NIN?

Just curious-How important is it to register for a NIN?
And How will I do this once I enter the country on my fiance' visa?

Was looking around the forum and couldn't find any sticky's

You need a national insurance number if you intend to work so the correct amount if tax can be deducted from your paycheck. It is not necessary to have one before you start a job. 

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-number

In general, you only need to apply for a NIN when you start looking for work (or if you need it for a specific reason, like opening an ISA savings account, or to claim benefits or a student loan (but you won't be eligible for those last two until you have ILR anyway))... and as it will be illegal for you to work until after you are married, it's probably not something you need to worry too much about just yet.

Normally you apply for a NIN through the Job Centre (I think you may need to show that you are looking for work in order to get one) - you can find information about it here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ni/intro/number.htm (as well as in the link that Anonymiss posted)

A national insurance number is used to calculate the correct amount of tax and national insurance contributions that you need to pay out of your employment income. So, if you're not working (and you don't need it for any other reason), it's not that important to apply for one.

You can actually start working without a NIN, but you will be charged a higher tax rate until you have it... also a lot of employers ask for your NIN when you apply for a job, so it's a good idea to get one sooner rather than later when you have permission to work in the UK.

when you go to apply for your ILR I read somewhere that they check to see if you have been paying NI , now if you have not been working you have not been paying,,, does that mean you have to get in touch with them and pay since you have been here ? or you only pay if you work ?

What you have read is not true.  UKBA does not check to see if you have been paying NI.

and as it will be illegal for you to work until after you are married, it's probably not something you need to worry too much about just yet.

This, definitely.

I found the process to be pretty painless, having just applied for mine not too long ago.  Basically, give JobCentre Plus a ring.  Tell them you want to apply for a National Insurance number.  They'll ask you some basic questions over the phone (where are you from, what visa are you on, why do you want an NIN, contact information, etc.), and then they will mail you a postal application.

You fill the application out, and mail it off along with copies of your passport and visa.

You might need to attend an interview, as I seem to remember reading on my application that they are required if you had applied for a visa from within the UK, but I'm not 100% sure (also not sure if FLR counts toward that).  Anyway, I didn't need one.

If you do, the links provided give a good indication of what kind of documentation you would need to bring.

I went to the JobCentre today and all the guy did was give me a phone number to ring to make an appointment for an interview.    I was able to use their phones (there'd be a charge from a mobile).

They just asked what visa I was on (FLR), if I'd applied for a NIN before, my name, my date of birth and date of arriving in the UK.  Then they asked my postcode and gave me an appointment (three weeks away- after Christmas) at a specific location at a specific time.  I didn't seem to have any say in where or when.    But seeing as I'm not working now, I've free basically all the time and am not bothered by at 10.55a appointment a half hour away. 

She didn't say anything about posting me an application, but she did take my address, so maybe something is coming.    The guy at the JobCentre didn't have an application I could take to fill out before the appointment. 

I might have to reschedule as my BRP is with the DVLA now (getting my provisional licence) but the lady said to just bring whatever paperwork I can- definitely my passport, proof of address and BRP (if I have it back).

   I had an appointment at a Job Center Plus yesterday to apply for a NI#. Being a "non-citizen", I was told that I had to do an interview, so that I could prove who I am, and therefore couldn't just go to any of their offices. It was an exciting adventure!! ..... emmmmm...... that is, if you like traveling by train for 4 1/2 hours in the rain.... which I did. Though, of course, it won't be like that for everyone.  Basically, their are numerous Job Center Plus locations in the UK, but there are only 53 where you can do an interview. Sadly, only 5 of these are in Wales, where I live.

   Anyhoo..... the good news was, 1) When I phoned for an appointment, I was able to get an appointment almost right away, and 2) When I got to my appointment, an hour early because of having to take the train, I was seen within 5 minutes! It took about an hour and I brought all kinds of documents, including BRP, Passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, marriage & divorce certificates from previous marriage, bank account statement, all of which they made copies of. The one thing I didn't have that they asked for, was my husbands NIN (who knew?!), but it wasn't a problem since they said most people didn't bring that information anyway. Then the lady had to fill out something like a 6 page form for me (thank goodness I didn't have to!). After that, I had to go an wait  in the sitting area for another several minutes while she double checked all my documents.

   When she was done, she returned my documents and told me that, though it normally takes about 10 days to receive your NIN in the mail (she said they have to send your application and documents off to the Isle of Wight where they double check your info - I assume against some US database -  to make sure your really who you say you are, etc) ..... what with the Christmas holidays, and the fact that their backed up right now as well, it's actually going to be a 3-4 week wait! D'OH! Oh well..... it is the Holiday season and I suppose no ones really hiring right now anyway. But just wanted to pass on that experience for others! 

I thought this thread was going to be about Nine Inch Nails for some reason.

Thanks for letting us know what happened, Pale Panther!    I had no idea what to expect!  I'll be sure to bring all documents I can think of and DH's NIN (why would they need that??).

No problem my dear TravelingFrog. I have no idea why they asked for my hubbies NIN either, but I suppose bring it if you can!

Just a note on the ISA savings account - I was able to open a Cash e-ISA at NatWest while on a limited leave Tier 1 PSW visa. I think the key there is "cash" as I was not permitted to consider other/standard ISAs or any other investments.

Also, once you get your NI# and start work, do check your tax code on your paycheck. I was on an emergency code for at least 6 months and was being taxed at a slightly higher rate than I should have been. If that does happen though it's a quick fix - just call up HMRC, get the code changed (took me 5 min), and wait for your tax refund if you're owed one.