New to the UK.

System

He has no credit / residence history so is most likely to be offered basic facilities to begin with even if he gets the ID they require. BTW most basic accounts have debit cards.

Mikhail wrote: »

Hi,

I know he can open a basic account, but I would appreciate if you could advise me where he can open a current account with a debit card, not a cash card.

macman

Mikhail wrote: »

Why should he register for Council Tax if he lives with me and I pay 'for two or more adults' rate?

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/counciltax/2013-14_Residents_Guide_to_Brighton_Hove_Services.pdf

Correct, it won't affect your CT rate if you don't currently get the SPD. But you said he's already on the electoral roll at this address anyway? If it's at a different address, he'll need to update that ASAP. Being correctly listed on the ER s a fairly fundamental requirement for most forms of credit.

anqet

Try Barclays as well. One of the big branches. The Sloane Sq branch opened mine, I showed a job offer and foreign IDs, no proof of UK address. They even offered me overdraft from the very beginning.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/Helpsupport/Identificationforbankaccounts/P1242557966027

If not, he'll get approved for an HSBC Passport account with a 6-mo contractual period. It's aimed at newcomers. A friend of mine just opened hers with no job offer and no proof of UK address (she had proof of foreign address). She's EU as well.

olly300

Mikhail wrote: »

He's already in the UK, today is his 2nd day at work.

He has no relatives here.

He needs to speak to someone at work. I would start with a manager rather than HR as managers tend to be more useful in getting things done.

He should explain that he can't open a bank account so they won't be able to pay his wages and then ask:
1. Is there any bank they have an agreement with?
2. What bank do they use?

As long as the business doesn't just use a purely business bank they should be able to help.

rubybloo

Go into a Lloyds TSB branch as they will open him an account. All he needs is his passport or Spanish identity card. I can't link to the Lloyds TSB website yet, but they have a list of acceptable identification, and they do not require proof of address if you can show a passport/identification card.

I'm Australian and opened an account at Lloyds with my passport (with visa inside) the day I arrived in London three years ago, with no job and certainly no proof of address or electoral roll enrolment. I was immediately given a Classic current account with Visa debit card, and I think I may have gotten a tiny overdraft as well (£100). As far as I'm aware, there is no other bank that is as flexible with ID.

We recently had a French girl lodging with us who had just emigrated & had no proof of address. I advised her to go to Lloyds as HSBC were giving her the run-around (despite being a French HSBC customer), and she had no hassles getting a full current account at Lloyds.

Mikhail

Many thanks to everyone!

We went to Halifax and were able to open the Halifax rewards current account with a £100 overdraft.

iamharrytheham

I have a different problem. my wife and me both have A/Cs with NATIONWIDE for 25 years. we have retired to Spain and asked for both our a/c to be made joint. We was told that as our address is in Spain they will not allow us to do that. We are allowed to keep our own A/Cs but not allowed to make any changes can any one help . We cannot change banks as we have no address in the UK
Many thanks Cath & Harry

ispookie666

I had similar problems in 2009.
I finally opened a step account with Natwest - had given my passport, accommodation letter/contrct and letter from employer.

Things might have changed.