Discovering the U.K.

Page 12

Registrations

National Insurance Number

To work in the U.K., a National Insurance Number is required. It is a system in which every

worker has to pay a certain percentage of their income (depending on their wage) toward the

cost of certain state benefits. Visit

for more

information. The procedure for obtaining a National Insurance Number is also set out on

their website.

Please ask your HR representative if your employer is applying for this on your behalf before

engaging in the application process. Your employer may be able to apply on your behalf,

using the "Fast Path" route. If your employer cannot help, then the initial application is made

by telephone at 0345 602 1491. Following this telephone call, you may receive a letter

asking you to attend an office for an interview where you will be asked about your

circumstances and why you require a National Insurance Number. The letter will also detail

which documents you need to bring to the interview with you.

Required Documents may include:



Passport



Identification Card (if available)



Proof of Employment – employment contract or official letter of appointment



Proof of Home Address – either tenancy agreement, invoice of hotel, or short letter

from landlord confirming occupancy

Helpful Hint:

It is critical that the spelling of your name is exactly the same on all of

the required documentation.

Driving Licence

If you have a full, valid driving licence issued in your home country, you will be able to drive

in the U.K. for 12 months before needing to exchange your licence, or take a U.K. driving

test. Continuing to drive on your licence after the 12-month period is illegal and subject to

prosecution. You will need to prepare to take your driving test prior to the 12-month deadline,

and you may also need to take driving lessons. Further information can be found at

Helpful Hint:

In some areas of the U.K. there can be long waiting lists for driving

lessons and test dates, therefore it is advisable to plan for this within nine months

of arrival in the U.K.

EU/EEC Licence:

If you hold a full licence issued in a country within the European Union (EU) or European

Economic Community (EEC), you can drive in the U.K. on your original licence until it

expires, without having to exchange it or retake your driving test. Your licence will expire

when you turn 70 or three years after you become a resident in the U.K. (whichever is

longer). You must pass a U.K. driving test if you want to carry on driving after this point.