Thanks for the update!
I am feeling a bit out of the loop though. Where can I find info on the National Insurance to make an appointment?
I was of the understanding I got it automatically on my spousal visa and that $500 of my total was going towards it. LOL
Perhaps you could shed some light?
Thanks!
You're getting things a bit mixed up here.
The £600 ($900) extra that you paid for the visa was a contribution towards any future NHS healthcare treatment you may have in the UK in the next 2.5 years. When you register with a UK GP at a doctor's surgery, you will be issued with an NHS number, which is simply an identifier of your medical records in their computer system (British citizens born in the UK are issued with one at birth).
The National Insurance number is something completely different and has nothing to do with then £600 NHS levy you paid.
Your National Insurance number is what they use to determine your tax code for employment in the UK and to make sure you are taxed the right amount of money from your paycheque when you are working. If you work in the UK, you will pay both income tax and National Insurance contributions - National Insurance contributions go towards certain income-based benefits, such as your government pension, maternity allowance, jobseeker's allowance etc.. If you aren't working, you can also pay voluntary NI contributions towards these things to avoid/fill gaps in it and to top up your pension.
UK citizens/residents of the UK who have grown up in the UK will automatically receive a National Insurance number when they turn 16 years old (which is when they can start working full-time). However, people who move to the UK later in life have to apply for a National Insurance number when they move here, which may involve an interview, and it can only be done from inside the UK after you have moved.
While it is technically possible to start working before you have an NI number, you may not be taxed at the correct rate until you have one, and it can be a bit of a hassle to get it sorted out later... also, most companies ask for your NI number when you apply for jobs/are offered a job, so it's best to get it done as soon as you can.
See here:
https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/overviewand how to apply for an NI number:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-numberOh... and Thank You To Everyone for all your help and support during these stressful months!
My plane leaves tomorrow and I'm soooo super excited to be reunited with my husband again... FOR GOOD!!! <3
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Congrats on getting the visa and good luck with your move to the UK

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