My NIN interview experience....

I went for my NIN interview yesterday.  Here's the rundown:

I had to wait for an appointment for about 3 weeks (at the Newcastle Job Centre Plus).  Also, it seems that Newcastle subscribes to the "you can't apply unless you have a job offer" line of thought as another member of the forum tried to get an appointment (she has been shortlisted for a job), but was told to wait until she has a firm offer.

I assembled the following evidence:

1.  My passport
2.  My husband's passport
3.  Our marriage certificate
4.  My birth certificate
5.  Letters from my job citing my start date, position, and salary
6.  My NHS card
7.  My NC driver's license
8.  My SSN card
9.  My one and only payslip

Obviously this wasn't all needed, or even relevant...but I like to be prepared!

I arrived at 9:50 or so, but the building was still locked.  I stood outside with about 20 men.  They all stared at me (surely because I was the only woman and I wasn't wearing a track suit like they all were!).  I felt extremely uncomfortable, but that was my problem, not theirs.   Anyway, the doors were unlocked at 10 and we were ushered inside.  I was directed upstairs and was told to sit and wait for my name to be called.  I was called in after about 30 seconds (talk about service!). 

The guy who interviewed me was very professional and friendly.  He asked to see my passport and letters from my job.  He then filled out a form which just asked for basic info (address, birthdate,  previous addresses, date of our wedding, etc.).  He wanted the dates that I'd been in and out of the UK and was extremely impressed that I'd already written them down (Hello!  Thanks to the forum!).  He wanted to know what sort of ties I had to the UK--had I opened a bank account, registered with a doctor, did we rent or own, etc., and wrote those things down. 

Once the form was filled out, he took my passport, payslip, and employer letter to another room and was gone for about 25 minutes (he said he'd be gone for 15-20 min, so I guess this is a usual part of the process).  He came back and I signed copies of the letter, payslip, and the passport page with my spousal visa on it.  He then gave me a letter stating that I'd applied for the NIN and said I'd have my number in 2 weeks and my NIN card in 6-7 weeks.

Overall, no sweat!  No more paperwork (I hope!) until I apply for my ILR next September! 

Overall, the process took about an hour (including the 25 minutes he was out of the office!). 

That is great, Lola.  Can you believe it was relatively painless?  Should I have my parents send over my birth certificate and SSN card or were those included in the 'things that weren't needed?' 

Did you wear a suit?

That is great, Lola.  Can you believe it was relatively painless?  Should I have my parents send over my birth certificate and SSN card or were those included in the 'things that weren't needed?' 

Did you wear a suit?

I'm so glad it was painless!  After the bank account nightmare, I was ready for anything!

You should have your parents send your birth certificate...you probably won't need it for the NIN, but you'll need it for other things, like getting some name changes, etc.  Just a handy thing to have around, really.  I don't know why I took my SSN card!  I guess I just feel like I need it whenever I apply for something "official" even though it's pretty meaningless over here!

I just wore casual clothes...cargo pants and a white top and sandals.  Everyone else was really casual...track suits and baseball caps, etc., though the employees were dressed professionally.

In my opinion, the NIN interview is another one of those things we obsess about and then, once it's over, we go "What?!  I was nervous about THAT???"...kinda like the spousal visa!   

Your experience was simliar to mine, Lola. Very easy breazy.

Congrats on doing it. It's really cool to get the card. Little blue/red/white thingy. I love mine.

Is it possible to schedule an interview with them before getting to the UK?  I would like to schedule one now, so that when I get there the last week of August I can go for my appointment. 

As a British citizen, can I just bring with me an employer letter, British passport and UK birth certificate?

Cheers,
bvamin

Is it possible to schedule an interview with them before getting to the UK?  I would like to schedule one now, so that when I get there the last week of August I can go for my appointment. 

As a British citizen, can I just bring with me an employer letter, British passport and UK birth certificate?

Cheers,
bvamin

I really don't know, bvamin.  Based on everything I've read here, it seems that every single DWP office does it differently, so it'd probably be best to call the one that you want to go to and see what they say.  Good luck!

I think one thing people need to know is that they are not required to have an NIN when they start working. I didnt' have one for the better part of a year. A temporary number was given to me and a higher amount of tax was taken from my paycheque. If you don't have an NIN before you start working then you needn't freak out. Get the job and then go apply for your number. It'll probably be a lot easier that way anyways since, like Lola said, most DWP offices work differently but they'll all give you a number if you're working.

When in doubt, call up your local jobcentre and they'll make sure you've got the facts straight.

Thanks Lola!!!  You always seem to ease my mind right when I need it   My interview is on 3 September, I'll be ready!

Great news Lola!  Congrats.  I too am heading into that territory.  I called the social security office here in Swansea.  I was told to get a job first.  But I will be working temp jobs for a while first.  It doesn't really change the situation any.  But its still great to hear you had a good experience.  Can I ask one question for clarification though?  You mentioned that they asked for the dates you and entered and left the country.  Did they want that information from the date you moved here permanently or did they need all of the dates you had come and gone since you met?  Thanks

You mentioned that they asked for the dates you and entered and left the country.  Did they want that information from the date you moved here permanently or did they need all of the dates you had come and gone since you met?  Thanks

They wanted all the times I had entered and left the UK, period.  The man said that it was the times when I was in the UK for more than 30 days that counted (none of my previous visits lasted that long), but he still wanted details of every single entrance and exit.

Got my NIN yesterday...exactly one week after the interview.  Whoo hoo!   

They wanted all the times I had entered and left the UK, period.  The man said that it was the times when I was in the UK for more than 30 days that counted (none of my previous visits lasted that long), but he still wanted details of every single entrance and exit.

I had to do that for the last thirteen years!  And the addresses that I'd lived at, and all the names that I'd used......It took forever. 

I had to do that for the last thirteen years!  And the addresses that I'd lived at, and all the names that I'd used......It took forever. 

All the names that you had used?!  Who were you in your *previous life* - Secret Squirrel?   

All the names that you had used?!  Who were you in your *previous life* - Secret Squirrel?   

If I told you, I'd have to kill you.   

They wanted all the times I had entered and left the UK, period.  The man said that it was the times when I was in the UK for more than 30 days that counted (none of my previous visits lasted that long), but he still wanted details of every single entrance and exit.

Do they ask for the same information if one is a UK citizen who does not have a NIN?  I would hope not.

bvamin