Bank Account Non Uk Residents

[coccinelle]

Before i go searching on the net just thought if anybody knows the answer to this question. Can a non UK resident open an account with a British bank? The person holds a UK passport but doesn't live in the UK.
I personally am with RBS but my account is off-shore in Jersey. This was mainly for tax reasons. I know the bank system has changed so wanted to know if it is allowed.

[EDDIE51]

I don't think you can have an ordinary account as they need proof of address. Phone one of the big banks and ask , there will be an account that you can have.

[EDDIE51]

Look at this link, as I though you need to open an international account , but it can be in £s
http://www.bba.org.uk/customer/article/bank-account-access-in-the-uk-for-non-residents/banking-abroad/

[mk1975]

i wanted to open my dad a bank account and went to RBS , they said they need something with his name and address on it, council tax or utility bill, something formal. as my dad stays with me a couple of months every year but does not live in UK i was not able to open account for him.

[dzug2]

Legally there's no problem.

Finding a bank willing to do it , particularly if free banking is wanted, can be a challenge but it's not impossible

Start with the overseas bank that he has an account with and see if they can help

[webbo3]

yes you can, my parents live in france and have an account with a british bank to which their pensions etc are paid and money is transferred to their french bank as and when it is needed.




Dave.

[coccinelle]

thanks for your replies. I have an international account with RBS. This friend would prefer an account in a town so she can pop into the bank when she's over.
webbo3 if you don't mind me asking who do they bank with? and is it an international account?

[Sqad]

Yes.....no problem.

[webbo3]

Hsbc over here, and credit mutuel in france, im not sure if it an international account tho.



Dave.

[coccinelle]

sqad, is yours an international account, if you don't mind me asking?

[webbo3]

apparently not, just spoke to mum and they had the account before they left and they tried to open another one and couldn't, its not an international account.



Dave.

[coccinelle]

So it seems if you've already got an account when you leave the country you can keep it open but once you've left you can't open one?

[webbo3]

yes, thats what my mum said.



Dave

[Sqad]

Mine is the same....it was opened before I left the UK.

I have opens an account in the Channel Islands and had to fill in a body great from, giving all sorts of details, but it worked.

[coccinelle]

Thank you Dave for your help. Hope you didn't phone your Mum just for me if so I owe you a phone call !

[coccinelle]

sqad, so that confirms it then, thanks.

[webbo3]

its ok, i have a cheap rate number. :-)


Dave.

[EDDIE51]

Yes I worked and lived in Zambia and Saudi Arabia but kept my UK bank account. I opened it before I left the country though.
If you have an international account with one of the 'High Street' banks you can just go into any branch when you are in the UK and use it just like a 'home' customer. There is no difference between your 'Home' branch and any other now, it is all on the central computer system .

[coccinelle]

Yes, EDDIE you're right as I can go into any RBS branch and pay money in. I left Barclays because they started charging £5 per month and no doubt in the near future RBS will do the same. £5 a month is a lot when you only use your account a couple of times a year!!

[EDDIE51]

I have a Barclays cash card account , it does every thing I need and it is free. It does direct debits , debit card and gets cash from any ATM.

[coccinelle]

Sorry Eddie51 I didn't see your post yesterday. I think it must be just the international accounts which are payable. When I left the country I kept my bank account open but due to paying tax on the interest i was advised to move the account off shore. Then a few years later they started charging.