Opening a UK Bank Account for HSMP visa holders

[EdgeHillMole]

Before I left for the UK, I opened a Lloyds offshore account and a chequebook. With this, I was able to pay the security deposit and those first few months' rent.

Later, after I got a job, I was able to open a UK current account and close down the offshore one.

An offshore account was much easier to obtain from abroad, and allowed me to walk into the UK on day 1 prepared. I highly recommend this route, at least as a temporary stop-gap meaure until that crucial first job comes along.

[Jayceesh]

@ jagacharaja

All that looks free may not actually be so. True, the Barclays Cash Card is probably the easiest account to open with Barclays, however the major limitation is that it can never be upgraded to another account. It will remain a cash card forever. I, unfortunately have a cash card account as well and even when i tried to upgrade it, thats the story I got. I had to open another Barclays Bank Account afterwards.

I started off mainly with HSBC Basic Bank Account, and now after series of upgrades, its now a full bank account with the debit cards and cheques (sorry I didnt go up to their Premier account, i see no reason forking out £12 a month).

Recent trends suggests that the easiest account to open nowadays is Halifax EasyCash account which also fortunately comes with a debit card. The main thing required is a photocopy of the identity page on your passport.

All the best

[avjones]

Being from India, you should be fine speaking English (-:

[jagacharaja]

jayceesh -

thanks for your insight. my hsbc passport account has been approved, but doesn't look like it will be actually opened until i'm in uk and provide them the id credentials and the 60gbp.

based on your note above i applied for halifax's easy cash account. a concern i have is that looks like they might ask for proof of residence in uk which i don't/won't have until after some time i'm in uk. i merely provided a friend's address in uk, but i won't be able to "document" it as a proof of "my" residence... is this going to be a problem?

if so, looks like hsbc passport is the only sure-shot option w/out having to worry abt any of this..... no wonder they charge money for the passport account

[ssvgopal]

Guys,

A word of caution on the HSBC passport account, and in general HSBC account opening procedures.

Even though it sounded much easier to ACQUIRE a Passport account by a simple submission of proofs, it isn't really so. My passport account application was made at Reading branch of HSBC on 29th Aug with all relevant documentation and proofs submitted, and till date(13th Sept), the account was not made Active. When I enquired on the telephone, I was told to enquire with the branch. I will be going there tomorrow morning to find out reason for delay.

Another worthwhile input which I got from a very Learned Finance person local to the UK, is that HSBC is THE BANK revered in UK for its long history and banking records. So naturally, they FEEL they can take their OWN SWEET TIME in opening new accounts. So we need to be patient with them. Furthermore, if you have any other bank accounts functional in the UK(by any means), dont mention it to them. You stand the chance of them asking you to close the other accounts, if you get to bank with HSBC.
So, pls be discrete with them, and dont get timid with them, but dont also be rude. These people feel they deserve respect everywhere.

Good luck.

Regards,
Sai

[avjones]

"HSBC is THE BANK revered in UK for its long history and banking records"

Not as far as I'm concerned, I've never heard anyone revere it!

I bank with Lloyds, and am quite happy with them.

[Jayceesh]

jayceesh -

thanks for your insight. my hsbc passport account has been approved, but doesn't look like it will be actually opened until i'm in uk and provide them the id credentials and the 60gbp.

based on your note above i applied for halifax's easy cash account. a concern i have is that looks like they might ask for proof of residence in uk which i don't/won't have until after some time i'm in uk. i merely provided a friend's address in uk, but i won't be able to "document" it as a proof of "my" residence... is this going to be a problem?

if so, looks like hsbc passport is the only sure-shot option w/out having to worry abt any of this..... no wonder they charge money for the passport account

They allow you to state your current address in the UK and also your previous addresses outside of the country. You can apply online, although its better to go to the bank, pick the leaflet, fill it and give it to them but I will sound a note that you should only do this when you are in the UK. They did not ask for proof of residence (to the best of my knowledge), i think the prove is the fact that they will send some things to you through the post to the specified address, and since you have to sign and send, it is then left to them to allow or disallow your application due to credit history (if they do this).

All the best