NIM39625 - National Insurance Numbers (NINOs): Special Cases: NINOs issued in the Channel Islands

People arriving from the Channel Islands are treated as if they have come from abroad.

There is a Social Security Agreement between the UK and Jersey and Guernsey. See NIM33015.

For the purpose of this agreement:

• UK means England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
• Jersey means the Island of Jersey
• Guernsey means Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Jethou.

Sark is not included in this agreement.

NINOs allocated in the Channel Islands have a JY or GY prefix according to where they were issued. If the number was issued in Jersey the prefix is JY and if it was allocated in Guernsey it is GY. These numbers are not valid in the UK

If the customer already has a fully NIRS maintained UK NI account they should continue to use that. Otherwise customers arriving from the Channel Islands and requesting a NINO will need to satisfy the criteria of working or claiming benefit before being able to apply to Jobcentre plus for an Evidence of Identity interview and registration for a UK NINO. See NIM39325.