Can a non-resident open a bank account in England? Options and process

g000444555

Hello everyone,

I have a British citizenship and own a house in England. Currently, I am using a Barclays Premier account. However, my girlfriend lives abroad, and I would like to explore the possibility of her opening a bank account in England. I am seeking advice on the available options and the process involved.

Specifically, I would like to know if it is possible for me to open a bank account on her behalf while she is still residing abroad. The purpose behind this is to deposit a certain amount into her account as a birthday gift. Additionally, we hope that having a UK bank account will assist with her visa application and allow her to familiarize herself with the UK banking system. Moreover, it would provide her with the opportunity to save and invest money in a more reliable banking environment and currency.

I appreciate any insights, suggestions, or personal experiences you can share regarding this matter.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best regards,
g000444555

wmb194

g000444555 said:

Hello everyone,

I have a British citizenship and own a house in England. Currently, I am using a Barclays Premier account. However, my girlfriend lives abroad, and I would like to explore the possibility of her opening a bank account in England. I am seeking advice on the available options and the process involved.

Specifically, I would like to know if it is possible for me to open a bank account on her behalf while she is still residing abroad. The purpose behind this is to deposit a certain amount into her account as a birthday gift. Additionally, we hope that having a UK bank account will assist with her visa application and allow her to familiarize herself with the UK banking system. Moreover, it would provide her with the opportunity to save and invest money in a more reliable banking environment and currency.

I appreciate any insights, suggestions, or personal experiences you can share regarding this matter.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best regards,
g000444555

"Specifically, I would like to know if it is possible for me to open a bank account on her behalf while she is still residing abroad."

Nope, you have no chance. She'd have to open it herself but she won't be able to as she's non-resident.

You might look at banks in the Channel Islands but she'd need to do it and they might have large minimum balance, income and deposit requirements. Applying from certain countries could be an issue as well.

"The purpose behind this is to deposit a certain amount into her account as a birthday gift."

Just send it to her account in the country she lives.

Ballard

You might like to look into the possibility of opening an account with a London based bank from your girlfriends country, presuming that there is one.

I’m not saying that this would be possible but I have previously worked for branches of foreign banks in London and we did have personal overseas customers. This was pre-Brexit and the rules may well have changed now, of course. 

She would need to do the donkey work to get it open, if it is possible, though. They aren’t going to deal with an intermediary.