Whether you are a resident of the United Kingdom, not a resident, or traveling around a stock exchange, you can open a UK bank account; Through this article we will guide you to take the right steps to open a bank account for UK and non-UK residents.
Why do you need a bank account in Britain?
- If you work, many employers will pay their employees’ salaries electronically directly to their bank accounts.
- If you received your salary by check and you do not have a bank account, you must take it to a store with a cash register, and you will be charged for this service.
- If you have a job or job to receive your salary or pension.
- If you are unemployed to receive state unemployment benefits.
- Collect government money for your children.
- Employers do not want to pay cash for various legal and security reasons.
- to pay the rent of the house.
- To pay bills for water, electricity, gas and the internet.
- To pay house tax to the municipality or council tax.
- In general, it is difficult to live in Britain without a bank account.
Conditions for opening a bank account in the United Kingdom
- Generally, you will need a few documents to open a bank account in the UK:
- Abyss proof card.
- Address or proof of address document.
What is the proof of identity required to open an account in Britain?
- passport.
- Or a British driving license.
- or an ID card (if you are an EU citizen).
- Help book.
- or BRP (if you have refugee status).
What are the proof of address documents required to open an account in the UK?
- A lease or homeowner contract.
- A recent electricity or gas bill (less than 3 months).
- A recent bank or credit card statement (less than 3 months old) not printed online.
- The current council tax bill.
- Even a letter from the employer, provided it is not more than three months old.
- Each bank has a system to accept its own proof of address.
How to open a bank account in the UK
- After preparing the necessary documents and papers:
- If you want to open a bank account, you must first choose the right bank for you.
- Banks offer different accounts, each with different terms and conditions.
- The bank will arrange an interview for you and decide which type of account is best for you.
- The bank will ask you to provide some details, such as your date of birth, marital status and time of arrival in the UK, as well as details of your income.
How much does it cost to open a bank account in Britain?
It’s free if it’s a basic account, and one of the free services is also the use of most ATMs.
How to open a bank account for non-residents in Britain?
- Can I open a bank account before arriving in the UK? Yes, of course you can do this in the following ways:
- Many of the major UK banks have so-called international accounts designed specifically for non-residents, so if you do not have documents proving your UK address, this is a good option for you.
If your current bank (in your country) has a banking relationship with a UK bank, you can open an account yourself. Or it has a branch in your country, like HSBC International Bank.
Your nationality also plays an important role. If you are an EU citizen, it is easier to open a bank account in the UK than to open a bank account in a country outside the EU.
How to open an external bank account without traveling abroad
In fact, you can apply online for an international account with the following list of international bank accounts from several well-known banks in the United Kingdom:
- Lloyds Bank.
- HSBC Bank.
- NatWest Bank NatWest.
All offer international bank accounts. However, opening a bank account or an international account abroad is not the right option; you have to make a large initial deposit and make a promise to pay an amount every month.
In addition to these requirements, some banks will also charge a monthly fee, which can make opening and managing your bank account expensive, especially if you do not already have a business. There may be other restrictions.
The best bank in Britain for students
These are the websites of some of the major banks operating in the UK:
- HSBC.
- Nat Wes.
- Bank of Scotland.
- Barclays.
- RBS.
- Lloyds Bank.
- Halifax.
- Santander.
- Bank of Ireland.
- Ulster Bank.
- nationwide.