask her about it but I recall it being a big thing.