Opening a bank account from outside the UK

beatsneedrhymes

I'm planning on travelling for the next two years and so am trying to get my savings sorted into an ISA and a normal savings account. I was fully prepared to lock both at fixed rates so I didn't have to worry about them while I was away. However, there is a lot of talk on these forums about interest rates being likely to rise in 12 months or so. So maybe it's best to just lock the money away for a year then re-examine the situaion via the magic of the internet next year.

BUT... Do I need to be in the country to sign documents/send of proof of identity etc. - therefore making Plan A (2-year fix) the onyl real sensible option?

jonesMUFCforever

If you do not live in the UK then you are not eligble to open or hold an ISA.

456789

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/isa/faqs.htm#14

Q. What happens if I go abroad?

A. You can only open an ISA if you are resident and ordinarily resident in the UK for tax purposes (ask your Inland Revenue office if you are in any doubt about this).
Crown employees, such as diplomats or members of the armed forces, who are working overseas and paid by the Government are eligible to open an ISA. Their spouses or civil partners can also open an ISA.
If you start an ISA in the UK and then go abroad, you cannot continue putting money into the ISA (unless you are a Crown employee working overseas or the spouse or civil partner of a Crown employee working overseas). However, you can keep your ISA and you will still get tax relief on investments held in the ISA. When you return, you can start putting money in again (subject to the normal annual limits).

as for opening accounts usually the first account with a bank that you open you need to sign, but then you can open others online without signing usually