Opening a UK bank account as a new arrival

A UK bank account makes everyday life much easier - getting paid, paying rent and bills, and avoiding cash-handling fees. As a new arrival the main hurdle is proving who you are and where you live, but there are good options even before you have a UK credit history.

What you usually need

• Proof of identity: your passport (and visa/eVisa share code may help).
• Proof of address: a tenancy agreement, a letter from your university, or a utility/council tax bill. Not everyone has this at first - see below.

If you have no proof of address yet

This is the most common problem for new arrivals. Options that often work:

• App-based banks (such as Monzo or Starling) frequently let you open an account using your passport and a selfie, sometimes without a traditional proof-of-address document.
• Basic bank accounts: the nine largest current-account providers - Barclays, the Co-operative Bank, HSBC, Lloyds (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland), Nationwide, NatWest (including Royal Bank of Scotland), Santander, TSB and Virgin Money - are required by law to offer a fee-free basic account to anyone legally resident in the UK who has no account or does not qualify for a standard one. These let you receive money, pay bills and use a debit card, and they have no overdraft. See GOV.UK on basic bank accounts.
• University/student banking: if you are a student, ask your university - many have arrangements and can provide an introductory letter.

Tips

• Compare accounts for monthly fees, overdraft terms and whether they accept your documents before applying.
• Opening several accounts in a short time can affect future credit applications - apply for what you need.
• Never pay anyone a fee to “guarantee” you a bank account.

Bank requirements differ and change often. Check each bank’s current new-customer requirements on their official website before you apply, and bring originals of your documents.