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Opening a Bank Account

Ideally you should open a UK-based bank account at least five weeks before you leave for the UK. Your existing bank at home should be able to organise this for you through affiliations they have with UK banks. Then all you have to do is arrange to collect your cheque book and debit card from your new local branch when you arrive in the UK.

If you can't or haven't made arrangements before you leave, you can expect opening a UK bank account to take two weeks or more and to be a tedious process of form filling and identification. Most banks request you to open a bank account in person. The type of items that they require you to take as proof of identity varies, but could include at least two of the following items:

passport
national identity card
residence permit
national driving licence
tenancy agreement for your new home in the UK
a letter from your employer in the UK confirming your address, salary, etc.
proof of your previous or permanent address in the country you came from
a letter from your previous bank or your agreement that they may contact them.

This list is not exhaustive. However, the best approach if you are going into a UK bank to open an account is to take as many original documents with you as possible. Banks will not accept copies so remember to take originals.