Opening a bank account in the UK, when arriving from overseas

Once you’ve moved to London, or elsewhere in the UK, you’re most likely going to require a bank account- whether it’s for receiving a salary, or paying bills.

In order to open a bank account in the UK, the banks are required by law (to combat money laundering) to know a great deal about their customers. Therefore, new customers must present documentary forms of I.D to prove their identities.

The two main types of I.D that are required are

a) Photographic I.D

b) Proof of address

You will need original copies of all documentation, photocopies are not acceptable.

The photo I.D part should be fairly easy to produce, as if you’ve recently arrived in the country from overseas, the chances are that you’ll have your passport with you.

The address part isn’t quite so easy. If you have a copy of a tenancy agreement with your new address, this would be ideal. If not, and you’re working, you could get a letter from your current employer, complete with payslips stating your address. If you’re a student, speak to your university about writing a letter proving you’re resident at the university -in halls or other student accommodation. You should also take proof of a previous address in your home country, so that the bank can do a reference check on you, with your signed permission.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give too definitive an answer as to which documentation will be acceptable to a bank, as there are too many varied cases as well as each bank has differing procedures and rules to follow. So our best advice would be to take as much original documentation along with you as possible, to ensure that the process of opening a bank account, doesn’t take any longer than absolutely necessary.