Opening a UK bank account

[ellen10]

My son is moving to the UK at the end of next month.
He will fly to London for a few days, travel in Europe for 2 months and then go back to London hopefully to find work. He has applied for a 5 year visa.
Can he open a UK bank account here before he goes?

 

[samh004]

I'm not sure if he can open one before he goes, but if you're planning on using the same bank over there as you have here, you can generally get the local bank to write a letter of endorsement (or something) that'll speed up e opening of the account in the next country. HSBC have done that for me from HK to NZ and AU.

 

[markis10]

Yes a Bank account can be pre-organised:

NABs facility:

https://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/Personal_Finance/15/23/7

HSBC can organise one via your local Aus branch.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks Sam004
He currently has accounts with a credit union.
A friend who is working in Scotland mentioned he banked with HSBC. So excuse my ignorance but are they an Australian Bank? Their website says "the worlds local bank". Maybe he could open an acount with them whilst still in Australia to make the transition easier.

 

[ellen10]

Markus10 I must have been posting at the same time.
Thank you for your reply. He originally would have had 10 days in London before setting off to Europe but now it looks like 2 days as his final hospial exams have been delayed, with much angst as the date is set for after his flight. Which will necessitate flight changes, amongst many other changes.
Just trying to help smooth some of the last minute problems.

 

[elbarto]

HSBC are a British / Hong Kong bank. They have reasonably sized operations in Australia. I used first contact to open my uk bank account. They use the offshore arm of barclays bank so the account is located on the Isle of Man and you get around the uk address issue as you can use your Australian address. The account operates the same as any other British account.

Check out 1stcontact.com the offer a range of services to help people relocate to the uk. Your son will also need to get a national insurance number.


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[cove]

In between getting set and being there many would say to use 28 degree GE card as they give a fair currency conversion and no real fees.This card should tide him over if there is a delay.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks elbarto for your reply - we will check 1st contact. What is a national insurance number? Is that like Medicare?
Yes Cove I have read good reports of the 28 degrees credit card. Was in fact thinking of applying for one fro my trip os

 

[elbarto]

Yes I believe national insurance has to do with health care and pensions etc. You also need an NI number for tax reasons. Without one your son will be charged emergency tax which is quite a chunk of any earnings.


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