Karl Poe

Catch 22 when moving to the UK

Most Britons don’t think of it twice (and why would they?) but their country is rigged with catch 22 situations for people, trying to move to the UK.

Here are couple examples:

1. In order to get a national insurance number, you have to be working. However, in order to get a work, a lot of employers will require national insurance number on a job application;

2. In order to register as a freelancer, you have to have a national insurance number. However, in order to get a national insurance number you either need to work or be registered as a freelancer;

3. In order to open a bank account you need proof of address. However, in order to rent a house you will often need a bank account;

4. In order to get a mobile contract (so that you can use the bill as a proof of address) you need to have a bank account. However, to open one you need a proof of address.

And so on, and so forth.

It’s funny an frustrating at the same time. The only way out of this mess is really to just lie somewhere, which is what a lot of people end up doing.

So, if you’ve decided to move to the UK, get ready to play some catch 22 ;)