Answers · Question
Can I open a UK bank account with no credit history?
Yes, if you are legally resident. Ask for a basic bank account. The largest banks must offer one. Everyday sterling use is free, there is no overdraft, and the credit check is soft. Santander and the Co-operative Bank take that application online.
- You still need identity. An eVisa share code lasts 90 days. A proof of address is usually a Home Office letter, a doctor, a college, an employer, a tenancy or a bill.
- A bank must not open a current account for a person who is in the UK illegally.
- Monzo and Starling do not have to offer a basic account. A refusal there is not the end.
Financial Conduct Authority, basic bank accounts
Indicative only. Not advice. Confirm it on the official page before you rely on it.