How to Open UK Bank Account without Residency Proof

How to open HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, NatWest, Standard Chartered RBS, Nationwide, Santander, and Metro Bank without residency proof.

Whether you’re thinking about moving to the UK or have already arrived, you’ll need a bank account at some point.

Initially, opening a bank account in the UK was extremely difficult for new residents. Thankfully, things have gotten slightly easier.

Types of Bank Accounts in the UK

There are numerous types of accounts in the UK, but the two that most people refer to when they say “bank account” are current and savings account.

• Current accounts are used for the majority of everyday banking transactions. This includes paying Direct Debits, mobile phone bills, utility bills, rent payments, cash deposits, and making purchases with chip and PIN or contactless.

• Savings account: A savings account is simply a place where you can deposit money and earn interest. You get immediate access to your money as well as a fixed interest rate.

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Documents Needed To Open a UK Bank Account

You’ll need two documents to open a UK bank account: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your address. Here is a list of commonly used documents. Keep in mind that each bank may have its own set of requirements.

Proof of identity: 

• Passports

• Driving licenses 

• National identity card

Proof of UK address: 

• Recent utility bill

• Rental contract

• Council tax bill 

• Recent electricity or gas bill

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How to open a bank account in the UK without proof of address?

This has to be the most frequently asked question. Many people want to open a bank account in the UK for a variety of reasons, including business or to pay the bills of family members who live there. This could rule out the possibility of you not having all of the necessary documents.

Banks, on the other hand, have become a little more flexible in terms of what documents they will accept in recent years. If you’re studying in the UK, for example, many banks will accept a letter from your university’s admissions office confirming your address.

If you’re in the UK to work, banks will accept a letter from Jobcentre Plus confirming your National Insurance number or even a letter from your employer if it’s less than three months old.

Another option you can explore is international banking. Many major UK banks offer international accounts as well. These accounts are designed specifically for non-residents, making them an excellent choice if you don’t have the necessary documents to prove your UK address.

The following are the top UK banks that provide international banking services:

• Barclays

• Lloyds

• HSBC

• NatWest

However, there are some disadvantages to opening a bank account from abroad or an international account. If you need to make a large initial deposit, you will be required to make a minimum monthly payment. In addition to these requirements, some banks will charge you a monthly fee, this can make opening and maintaining a bank account costly. Other restrictions may also apply, for example, you may be unable to close the account and switch to a better deal until a certain time period has passed.

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Originally posted on January 23, 2023 @ 1:09 pm