Spouse visa - 2 to 14 days after arrival pick up a card?

[help123]

Hi

My wife was told by CFO Manila that between 2 and 14 days after arriving in UK, she needs to apply for some sort of residency card.

I looked on the gov site and it says residency card is only issued after 5 years.

Does anyone know what card we need to get?

Thanks

[raynaputi]

No, she's not required to get one when she arrives. I wish those CFO workers would stop telling things like that. :doh It might be the case for other countries, but definitely not for the ones going to UK. When it's time for your wife to apply for her visa extension (28 days before she reaches her 30th month here in the UK) or FLR(M), then she'd be able to apply for the BRP card (Biometric Residence Permit). The form for that will be included in the FLR(M) form. The BRP card is the one given instead of stamping the visa to her passport.

Read more from here: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits

[help123]

So she doesn't need to get a BRP now in order to get a job here?

[raynaputi]

No she doesn't. What she needs is NI number in order to get a job.

[help123]

She already has a NI number as was in the UK previously for 4 years. So will that still be ok?

She is worried because her old card displayed that she was legally allowed to work and she no longer has anything like that - the visa in the passport doesn't state that

[raynaputi]

I think she can retain her NI number (others will correct me if I'm wrong). One person can only be given one NI number. I think she'll just have to inform the HMRC of the change in circumstances.

Read more from here: https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/overview