National Insurance for Spouse Visa during Covid-19

[Artyali999]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if somebody could possibly advise us? My wife, who is a Vietnamese citizen, has now been granted a spouse visa (she's been in the UK since February). I called to arrange a National Insurance number and was advised that as the visa was issued in the UK, she would need to attend a Job Centre appointment to 'check her identity'. However, as these appointments have not been available since lockdown due to Covid-19, she is unable to get a NI number until they make appointments available again. I was also advised that she could work legally for 3 months without the NI number...but obviously that poses a problem as no employer is going to want to take her on knowing she can only work for 3 months.

It seems crazy that the UK government, having checked her identity repeatedly for the Fiancée visa and the Spouse Visa, holding her biometrics for her BRP card, now won't issue her a NI number for her to be able to work. I was wondering if other people had similar circumstances?

Many thanks!

[seagul]

A person with right to work has been allowed to start working from ever since even without having his/her NI number, but unfortunately most of the employers don't hire until you have got that one. There are few discussions over this issue along with the HMRC reply, which you can read at below that might give you an idea as how others are coping up.

https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/forums/cu ... 155d973b50

[Artyali999]

Thanks for the reply. It seems there are many others stuck in limbo. On our letter from the Home Office, they state that they're introducing NI numbers on the back of BRP cards for people in any Tier 2 category or refugee status. But sadly for anybody else, we're stuck.

[seagul]

Thanks for the reply. It seems there are many others stuck in limbo. On our letter from the Home Office, they state that they're introducing NI numbers on the back of BRP cards for people in any Tier 2 category or refugee status. But sadly for anybody else, we're stuck.

Other than keep contacting to HMRC/local job centre whilst persuading to the prospective employer, there is no other solution, I am afraid.