If you are just arriving in the UK as a graduate or postgraduate international student, one of the things to do is to open a bank account.
You can open a UK bank account as an international with just your passport and address. And for banks that ask for a proof of address document, you can provide your school acceptance letter.
Therefore, find out in this post how to successfully open a UK bank account as a newcomer easily.
UK Bank Accounts for International Students
Both online and physical banks in the UK allow international students to open accounts with them. But why it seems difficult is the document physical banks do request to open the account. Yet these banks do open accounts for individuals with a student visa.
Despite these difficulties, you can open a UK bank account with a student visa. Your passport and residential address are the main thing. In contrast, the proof of address document is not requested by all UK banks.
Generally, it is free to open a UK bank account. Some online banks do offer a premium service however, the free account is enough for you as a student. Also, some banks may charge you for getting a debit card while other banks give it for free, such as Monzo.
Essentially, you open a current account in UK, however, an international student can open a savings account.
As an international student, you can get a debit card for your UK bank account. And you can use it to withdraw money on ATMs, spend in physical stores and use it for online payments. While some UK banks give free debit cards such as Monzo, others do not.
Read: How to Open Uk Bank Account without Proof of Address.
Documents to Open UK Bank Account for International Students
Depending on the UK banks one or combinations of the following documents:
Here are the documents needed to open a UK bank account for international students:
- Proof of Identity: Your international passport.
- Proof of Address document: Such as rental agreement and utility bill (electricity, gas, water, etc.).
- School Acceptance letter: This is a letter you can get from your school student portal or from the department in charge of international students.
Indeed, getting proof of address documents is difficult for international students. This is why physical banks in the UK do request for letter of acceptance from the school as an alternative document to open a bank account.
Interestingly, opening an online UK bank like Monzo or Revolut is very easy as they do not request a proof of address document. All you need is your international passport and residential address.
Best Banks for International Students in Uk
So which UK bank is best for international students? selecting the banks is based on the following criteria: ease of account opening, required documents, and services.
Therefore, here are the best UK banks for international students:
- Monzo Bank
- Revolut
- Chase Bank
- Halifax
- Barclays
- HSBC
- Santander
- RSB
- Lloyds
Obviously, online banks are favourable to international students because of their ease in account opening. You can open it in a day without proof of address for free. And they offer good services such as better interest rates on savings.
However, if you do prefer physical banks to online banks, apply to any of these banks mentioned above.
How to Open Monzo Bank Account as an International Student
Monzo bank is one of the best banks for international students. It offers a free account, free debit card and referral bonus. This is why students use Monzo. In fact, you do not need a proof of address document, but an address. This is why Monzo is suitable for every international student.
Below is how to open Monzo account for international students:
- Download the bank app through this Monzo link.
- Create an account.
- Verify your identity with a Photo ID and a selfie video.
- Select Account type.
- Lastly, activate your account with a debit card.
Monzo does not charge a monthly fee unless you choose a premium account type starting from 5 per month
Also, Monzo will send you a Mastercard debit card to your residential address for free within 5 working days.
To learn more, read on How to Open Monzo Bank Account.
Read: How to get Monzo Referral Bonus.
Documents needed to open Monzo account
The only document you need to open a Monzo account as an international student is your passport. No need of BRP. In addition to requesting your international passport, Monzo will also ask you to do a selfie video. That is all you need to do to open a Monzo bank account in the UK.
Although Monzo won’t ask for a proof of address document, the bank will send your free debit card to your residential address. So this is Monzo’s way of verifying your address without asking for a document.
How to Open Revelut Bank Account as an International Student
Revolut is another online bank best for international students. It offers free account without proof of address document and even give referral bonus to new customers. The ease of opening this UK bank account is why students use Revolut is suitable for every international student.
Below is how to open Revolut account for international students:
- Download the Revolut app here.
- Create an account.
- Verify your identity with a valid Photo ID.
- Lastly, select an account plan: free or paid.
READ: How to get Revolut Sign up Bonus
Documents needed to open Revolut account
The only document you need to open a Revolut account as an international student is your passport. No need of BRP. And Revolut does not ask for a proof of address document. Hence, you need an international passport plus an address to open a Revolut bank account in the UK.
Indeed, you can open a Revolut account the day you arrive in the UK. It is that simple!
Although Revolut won’t ask for a proof of address document, it will send your debit card to your residential address if you request for one. Unlike Monzo, you will pay for the shipping cost to get a Revolut debit card
How to Open Halifax Bank Account as an International Student
Halifax is also a good bank for international students. It offers a free account, cashbacks and arranged overdrafts. You can open a Halifax bank account online however, you may need to visit a branch for further proof.
If you are an international student, you are eligible to open a Halifax current account instead of a student account.
However, if you have stayed in the UK for 3 years as a student, you qualify to open the Halifax student current account.
Documents needed to open Revolut account
To open Halifax bank current account, you need a photo ID and proof of address document. Your photo ID can be your passport or BRP. And your proof of address can be a utility bill or school acceptance letter showing your residential address.
These are the documents needed to open a Halifax current account if on a student visa in the UK.
How to Open a Barclays International Student Account
Barclays is a popular UK bank offering account opening for international students. It offers a free bank account and an overdraft. You can open a Barclays bank account online however, you need to visit a branch to submit further proof.
If you are a postgraduate international student, you are eligible to open Barclays bank account through the app.
However, if you have stayed in the UK for 3 years as a student, you qualify to open the Barclays student account.
Documents needed to open Barclays Account
Barclays bank request for a photo ID and proof and proof of address document to open an account for international students. Your photo ID can be your passport or BRP.
And your proof of address is the school acceptance letter confirming your course and residential address.
When you can start your bank account application in Barclays app, you’ll need to visit a branch to provide the acceptance letter from your university.
How to Open Natwest Bank Account as an International Student
Natwest is also a good bank for international students. It offers a free account, cashbacks and overdraft. You can open Natwest bank account online however, you may need to visit a branch for further proof.
If you are an international student, you are eligible to open a Natwest current account online instead of a student account.
However, if you have stayed in the UK for 3 years as a student, you are qualified to open the Halifax student account.
Documents needed to open Natwest account
To open Natwest bank current account, you need a photo ID and proof of address document. Your photo ID can be your Visa passport or BRP.
And your proof of address can be a utility bill or school acceptance letter showing your residential address. Also, you can prove your student status by entering the UCAS Status Code in the application form.
These are the documents you need to open Natwest current account with a student visa in the UK.
Do I need BRP to Open UK Bank Account?
Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is always needed to open a UK bank account as an international student. It is an alternative to your international passport which is the main proof of identity needed to open both online and physical banks in the UK.
Therefore, your passport, not your BRP, is what you really need to open a UK bank account as an international student.
Conclusion
For an international student, it is important to open a UK bank account. And it is equally important to choose the right one. Indeed, with a student visa, you can open a bank account in the UK.
Online banks in the UK are the easiest to open as they require no proof of address documents.
However, UK physical banks request for proof of address documents which can be a utility bill or acceptance letter from your university.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Therefore, try it and let me know your experience by leaving a message in the comment section below.
