Applying for the NIN

The National Insurance Number (NIN) is a number used in the United Kingdom in the administration of the social security system, necessary if you wish to work in the UK. People born in the UK are assigned a NIN shortly before their 16th birthday, but people like me, coming from abroad, we need to apply for it to the Department of Work and Pensions.

I have applied for mine this morning and I am going to share with you how the application process works.

• The first step is to apply for a NIN by calling 0345 600 0643 from Monday to Friday (8am-6pm). They will ask you some details such as your name, an address, telephone number, how long you've been in the UK, why you need a NIN, your nationality, if you have double nationality...
• Schedule the appointment with the Jobcentre representative. Depending how busy the Jobcentre is, the appointment could be the following day... or in a weeks time. When I first called, they scheduled my appointment for the following day. I told them I could only make it on Fridays and they didn't have any slot that week. I was told that appointments were given week by week and that I should call the following week to schedule the appointment. However, I am not sure if this is entirely true because when I called the second time, we agreed to schedule the appointment in a weeks time. NOTE: Write down the reference number in case you need to reschedule the appointment.
• The appointment will be at the closest Jobcentre to where you live. The one in Bristol city centre is at the Eagle House, 16 St Stephen's Street (BS1 1JR). The offices are open Monday to Friday (8.30am-5pm) and you will have to go to the second floor. There, you will be called by one of the agents. You will be asked to provide your passport and a proof of address (a utility bill, for example) during the interview so make sure you bring it. They will also ask you for all the addresses where you have lived during your time in the UK, so remember to bring them too.
• You will receive your NIN at the address you have provided within two weeks. Make sure you don't lose it!

My appointment was at 8.30am but do not arrive earlier as the Jobcentre will be closed. It was the best excuse to have a coffee at the beautiful coffee-shop opposite the Jobcentre. At sharp 8.30am, door opened. Personally, the process of applying the NIN was a very fluent process and the agent was a very kind and friendly guy. I haven't received my NIN yet so as soon as I have it, I would be able to certify that it arrives within two weeks. Bear with me! :)

Need a cab?

Do you take a taxi very often? If you do, would you use Uber instead? Uber is an on-demand car service application that allows to request private drivers through your smartphone, for a cheaper rate and probably faster. The service utilizes dispatch software to send the nearest driver within the database to your location and you will be charged directly to the credit card stored in your Uber account instead of paying to the driver by cash.

I learnt about Uber when I was in London visiting a very good friend. I don't normally use a taxi to get around but underground works left us no choice. Instead of calling a normal taxi, my friend ordered a private car through Uber and I must admit that I was impressed how fast the car arrive to our location and how luxurious the car looked. Apparently, you can choose the vehicle type depending on your needs: budget option, luxury option, a car for 6 passengers... and my friend likes everything over-the-top! ;)

This application started in San Francisco (CA) in 2009 and has since spread across the world. So far in the UK, it is only available in Manchester and London. However, Bristol Post said it may not be long before it arrives to Bristol.

This system has created some controversy, specially between the taxi driver's community. London cab drivers, for example, claim that this way of working constitutes a taxi meter and the law states that only black cabs are allowed to use this type of meter in London. Transport for London, on the other hand, says that Uber is doing nothing illegal.

Travelers are also concerned about their safety even though they'd be able to see driver's name and picture before booking the vehicle. In addition, the customer does not know the exact final fare. Uber gives you the estimate instead as costs are determined by the time taken and distance traveled. 

Tell us what you think: Would you use Uber service if it worked in Bristol? 

INTERESTING LINKS

• Bristol Post: What is Uber? How does it work?
• WikiHow: How to use Uber