Bank Accounts

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this Forum and am glad to have found it. I have a working holidaymaker visa and was in London for 4 months this summer. During that time I fought tooth and nail to get a bank account and never managed to.

Everyone wanted a bill in my name, but I live with my fiance and he pays all of the bills.

I am moving back on the 30th of November and wondered if anyone knew any easier way of securing a bank account once I get there.

Any help would be much appreciated.

As for the NHS questions.. are Working Holidaymakers covered? Or would a doctor perhaps consider the fact that I am engaged to a Brit and decide they believe I have intentions of being a permanent resident?

So confused... so confused...

I just heard a radio programme detailing the difficulties faced by people from overseas trying to open bank accounts, so it seems it's a general problem, and not always problem-free for the Brits either. I think the banks had problems with money laundering or something a few years ago, and have over-reacted in their account opening requirements.

The bill/statement in your name seems to be a must, so I guess your best bet is to sign up for some service quickly and get them to send a statement in the mail straight away. A mobile phone might be a possibility, as you'll probably want one in your own name anyway.

As for the NHS - if you're engaged to a UK citizen are you still classed as a working holidaymaker?

Well, the government does not know we are enganged.

I looked it up and it said that a visa for a fiancee would mean I could live there but not work. And there was soemthing about getting married within six months and we are waiting until later next year so I can organise properly a wedding that has people from all over the place attending.

Since I already have the working holidaymaker visa that allows me to work, I figured it would be best if I just kept that until we get married.

To be honest, neither of us know a thing about what we/I am supposed to do.

I thought about the mobile phone. My fiance was going to get me one before I got there.. but don't I need a bank account to get one?

I once considered getting a mobile phone. They wanted a payslip and said that I would have to put down a deposit (?£200) because my job was not permanent.
Needless to say, I did not bother.

When my husband and I went for my marriage visa, I was asked why all the bills were in his name. Just thought would forewarn you.

The banks could be restricted by the type of visa you have since it is only good for two years.

Just a thought, but I believe there's a kind of very basic account that some building societies do, where you just get a passbook, no cheque book, no cards. All you can do is pay money in, and withdraw from the counter.

Something like that anyway. I think the Post Office may also do something similar.

I suppose it would be better than nothing, and they may have less stringent opening requirements.

Do check with the authorities about the visa though. It can be awkward if you end up in the country on the "wrong" kind of visa appropriate to your situation.

Hi there,

If you haven't moved back to London yet, would you have enough time to open up an international bank account in Canada?

I looked into this, and it's possible to do, but take a little bit of time and $1500CA to get started. HSBC offers this service and they will literally set up the UK bank account IN Canada and then it's all sorted out when you head back over, and you deal with all the paperwork in Canada.

I opened a regular HSBC account because I explained to the woman my situation and that is all she offered me. She never even mentioned this other type.

My mother owns a company and they deal with HSBC and told me that her banker said she could open a UK account for me no problem... I guess that is what she meant.
Thank you for that advice!

themeone:
Well, the way I see it, I am not really lying. The government knows who I am staying with.. said it straight out on the application for the working holidaymaker visa.. and I do intend to travel some more. Though it does suck having limited rights there. Though from what I can tell of this fiancee visa, they are even more restricted until marriage.

Hopefully the authorities don't read this forum... then I am screwed.

I did go to one building society.. and they gave the same critereon as the banks did. However, I had no idea about the post office! Maybe I will try that. After all, I spend a lot of time in there posting crisps back to everyone here. :/

Can someone explain what the difference between a "cash card" and a "debit card" is?

I'm on a basic Nationwide account, and have their cash card. Do I have to upgrade my account in order to be able to use direct debit?

I'd say a cash card is one that only allows you to withdrawn cash from a machine. A debit card allows you to make purchases against the card.

Kasta,
Why not have your bank statement from Canada sent to your UK address? That would give you proof of address.

And, you're not breaking the law by not getting a fiance visa. You just have to be married and have applied for a marriage visa before the working holiday visa expires.