How to apply for Barclays bank account as a foreigner

One of the oldest banking institutions in the world and the leader of the British finance industry – Barclays – successfully manages assets of £24 billion. Its current accounts can be tailored to customers’ needs and linked to a high-interest savings account.

While a British citizen and any foreign resident with a UK home address and mobile number can open an account in the Barclays app, by sending a video selfie, some foreigners are limited to other options. The process is way more thorough than registering on your average coursework writing service website so you better be prepared.

Firstly, they can visit the nearest Barclays branch to open an account. In terms of personal health safety, however, potential customers are advised to use online application forms. The online application is available only during the following UK hours:

• Monday to Saturday, from 6 am to 11:59 pm
• Sunday, from 8 am to 6:30 pm

You have to answer a few questions about your nationality and residence to determine what kind of account you are eligible for.

For instance, non-residents who aren’t going to move to the UK in the near future, live in the EU, and aren’t going to deposit sums greater than 25,000 GBP, can open a Barclays basic account.

If you currently live in the UK but pay taxes elsewhere, you’ll need your foreign tax residency details and tax identification number(s)(TINs). Moreover, you must provide all your addresses for the past 3 years with the current address being in the UK. At the same time, you’ll be able to apply for the standard type of current account.

If you live outside the EU and have no intention of moving to the UK, you’ll be offered an international bank account as a valid option.

During the application process, you’ll be required to fill in the usual personal details such as your name, address, contact phone number, etc. Some documents are also requested.

If you’re applying for the international bank account at Barclays, you’ll need to send:

• Certified ID copy;
• Certified copy or original proof of address (bank statement, utility bill, etc.);
• Signed Client Agreement. Suitable forms are available here.

If you’re not sure which documents are acceptable or how to certify and upload them properly, please, check the Application Guide for more details.

For other types of accounts, only two types of documents are required. One document should prove your identity, while another document will prove your UK address (you can’t use the same document twice though).

Proof of identity:

• Valid passport with a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ).
• Driving license:
  – Full UK, EU, or EEA photocard driving license;
  – Provisional UK photocard driving license;
  – UK paper driving license (as long as the address is current)
• Centrally issued EU and EEA national identity card with a Machine Readable Zone. Barclays doesn’t accept ID cards from Romania or Greece.
• Valid biometric residence permit issued in the UK with a Machine Readable Zone.
• Home Office immigration status document or application registration card.
• Valid Northern Ireland voter’s card.

Proof of address:

• Driving license.
• Bank statement issued within the last three months. The bank can be situated in any country as long as your own address on the statement is situated in the UK.
• A statement from a UK credit card company, dated within the last three months.
• UK gas, electricity, water, or landline bill, dated within the last three months.
• UK, EU, or EEA mortgage statement, as long as it shows a UK address
• A council tax bill, demand letter, or exemption certificate, issued within the last 12 months.
• A tenancy agreement from a local council or housing association, dated within the last 12 months.
• A universal credit benefit statement less than 12 months old.
• A benefit entitlement letter (other than universal credit) less than 12 months old, confirming the benefit payable at the time of issue.
• An HMRC tax notification dated within the last 12 months.
• A UK credit union statement dated within the last three months.
• An introduction from a parent or guardian who banks with Barclays.

Foreign students

Barclays offers a special student account for both domestic and foreign students.

To open one as a foreigner:

• You must be over 18 and living in the UK;
• You need to do a full-time undergraduate degree that lasts at least two years or a postgraduate degree that lasts at least one year;
• You should plan to use the account as your main bank account.

Except for the standard ID and address proofs, students shall also provide documents illustrating their current student status.

This could be a student ID card (NUS and student union cards aren’t valid) or a UCAS letter (less than 12 months old, showing an offer of a place on a course in the current or next academic year).

If you’re living on campus or at a university-owned property and have a letter from your university that includes both your address and your university place, it can be used as both proofs of address and student status. If you want to open a graduate account, you’ll also need to bring in proof that you’ve completed your studies, such as a degree certificate.

If you’re a Higher Apprentice, you’ll need to provide your apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement. In case you’d like to apply for an overdraft as well, please, show evidence of your salary/income.

If you cannot provide the given documents for some reason, you can contact the bank directly to discuss your specific situation.

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