Opening a Bank Account

[thehop]

Hi all, hope everyone is keeping safe in these strange times.......
We have a family member moving back to the UK in the next few weeks, having been away for over 10 years.
Can anyone advise a suitable bank account they can open the does not require proof of address?
They are a UK citizen but will have no documents for proof of UK address.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[s111dpc]

I’m guessing they would only be able a ‘Basic Bank Account’ without proof of address.

[thehop]

Yes, that is all they would require. An account for basic banking functions, ATM withdrawals, transfers etc.

[Louis Balfour]

s111dpc said:

I’m guessing they would only be able a ‘Basic Bank Account’ without proof of address.

Don't they always want proof of address for AML now?

[s111dpc]

Louis Balfour said:

s111dpc said:

I’m guessing they would only be able a ‘Basic Bank Account’ without proof of address.

Don't they always want proof of address for AML now?

You might well be right there, it’s been a while since I checked.

[cml24]

It's an absolute nightmare without proof of address.

Can they not wait until they can set something up that will be suitable for proof of address like a utility bill?

[thehop]

They will be staying with other family so unlikely to be able to provide a utilities bill for proof of address. Guess we will have to do some further investigation.

[egomeister]

I don't know the KYC criteria they use, but one of the app based accounts like Monzo or Starling might be easier than the high street?

[randlemarcus]

egomeister said:

I don't know the KYC criteria they use, but one of the app based accounts like Monzo or Starling might be easier than the high street?

Monzo:if you don't have a UK address, we can't offer you a bank account.

There are a few international accounts for non-EU folks, especially the wealthy sorts.

[egomeister]

randlemarcus said:

egomeister said:

I don't know the KYC criteria they use, but one of the app based accounts like Monzo or Starling might be easier than the high street?

Monzo:if you don't have a UK address, we can't offer you a bank account.

There are a few international accounts for non-EU folks, especially the wealthy sorts.

They'll have an address when they get here though, just not documentation to back it up. I'd assume they will be added to council tax register and electoral roll so there is a start of something for the banks to check there.

This page suggests they should be ok: https://monzo.com/blog/2019/08/09/what-do-i-need-t...

[randlemarcus]

egomeister said:

They'll have an address when they get here though, just not documentation to back it up. I'd assume they will be added to council tax register and electoral roll so there is a start of something for the banks to check there.

This page suggests they should be ok: https://monzo.com/blog/2019/08/09/what-do-i-need-t...

https://monzo.com/help/legal-stuff/tax-residency-not-uk

I suspect someone not being able to prove they live at 15 Acacia Avenue is going to have an issue, until they reach the point of being able to prove it. Does registering for Council Tax kick any documentation off?

ETA: Just had a thought - can you register for a provisional driving licence before they arrive? Don't suppose the DVLA really care where you live, as long as you pay. Which is odd for Tier 1 ID when you think about it.

Edited by randlemarcus on Tuesday 19th January 19:37

[egomeister]

randlemarcus said:

egomeister said:

They'll have an address when they get here though, just not documentation to back it up. I'd assume they will be added to council tax register and electoral roll so there is a start of something for the banks to check there.

This page suggests they should be ok: https://monzo.com/blog/2019/08/09/what-do-i-need-t...

https://monzo.com/help/legal-stuff/tax-residency-not-uk

I suspect someone not being able to prove they live at 15 Acacia Avenue is going to have an issue, until they reach the point of being able to prove it. Does registering for Council Tax kick any documentation off?

ETA: Just had a thought - can you register for a provisional driving licence before they arrive? Don't suppose the DVLA really care where you live, as long as you pay. Which is odd for Tier 1 ID when you think about it.

Edited by randlemarcus on Tuesday 19th January 19:37

I'm assuming as the relative is moving back to the UK they would also be tax resident, so I don't see that is a problem really.

I know a friend who moved to the UK and was able to open a Monzo account whilst staying with friends, so I don't think they require that much attachment to the address used. They might as well try, worst case is they say no and don't open the account.

[thehop]

Thanks for the suggestions. We will give the Monzo account a try.

[hutchst]

I moved back to the UK in October.

I applied for a replacement driving licence at my new (temporary) address straight away, and got the new licence in the post in one week. I then opened an account with one of the High Street banks straight away with my passport and photocard driving licence. All within a week of arriving.

The only delay was a 3 day wait before the debit/ATM card was activated.

[Craphouserat]

Tide.

[bigandclever]

randlemarcus said:

ETA: Just had a thought - can you register for a provisional driving licence before they arrive? Don't suppose the DVLA really care where you live, as long as you pay. Which is odd for Tier 1 ID when you think about it.

Not sure that would help. Banks don’t accept provisional licences as ID, unless you’re under 18; the government don’t accept them as official ID either.