15 December 2020 
Julia Ascott, Employment Taxes Specialist
Due to COVID-19, DWP can only provide NINO services to applicants who have been granted permission to work in the UK by the Home Office prior to them coming to the UK. For all other applicants their identity and right to work is normally confirmed by DWP at a face-to-face interview. Due to the pandemic, it has been necessary to temporarily suspend this face-to-face service and a virtual service is not possible as documents need to be checked. However, DWP is developing a digital solution in order to reintroduce the process.
For employers, HMRC requires NINOs as soon as possible, however, given the delays set out above, HMRC agree that employers can employ someone before they receive their NINO, provided they can confirm they are legally entitled to work in the UK.
