^{Updated: September 2020}

Many who arrived in the UK since the COVID-19 pandemic started have not been able to apply for National Insurance (NI) numbers. This is a situation faced by everyone in the UK because the Jobcentres are closed due to the pandemic.

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Typical way to apply for NI ⦁ 正常情況下點樣申請 NI

1. Call 0800 141 2075.
2. After the woman went on and on, press 2 because Hong Kongers are non EU nationals but need NI as we are looking for work.
3. Get ready your full name, full address (where you live now) and postcode, contact telephone number
4. Then they will put your through to an agent and you can apply for NI on the phone.

No one can get NI during the pandemic ⦁ 因為疫情冇人能夠申請 NI

Looks like getting an NI number right now is hard for anyone. Thousands unable to get an NI number because of coronavirus.

That story says that only people on visas are currently allowed to apply, but not British passport holders.

“Individuals can start work without a National Insurance number if they have the right to work in the UK and we are working on a solution to reopen the service soon,” a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said.

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You can work without an NI number ⦁ 冇 NI 都可以工作

如果有僱主話冇NI唔請你，可以考慮比呢條 link 佢。第三頁有個題目叫 National insurance number delays，解釋咗因為疫情有好多NI批得好遲，提醒僱主係可以請未有 NI 嘅人:

National Insurance Number delays

Due to COVID-19, the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is only able to offer a National Insurance Number (NINo) service to a limited number of applicants.

In order to allocate a NINo for employment purposes DWP has a legal requirement to confirm that the applicant has the right to work in the UK and their identity. At present it is only possible to accept applications from those who were granted permission to work in the UK by the Home Office prior to them coming to the UK. This is possible because DWP can validate these applications with the Home Office.

For all other applicants (UK/EU/EEA/citizens) who have not interacted with the Home Office, their identity and right to work is, under normal circumstances, confirmed by DWP at a face to face interview. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to temporarily suspend this face to face service.

It is not possible, due to the requirement to examine customers’ ID documents, to offer a virtual service. However, to support the reinstatement of our NINo service, DWP is developing a digital solution in order to reintroduce the process incrementally during the autumn.

Although HMRC usually wants employees to provide you with their NINo as soon as possible to make sure their National Insurance records are correct, you can employ someone before they get their NINo, provided you can confirm they are legally entitled to work in the UK. Please make sure all RTI submissions include as many other personal details as possible.

For people who have a NINo but cannot remember it, they can get confirmation of it by using either their Personal Tax Account, where they can save or print a copy of a NINo confirmation letter, or the HMRC App where they can share their “my details” page with you.

_{Image: Markus Winkler on Unsplash}