NIN application

I hope this is the right place for this question.  I'm in the UK as EU citizen (dual US). I have a full time job that I started this week. I'm staying in an Airbnb for 3 weeks while I look for a flat. I called today to get my NIN since I can't open a bank account without it.
The appointment is for next Friday where I need to bring passport and proof of address. Has anyone ever used an Airbnb agreement as proof of address? I am renting from him.
I'm stuck in a cycle now that I need the bank account to get paid and get flat but I can't get bank account without NIN.  I was shocked when he said it would be 4-6 weeks to get NIN after the appointment.


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You don't have to have an NIN to get a bank account. Perhaps it's just the bank you're trying to get an account with? I certainly didn't need one for mine.


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But you do need proof of address for a bank account. Sorry. Forgot about that one.


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Getting a bank account here is trial by fire into the way the UK does things.

You do NOT need a NINo for this.  For certain (just recently helped an employee get a bank account and it was a nightmare, she did not have her NI number yet).  You DO need a piece of mail with you address on it.

I had a hell of a time.  I was in corporate housing and needed a bank account to sign a lease.... but needed a lease to get a bank account!  UGH!!

If you have a piece of mail addressed to you at your Airbnb, you'll be golden.

Good luck!  I found Lloyds "easiest" to work with, as did my employee.

I'll second that on Lloyds. They were definitely easier to work with than some of the horror stories I've seen on here.


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I was able to open a bank account before even applying for my national insurance number (while I was still on my fiance visa).

I'm not positive this would count as proof of address, but I don't see why not...

You can request for DVLA forms to be sent to you. They come with a short letter with the address you provide on them.

https://www.gov.uk/dvlaforms

Also handy if you'll be applying for a UK provisional licence eventually.

This is great information. It's an account with HSBC so that I can link my US account with it and transfer money without fees. I'll reach out to the banker and ask again.
I'll also request the forms to have something. But I'm worried about the interview for the NIN, he said a lease agreement or a letter that I was renting from someone. Hope the Airbnb guy will do the signed letter since the Airbnb agreement isn't signed.
I may check out Lloyds though to just get an account opened in the meantime for my paycheck. Thanks!


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