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opening a bank account
Opening a Bank Account
A Guide for
Non-UK
Interns or Students
Updated 19 November 2008
Added 3 December 2004
Update November 2008. This may not be the best time to be giving you cast-iron advice about banking services but we've had a go at updating this page and added some examples of bank accounts designed for foreign nationals.
Non-UK citizens who have lived in the UK for less than three years can open a current account with a cash card with most British banks.
What you will get:
-
Standard current account with a cash card and possibly a debit card.
What you will not get:
-
Student account
-
Credit card
-
Overdraft
-
Loan facilities
In order to open an account, the applicant should go to their local bank and take as many of the following items of identification that they possess:
-
UK Driving Licence (photocard or full paper only)
-
Full Passport
-
EU National Identity Card (issued by the European Community Countries)
-
Proof of address, e.g. utility bill no more than three months old
Note: banks will not accept copies, so you need to take the originals
Some banks will also require a letter from the applicant's UK college or employer confirming that they are employed by them (or a student with them) and giving the duration of the employment / course. It would be a good idea to ask your college or employer to supply you with such a reference in advance, rather than waiting for the bank to ask for it.
The following bank accounts are designed especially for foreign nationals coming to the UK to work or study:
HSBC Passport Account
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/current-accounts/passport?WT.srch=1
Has a monthly subscription charge, but you do get a debit card and
relocation advice is offered in a variety of languages.
Lloyds India Banking Service
http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts/india_banking_service.asp
If you're from India, you may like to investigate this option, which
opens an account for you with Lloyds in the UK and another with ICICI in
India. This is an excellent option if you're planning on transferring
money home, as it offers free transfers between the accounts and you can
appoint someone at home to have access to your account. Also available
for British nationals of Indian descent.
Lloyds Islamic Financial Services
http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts/islamic_account.asp
This is a Shariah approved bank account – the money you pay in will not
be used for any interest-based business activities. It's Shariah
approved by a committee of scholars who are expert in Islamic finance
law.
Natwest Polish Welcome Account
http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g1/polish-welcome-account.ashx
The UK's only bank account with full Polish-language support. It also
offers simple transfers back home.
KL/December 2004
CD/November 2008
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