Monday 13 June 2011

Opening a UK Bank Account From Overseas

If you are looking to open a UK bank account from overseas, you may run into some problems. With world events unfolding as they are, banks are becoming more guarded about letting anyone open a bank account, especially overseas. Not everyone who wants to open a bank account in the UK from overseas is up to no good. There are students that are going to University or Expatriates that are being transferred to the UK. How do they go about opening a bank account in the United Kingdom?

The very first thing that you should consider is to talk to your local branch and see if they have procedures that will allow you to transfer your money from the branch to the same bank but in the United Kingdom. These are not questions that are asked often so you may have to wait for an answer. If this is not an option then you may have to wait until you arrive in the United Kingdom to set up a bank account.

You will need many forms of identification to open a bank account in the United Kingdom. Before arriving in the UK, you should make a phone call to the bank you are thinking about using and see what can be done from where you are to get started. You will need a photo ID as well as proof of address where you currently live and your address that you will be living when you come to the UK. You cannot use PO Boxes; you must have a physical address.

Some banks may require that you use a direct deposit. Others may require a credit check. Each bank has its own way to determine whether or not you will get a bank account. Some places may only offer a savings account at first and see how you do with that. Most banks are afraid to take a gamble with some accounts because they are afraid of overdrafts and customers not paying back the money.

Most banks in the United Kingdom use applications to decide on who they determine is worthy enough to have a bank account. That is why it is important that you understand how each bank is going to go about giving out bank accounts. If you know you want to open UK bank account and you don't have great credit then call some banks and see which ones do not require credit checks.

Just because one bank may turn you down, it doesn't mean that they all will. So it is important to do some research and what bank is more likely to grant you an account. There are plenty of banks in the United Kingdom to choose from.

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