Opening Bank Account

Thelasthighking

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some help.

I am an Irish student interning in London this coming summer and would like to set up a bank account for wages.

Is this possible? Has anyone got any advice?

Thank you!

jonesMUFCforever

Yes - use the tinternet and Google for any high street bank and see what they could offer you.
By Irish I take it that you are from Eire? If so you will not get credit facilities straightaway - but a basic account should be ok for your needs.

Just be aware that with basic accounts some banks debit cards will not work in ATM abroad should you go home and try to make a withdrawal.

Hominu

Speak to a bank and explain your situation, opening a basic bank account should be no problem.

You may be charged for sending money home, so ask the bank for its list of charges before signing up if this is what you want to do.

System

Try to get a Sterling current account from Ulster Bank; possibly available in the ROI but definitely available in NI. It would allow you free access to Ulster bank ATMs in the ROI as well as working in London.

If that's not a goer, try Metrobank when you get to London as their debit card will give you free access to UK ATMs and ATMs in ROI.

Thelasthighking

Thanks for the suggestions!

Every high street bank I've searched requires UK residency for a current account.

Thanks Heng, tried to apply but only open to NI residents.

MaebyFunke

If its worth it, travel up to newry and open a sterling account there - I did it a year ago, there are plenty of people who live just south of the border who work in the north so once you have the usual proof of address etc. for your address in Ireland it isn't an issue. I actually did mine over the phone a year ago, but I was in full-time employment at the time. However, its probably worth ringing up the branch, explaining the situation and seeing what they say.

I did this in advance of moving over as having lived in England before to study I remember the fresh hell it was to open a bank account as a not-British person. Despite having a letter from my university, all usual proof of id stuff, a number of high st banks told me they wouldn't open me anything other than an international (read: high fee) account. Now I'm older and wiser I'd challenge this, but its certainly really difficult, and unless you have a utility bill in your name you haven't a chance of getting anyone to open you an account when you head over.

zerog

For proof of address, you could apply for a credit card and wait for them to send you a letter to decline. I did this in several countries (but not the UK)

innovate

You could always google for international student accounts
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=international+student+accounts&aq=f&oq=international+student+accounts&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l3j62l2.6822&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

jonesMUFCforever

zerog wrote: »

For proof of address, you could apply for a credit card and wait for them to send you a letter to decline. I did this in several countries (but not the UK)

This would not be an acceptable document to present as ID or address confirmation.

reclusive46

zerog wrote: »

For proof of address, you could apply for a credit card and wait for them to send you a letter to decline. I did this in several countries (but not the UK)

lol I did that when I worked in the US but I got accepted!!!

matttye

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

This would not be an acceptable document to present as ID or address confirmation.

A letter signed by a professional (solicitor, doctor, maybe teacher?) who has known you for at least two years will usually suffice as ID, but not sure if it will suffice for proof of address.