Immigrating to the UK

I had a Monese account when I first got to the UK. But opening a high street bank account is incredibly difficult for some reason. They want proof of address, but they'll only accept certain types of proof of address. Even communication from Monese themselves wasn't accepted - in fact, they deliberately exclude it. You cannot use a Monese or Monzo bank account to apply for, say, HSBC. You have to use another form of proof of address.

I eventually received a letter from HMRC and that is what I used. Total pain to get one. I get the proof of address requirement, I just don't know they are so picky about what types of proof of address they will use.
 
signates said:
If you haven't yet opened the transfer Wise account, here's my referral link

https://transferwise.com/a/zubairk18
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I’ve started the sign up process last week but cannot get the verification sms because I’m in a remote location with no cell signal. I’ll continue next week when home and if I haven’t already skipped the verification bit, I’ll certainly add that in.
 
signates said:
Managed to get myself a UK bank account with Monzo. Transferred £1k from my FNB global account using transfer Wise and funds reflected immediately.

Everything was done online, took a pic of my SA passport and did a short video for verification via the monzo app. My wife received the card in the mail today and I could activate it after she sent me the card number.

Will start the process to get my credit record started before I get there by openinga Loqbox account for £50 a month.

Thought it would be difficult to open a UK bank account as a non British citizen considering everything you have to go through with our banks and fica before you can get a bank account here and the extra paperwork required if you are not a South African citizen. I know a few foreigners in SA and have spoken to them about what they had to go through to get a normal bank account, never mind applying for credit or a cellphone contract as a non South African.

My wife also got me a prepaid O2 sim card that she'll bring back for me when she's here next month.
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It's usually a complete pain in the arse to get a UK bank account with a traditional bank. Fortunately when I go over there at the end of September, Barclays allows an introduction of a parent as 'proof of UK address', so I will be using that. As you have discovered, the new generation of banks are a bit more lax with that. Starling is also another bank similar to Monzo.

Wondering though, what if you need cash if you with Starling? There are no ATMs...I guess you can get from other bank ATMs but might cost you.

  • A benefit entitlement letter less than 12 months old, confirming the benefit payable at the time of issue
  • A UK blue disabled driver’s pass (with photo)
  • A UK Armed Forces identity card
  • An HMRC tax notification dated within 12 months
  • A Home Office immigration status document or application registration card
  • A valid Northern Ireland voter's card
  • An introduction from a parent or guardian who banks with us
  • A Young Scot National Entitlement Card (only for applicants under 18)
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Chris_the_Brit said:
Ah, it's free to use other bank ATMs. Heh, imagine that....SA banks will never do that.
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Everything about a UK current account is free unless you go overdrawn.

But as a matter of interest, are you moving over there or is it a holiday?
 
You can order a Giff-Gaff sim for free to be sent anywhere in the world and then activate it when you are in the UK. I selected £10 "goodie bag" as they call it. You only get charged once you actually activate the sim. Ordered it today, will update when it actually arrives at my house.
 
Chris_the_Brit said:
It's usually a complete pain in the arse to get a UK bank account with a traditional bank.
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Opening a Bank Account was my biggest challenge since moving to the UK to date. I was in a catch22 of needing a bank account to get a place but also needed a place to get a bank account (proof of address). Approached every Bank possible in the end HSBC was the only one that accepted a very specifically written letter from my employer.

After 185 days in the UK you can trade you SA license for a UK one, heard it helps with insurance premiums and car rentals. Process is pretty straight forward, get the application from post office, a passport photo, about 70 quid cash for postal order (payment) and optional special delivery
 
RVQ said:
Opening a Bank Account was my biggest challenge since moving to the UK to date. I was in a catch22 of needing a bank account to get a place but also needed a place to get a bank account (proof of address). Approached every Bank possible in the end HSBC was the only one that accepted a very specifically written letter from my employer.

After 185 days in the UK you can trade you SA license for a UK one, heard it helps with insurance premiums and car rentals. Process is pretty straight forward, get the application from post office, a passport photo, about 70 quid cash for postal order (payment) and optional special delivery
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Next up will be her drivers license conversion. Ordered the forms online and was delivered to her home address yesterday. Will probably only do it in 2 months time though.
 
