Forums > Help! > UK - National Insurance Numbers

Situation: I'm doing a PhD and getting a tax-free stipend. Now I'll start a demonstrating-like job that'll earn me about 500 pounds over 10 months contract, and I've been asked to find out about a NI number. I've called them up to ask if I need one for it, and the lady on the phone said "have you been born in this country?". When I said "no", she said "dial this number, they'll be busy and you'll probably not get through but be patient".

I've been patient for nearly 2 hours now, and wondering if any of you can tell me if I need that number at all? That's all I want to know for now

(NOT impressed with having to deal with the phone line for foreign people that everyone KNOWS doesn't work to the capacity that's required...)

"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)

Owner of Dragosani's left half

Gayle.....!

PK.

"To be an angel, one need not have wings.
In giving love there is an equal grace.
Nor need one seek the aura in the face,
As love unveils the beauty of all things."

*Francois Couperin.

Thanks Gayle and pk

Finally got through to her... it seems it's very unlikely I'll have to pay national insurance, but I still need a number, so I have to attend a 30 minute interview

whatever... I didn't need any permission for my PhD, nor for the summer placement (paid) I had 3 years ago, so I didn't expect anything to come up.

Someone could teach them some style though, she basically said "and if you're unable to produce that and that (document), we'll kick you out the door", about 3 times, each time for a different document I'd already told her I had. The 3rd time I said something along the lines of "I have the contract lying here in front of me, so there is really no need for you to kick me out the door", and she suddenly turned nice

Bureaucracy...

"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)

Owner of Dragosani's left half