International student opening an account

Revero

Hello!

I'm in somewhat of a troubling situation, and was hoping someone here could help me sort it. I'm a student interning in the UK for a few months. Originally, I was under the impression that the internship was unpaid, but the place I am interning at has since offered me backdated payment for the work. However, the payment can only be made to a British bank account that I own. This aspect of it is non-negotiable on the workplace side -- it has to be a British bank account that I own.

I have an NIS with proof of address on the form, as well as ID (Canadian passport). However, all of the major banks I've spoken to won't give me an account because my visa is shorter than six months, and it isn't profitable for them.

Is anyone aware of a British bank account I could open easily and quickly, and have my wages paid directly into? I'm short on time now, but I'd be willing to pay very high monthly fees -- all I need is a British account that the money can be deposited into and transfer money out of, for a month or two.

If I can't sort this out, I won't have access to any of the money.

Thanks and best.

diamonds

Revero wrote: »

Hello!

I'm in somewhat of a troubling situation, and was hoping someone here could help me sort it. I'm a student interning in the UK for a few months. Originally, I was under the impression that the internship was unpaid, but the place I am interning at has since offered me backdated payment for the work. However, the payment can only be made to a British bank account that I own. This aspect of it is non-negotiable on the workplace side -- it has to be a British bank account that I own.

I have an NIS with proof of address on the form, as well as ID (Canadian passport). However, all of the major banks I've spoken to won't give me an account because my visa is shorter than six months, and it isn't profitable for them.

Is anyone aware of a British bank account I could open easily and quickly, and have my wages paid directly into? I'm short on time now, but I'd be willing to pay very high monthly fees -- all I need is a British account that the money can be deposited into and transfer money out of, for a month or two.

If I can't sort this out, I won't have access to any of the money.

Thanks and best.

Virgin or Natwest basic accounts.

xylophone

A basic account may be a possibility. https://www.bba.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AE249_BBA_International_Students_Oct12.pdf

Revero

Hi Xylophone!

I've tried booking appointments with many of those banks, but they will not accept me due to the shortness of my visa. However, I'll try booking appointments with the ones on that list who I haven't spoken to, as well as the two banks suggested above to see if they are any different.

The issue with me getting a student account is that to qualify for one, you have to be a student for over a year or so in the UK.

diamonds

xylophone wrote: »

A basic account may be a possibility. https://www.bba.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AE249_BBA_International_Students_Oct12.pdf

Xylo thats helpful, if only the bba was as helpful as not to put a 2012 file full of incorrect info on accounts on all its links and not the Sept 2015 one that is current https://www.bba.org.uk/download-file/?f=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmJiYS5vcmcudWtcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTNcLzAxXC9TVDAwMDQ2ODQ0XzNQX0JCQV9JbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsX1N0dWRlbnRzX0FFMjYwLnBkZiIsInVzZXIiOmZhbHNlfQ==

jonesMUFCforever

OP consider one of the high street banks overseas account.
They will be based in Jersey or Isle of man but will have a british sort code and account number which will fulfill your needs.