Temporarily moving outside UK, still able to apply for UK credit card?

rozkeefe

Hi, 

I am moving overseas for about 2 years but will still have a UK address and won’t be a resident in the country I’m moving to (USA). 

I currently have an interest free credit card (until 2026) with about £5K that I am still paying off. Worst case, in 2026, would I still be able to apply for a new balance transfer credit card in the UK if I still have a UK address, UK bank account etc.? Only thing is my salary will be paid into my US bank account. 

Any clarity on this topic would be much appreciated!

Thank you!

DullGreyGuy

How honest do you want to be?

If you are spending less than 16 days in the UK in a given tax year then for HMRC purposes you'll be non-resident, you can use the test on their website if you were here longer than that but under 46 days. If a bank uses the same test as HMRC, probably but not definitely. 

Obviously many people who still have UK details will declare they are UK resident for banking purposes but not for taxation purposes and hope that the bank and HMRC dont cross check records.

born_again

Many banks have a policy if not living in the UK, then can not apply for UK products.

Just remember to tell bank that you are moving to US (Temp) & to add a correspondence address for the UK one.

Remembering that FATCA is going to come into play here. 

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/foreign-account-tax-compliance-act-fatca