Immigrating to the UK

[Priapus]

Hi guys



I am emigrating to London in December. Unfortunately, I am on the green mamba and will be going over a spousal visa.



I have tried, unsuccessfully, to open accounts with Monzo and HSBC from South Africa. I realize that it will be much easier to open an account once I am there and have collected my BRP.



For those that have made the move recently, what have you done so that you have access to funds when you first arrive in the UK? I bank with FNB and Capitec locally (if it’s relevant).



Thanks

FNB has a global account you can open and deposit money into - it’s converted to £ as well. Then use as per normal once you’re here.

 

[Paul Kemp]

Hi guys



I am emigrating to London in December. Unfortunately, I am on the green mamba and will be going over a spousal visa.



I have tried, unsuccessfully, to open accounts with Monzo and HSBC from South Africa. I realize that it will be much easier to open an account once I am there and have collected my BRP.



For those that have made the move recently, what have you done so that you have access to funds when you first arrive in the UK? I bank with FNB and Capitec locally (if it’s relevant).



Thanks

Notify FNB that you will be using your card for international purchases. All I really did for the first bit. Revolut virtual card for transferring money across.

 

[x32]

Notify FNB that you will be using your card for international purchases. All I really did for the first bit. Revolut virtual card for transferring money across.

Thanks! Were you able to open the Revolut account before you moved across or did you wait until you were in the UK?

 

[Sinbad]

Hi guys



I am emigrating to London in December. Unfortunately, I am on the green mamba and will be going over a spousal visa.



I have tried, unsuccessfully, to open accounts with Monzo and HSBC from South Africa. I realize that it will be much easier to open an account once I am there and have collected my BRP.



For those that have made the move recently, what have you done so that you have access to funds when you first arrive in the UK? I bank with FNB and Capitec locally (if it’s relevant).



Thanks

FNB channel islands current account. You can open it from SA and it works as almost a full fledged current account in UK. (When I had one it didn't support direct debits but they were planning to). Your salary can get paid into there, and it has a functioning debit card.

Then when you want to open an onshore account, Lloyds will do it without proof of address. You'll struggle your bum off otherwise.

 

[x32]

FNB channel islands current account. You can open it from SA and it works as almost a full fledged current account in UK. (When I had one it didn't support direct debits but they were planning to). Your salary can get paid into there, and it has a functioning debit card.

Then when you want to open an onshore account, Lloyds will do it without proof of address. You'll struggle your bum off otherwise.

Great, thank you!

 

[Paul Kemp]

Thanks! Were you able to open the Revolut account before you moved across or did you wait until you were in the UK?

Before. Once you are here you need an address before being able to open a bank account so it was useful.

 

[prod]

Then when you want to open an onshore account, Lloyds will do it without proof of address. You'll struggle your bum off otherwise.

Lloyds allowed me to open an account but in order to activate and use it I still had to receive my card first, so I still needed a valid address. Revolut worked without it as it's an 'online bank' or whatever you call it

 

[x32]

Lloyds allowed me to open an account but in order to activate and use it I still had to receive my card first, so I still needed a valid address. Revolut worked without it as it's an 'online bank' or whatever you call it

Would it be possible for me to open an account with Lloyds from SA, have the card sent to a friend in the UK and for the friend to then activate it?

 

[Sinbad]

Lloyds allowed me to open an account but in order to activate and use it I still had to receive my card first, so I still needed a valid address. Revolut worked without it as it's an 'online bank' or whatever you call it

Correct - you need a valid address but not proof of address

 

[Sinbad]

Would it be possible for me to open an account with Lloyds from SA, have the card sent to a friend in the UK and for the friend to then activate it?

Tis fraud mate - don't go down that route.

 

[x32]

Tis fraud mate - don't go down that route.

Cool. Will wait until I am that side. I'll contact FNB so long and open a channel islands account.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Ancalagon]

If anyone reading this has a grandmother born in the UK, and you were born before 1987, you are eligible to become British without needing a UK ancestry visa.

 

[Paul Kemp]

Then when you want to open an onshore account, Lloyds will do it without proof of address. You'll struggle your bum off otherwise.

My memory on this is a bit fuzzy

Correct - you need a valid address but not proof of address

Ah, makes sense. Had it in my head as proof of address. Had to physically go to the branch to verify my BRP though.

 

[Paul Kemp]

Tis fraud mate - don't go down that route.

Echo this. Do yourself a favour and just do things honestly and keep all your admin in check.

 

[Sinbad]

If anyone reading this has a grandmother born in the UK, and you were born before 1987, you are eligible to become British without needing a UK ancestry visa.

That's bizarre - citizenship by double descent? Got a source? I think we might be able to save money on my wife's spouse visa renewal!

 

[Dave]

That's bizarre - citizenship by double descent? Got a source? I think we might be able to save money on my wife's spouse visa renewal!

Have a read of this

New law opens door to British citizenship for people born before 1988 with a UK-born grandmother | Shepherd and Wedderburn

Section 4L of the British Nationality Act 1981 offers a potential route to British citizenship for adults with a UK-born grandmother who missed out due to historical legislative unfairness.

shepwedd.com

New law significantly expands possibilities for claiming British citizenship through a grandparent - Free Movement

A raft of changes to nationality law came into force a few weeks ago. I covered the changes at a high level on my own firm's website (shameless plug), but

freemovement.org.uk

 

[2026]

If anyone reading this has a grandmother born in the UK, and you were born before 1987, you are eligible to become British without needing a UK ancestry visa.

Had anyone ever managed to do this? I hear about it often but I haven't heard of anyone actually getting it via their grandmother

 

[Ancalagon]

Have a read of this

New law opens door to British citizenship for people born before 1988 with a UK-born grandmother | Shepherd and Wedderburn

Section 4L of the British Nationality Act 1981 offers a potential route to British citizenship for adults with a UK-born grandmother who missed out due to historical legislative unfairness.

shepwedd.com

Exactly this.

 

[Ancalagon]

Had anyone ever managed to do this? I hear about it often but I haven't heard of anyone actually getting it via their grandmother

I know of some people personally. Can't share details but it is 100% confirmed and not a rumour.

 

[2026]

I know of some people personally. Can't share details but it is 100% confirmed and not a rumour.

Can you share/find out where to apply for this? I have family members that could benefit from this