Asylum seekers

Refugees and asylum seekers: how to get a bank account

If you are unsure if you have the correct documents, or how to open an account, read our guidance below:

Do you need support to open a bank account?

Positive Action in Housing is running a drop-in session to help open a bank account on Monday mornings between 10:00 and 12:00 at our office, 98 West George Street, Floor 6, G2 1PJ.
If you would like support from us, please book an appointment using this link: https://calendar.app.google/PSjzymzCUmKiHdBx6
If you need more information, please email adam@positiveactionh.org or sunny@positiveactionh.org

Comparing Accounts

You can compare available current accounts with UK banks and their switch offers here: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/current-accounts/results-page/

If you are an asylum seeker living in Scotland

Opening an account with the Bank of Scotland

What will I need to open a Classic Account?

A Home Office Application Registration Card (ARC)

Bank of Scotland will not accept out-of-date ARC cards as a valid form of ID
If you do not have an ARC use this link to check if you can apply for a new card from the Home Office, and how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-registration-card-arc/application-registration-card-arc

A letter of introduction from a caseworker at an organisation such as Positive Action in Housing, which must:

Be dated less than 30 days before opening the account
Be on letterhead paper from the organisation supporting you
Be addressed to the branch of the Bank of Scotland you visit to open the account, 167-201 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8BU
Include your full name and date of birth
Include your full address and postcode
Include the full name and the role of your caseworker
Include a wet signature from your caseworker

A smartphone

You need to access the Bank of Scotland’s website or download their mobile banking app to complete an online application form to open your account:
If you are having trouble filling in the form, ask the staff member at the bank to help you
Once you fill in the form, you will receive an email asking you to visit your local Bank of Scotland to verify your identity and open the account

What do I need to do to open the bank account?

After completing the application form, take your ARC, support letter, and your smartphone to your local Bank of Scotland
You will receive an email after completing the online form asking you to visit your local branch to confirm your identity
You can find your local branch using this link: https://branches.bankofscotland.co.uk/search

If you are an asylum seeker living in England or Wales

Opening an account with Lloyds TSB

What will I need to open a Classic Account?

A Home Office Application Registration Card (ARC)

Lloyds TSB will not accept out-of-date ARC cards as a valid form of ID
If you do not have an ARC use this link to check if you can apply for a new card from the Home Office, and how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-registration-card-arc/application-registration-card-arc

Proof of address

This could be any of the following documents:

Current EU/EEA photo driving licence. (Accepted for online product opening)
Benefits entitlement letter. (Accepted for online product opening)
HMRC Tax Notification.
Local authority tax bill for the current year. (Accepted for online product opening)
Utility bill (such as gas or landline phone bill) dated within the last six months. (Accepted for online product opening)
Bank, building society or UK credit union statement. (Accepted for online product opening)
UK, EU/EEA mortgage statement. (Accepted for online product opening)
Current UK provisional driver's licence. (Accepted for online product opening)
UK credit card statement. (Accepted for online product opening)
Tenancy agreement issued by a solicitor, housing association, local council or reputable letting agency.

If you cannot provide any of the documents listed above, you can provide a letter of introduction from an organisation supporting you.

The letter must:

Be dated less than 30 days before opening the account
Be on letterhead paper from the organisation supporting you
Be addressed to the branch you visit to open the account
Include your full name and date of birth
Include your full address and postcode
Include the full name and the role of your caseworker
Include a wet signature from your caseworker

A smartphone

You need to access the Lloyds TSB website or download their mobile banking app to complete an online application form to open your account
If you are having trouble filling in the form, ask the staff member at the bank to help you
Once you fill in the form, you will receive an email asking you to visit your local Lloyds TSB branch to verify your identity and open the account

What do I need to do to open the bank account?

After completing the application form, take your ARC, proof of address or letter of introduction, and your smartphone to your local Lloyds TSB
Show the staff the email you have received, your ARC, and your proof of address or letter of introduction to open your Classic account
You can find your local branch using this link: https://branches.lloydsbank.com/search

NB It isn’t illegal for someone seeking asylum to have a bank account – but it will depend on the stage they are at with their application for asylum.

If the claim for asylum is rejected and all right of appeal has been exhausted then the person will not be ‘legally resident’ in the UK and the position changes.

The Immigration Act 2014 & 2016 prevents banks from offering accounts to ‘disqualified persons’. Under the Act a ‘disqualified person’ is:

(2)A person is within this subsection if he or she—
(a) is in the United Kingdom, and
(b) requires leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom but does not have it.

If you are a refugee (or have the right to remain in the UK)

To get a UK bank account you will need:

A form of ID (passport, Biometric Residence Permit, or eVisa);
A proof of address (this could be a recent bill, letter from the Home Office, or a tenancy agreement from your housing provider).
If you do not have any of these documents as proof of address, you can use a letter of introduction from an organisation supporting you.

You can find out more about UK banks, the different current accounts you can apply for, and offers to switch your bank here: Best current accounts: Get up to £200 to switch, 1% cashback & more with top bank accounts

Try Monzo

If you're a refugee who's recently arrived in the UK, you can open a UK bank account with Monzo using a valid passport, driving licence or national ID card.

*Note for asylum seekers - Monzo does not accept ARC cards as a valid form of ID.

For more info email adam@positiveactionh.org or sunny@positiveactionh.org

Last updated 24 February 2025