RVQ said:
Opening a Bank Account was my biggest challenge since moving to the UK to date. I was in a catch22 of needing a bank account to get a place but also needed a place to get a bank account (proof of address). Approached every Bank possible in the end HSBC was the only one that accepted a very specifically written letter from my employer.

After 185 days in the UK you can trade you SA license for a UK one, heard it helps with insurance premiums and car rentals. Process is pretty straight forward, get the application from post office, a passport photo, about 70 quid cash for postal order (payment) and optional special delivery
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When did you apply for your license? I only paid about £45 for mine.

Also, important to note, for those who don't know, that the UK license replaces your SA one permanently, i.e. you send it off with your passport, application and postal order, and they send back your passport and new UK license only. Haven't been asked for my license when driving back in SA, but sure it'll be an interesting conversation with the Metro when I whip out a UK license instead of a Saffer one.

And can second the frustration with opening a bank account: eventually got lucky at Lloyd's - literally the last high street bank I tried. Even had to make an appointment at HSBC only to be told they don't open accounts at the branch they sent me to. You guys using Monzo are extremely lucky.
 
RVQ said:
Opening a Bank Account was my biggest challenge since moving to the UK to date. I was in a catch22 of needing a bank account to get a place but also needed a place to get a bank account (proof of address). Approached every Bank possible in the end HSBC was the only one that accepted a very specifically written letter from my employer.

After 185 days in the UK you can trade you SA license for a UK one, heard it helps with insurance premiums and car rentals. Process is pretty straight forward, get the application from post office, a passport photo, about 70 quid cash for postal order (payment) and optional special delivery
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We are leaving late November. Managed to organise accommodation for a few months with a South African couple. They have granny flat with own garden for our dogs. What's great is that they are giving us a letter as proof of residence when we arrive so we can open accounts and stuff.

The 185 days is only for non citizens. I phoned about 2 months ago and Dave told me this. So I will immediately convert mine as I am citizen.

Which area are you in?
 
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The Voice said:
When did you apply for your license? I only paid about £45 for mine.

Also, important to note, for those who don't know, that the UK license replaces your SA one permanently, i.e. you send it off with your passport, application and postal order, and they send back your passport and new UK license only. Haven't been asked for my license when driving back in SA, but sure it'll be an interesting conversation with the Metro when I whip out a UK license instead of a Saffer one.

And can second the frustration with opening a bank account: eventually got lucky at Lloyd's - literally the last high street bank I tried. Even had to make an appointment at HSBC only to be told they don't open accounts at the branch they sent me to. You guys using Monzo are extremely lucky.
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How long did it take from sending in your SA drivers to get the UK one back?

Did not know that they keep the SA drivers licence. I'm sure that it's only your SA drivers licence card that is kept and destroyed and you could get a new one issued in SA.
 
The Voice said:
Also, important to note, for those who don't know, that the UK license replaces your SA one permanently, i.e. you send it off with your passport, application and postal order, and they send back your passport and new UK license only. Haven't been asked for my license when driving back in SA, but sure it'll be an interesting conversation with the Metro when I whip out a UK license instead of a Saffer one.
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I've been driving here with a UK license for 20 years. The conversation is rarely interesting.
 
bwana said:
I've been driving here with a UK license for 20 years. The conversation is rarely interesting.
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Good to know. Though, my trips back to SA are probably going to be limited in the future anyway.
 
signates said:
How long did it take from sending in your SA drivers to get the UK one back?

Did not know that they keep the SA drivers licence. I'm sure that it's only your SA drivers licence card that is kept and destroyed and you could get a new one issued in SA.
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Give or take a week?

And yes, you send the card in and never get it back, though you're still licensed in SA if you keep renewing it every 5 years I guess.
 
And this why we voted for Brexit in 2016, yet it has still not happened...........

Folk are still trying to get in.
 
Whright said:
And this why we voted for Brexit in 2016, yet it has still not happened...........

Folk are still trying to get in.
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What? So Brexit was about stopping uk citizens from bringing their partners to the UK?

Brexit or no Brexit, my wife is a British citizen, and as her husband, Brexit would not prevent this type of immigration where spouses are allowed to enter the UK and work there.
 
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