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Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account in London when you first arrive is not easy.

The easiest way to get an account is to try open it before coming to London. If your bank has branches in UK, then that shouldn't be a problem.

Otherwise, if starting from zero here, you will need your identity card (passport, driving license) and proof of residence (through any utility bill or council tax). If possible, try to get a recommendation letter from your employer.

If you haven't got all of the above, you will have a lot of trouble to convince a bank to open an account for you. If you are moving into a new flat where the bills are all set up, try convince your flatmates to add your name to one of the accounts (telephone, TV license, council tax, electricity, cable TV...).

Good luck!

Your Comments
shop around, don't take no for an answer! By Joe R	Wed 23 April 2008 11:58PM
Actually I found it amazingly difficult to get an account, and saying you don't want an overdraft facility didn't seem to help at all, they just view holding onto your money with the greatest suspicion... Shouldn't it be the other way around? Anyway, most banks have got different people working in them, so just go from bank to bank, branch to branch asking them. Wear a good suit or at least smart clothing, and bring several bits of ID, any proofs of address you have (letter from your flatmate saying you're "subletting"). Another idea is to print your own employment letter (assuming you have a company so you can do your own letterhead). The company can be overseas and say they're transferring you. You should obviously be able to do some basic desktop publishing for that or have brought the letterheads with you. Lastly, if you get on well with your new flatmates, try just changing something like the BT bill or gas bill into your name. It's just a phone call with the person whose name it was in sitting with you, and no special checks are made. Once it arrives with your name on it, you can go down and use it as proof you're at the address. I was lucky, a nice lady at the bank actually sent a letter to the address (to check), and allowed me to come back with it (signed by me) as proof that I was at that address. But that was years ago and I made it sound like I was about to start a well-paid job ;-)
Passport Accounts By Maxine	Wed 28 May 2008 09:43AM
As I didn't have time to ask for bills to be changed to my name, several people recommended I open a Passport Account. You can open an account for 1 year(until you get more proof of residency). All you need is your passport and any other form of id(i.e driver's license) however some banks only need your passport. It's the quickest, easiest way to open a bank account!
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