US visitor to UK - any bank accounts/credit cards available?

Munchbunch

Hi. My American friend's daughter (aged 23) has come to stay with me for about six months. She needs to open a bank account & would need a debit/cashpoint card. As she is not a permanent resident, is there any type of bank account that she could open? Also, would she be able to get a UK credit card rather than using her US one which charges her whenever she uses it? Any help gratefully received. Thanks

skyrider007

Munchbunch wrote: »

Hi. My American friend's daughter (aged 23) has come to stay with me for about six months. She needs to open a bank account & would need a debit/cashpoint card. As she is not a permanent resident, is there any type of bank account that she could open? Also, would she be able to get a UK credit card rather than using her US one which charges her whenever she uses it? Any help gratefully received. Thanks

She can open a basic bank account if she can provide the bank:

a) proof of identity (passport)
b) proof of address in the UK (rental agreement, utility bills, contracts etc).

HSBC will charge £7 a month over the course of 12-month (contract) should your friend's daughter decide to open an account with her. She should get an account from Nationwide Building Society as their cash card do not charge commission fee when used abroad.

I don't think she will qualify for a credit card as her credit file in the UK is non existence. Get an account with Lloyds TSB and they will provide her with a VISA Debit which can be used anywhere VISA is accepted.

Munchbunch

Thanks. Unfortunately, she can't produce anything with my address on as she is only staying with me - no rental agreement, utility bills etc. She needs somewhere to deposit her money & be able to access it as she needs it. I'd already looked on the Nationwide site, but their accounts are for permanent residents only. Antone got any other ideas? Thanks

msaquib

One of my friend came from USA and she managed to open an account with Barclays. The only documents she presented was US Passport and Driving License.

MS

M_Thomson

msaquib wrote: »

One of my friend came from USA and she managed to open an account with Barclays. The only documents she presented was US Password and Driving License.

MS

Which US password was that?

Hazzanet

M_Thomson wrote: »

Which US password was that?

Mississippi?

msaquib

M_Thomson wrote: »

Which US password was that?

Sorry it's my quick typo error. It should have been Passport.

occamsrazor

Re: the utility bill address... You could try this which was suggested to me by a helpful bank person as a way of getting around this problem (am UK expat, non-resident)... Call up your gas/electric company and ask them to ADD her to your bill as a joint thing (not take you off, just have both names). Wait for the next bill to come showing both names, use it to open bank account, then call utility company up and ask them to take her off. I've no idea if this would work or not....