Hi,

She can work from the moment she set foot on British soil.She will need NIN :
http://www.easyexpat.com/forums/ftopic_6363.htm
and bank account.

 

The bank account is a bit tricky. My wife and I had problems with that as well, and I assume for those who just came here, your problem will be the proof of residence. Should you not have ANY document acceptable to banks, secure employment right away. ANY legitimate employment, and from this employment you can secure a certificate of employment which, together with your passport or National Identity Card, will be enough to open a basic bank account, at least with HSBC. This was the route that my wife and I took, and we were successful in opening the basic bank account, which basically gives you just an ATM card to get money out. But that basic bank acount will generate monthly paper statements, which will be acceptable in government, business, or financial institutions should they ask you for a proof of residence.

 

Residence-House or apartment where you live.

 

You could have opened account before even you came to the UK.HSBS and City Bank in the USA could have done that for you ,

 

Well, opening an account in the US is a US based account, denominated in US dollars and not pound sterling. But what could be done though in lieu of proof of address is (and not all banks accept this method but some do), if you have an axisting current account elsewhere, you can have the bank statements sent to your UK address, and some banks will accept that as proof of address, as it is a bank statement with your UK address on it. I tried to switch my mailing address from my bank in the US, but the mails never came though. I just waited till I got a job, then got the employment certificate to give to the bank.

OPening an HSBC account in the US will only entitle me to extend the services I enjoy in the US, but not necessarily be the solution to the problem.

 

As a postscript, funny you mentioned HSBC and Citibank, coz those are the banks I have accounts now with! And I work for Citigroup, the parent company of Citibank. Oh well, being new in another country is always a problem in the beginning....

 

Yes you can open the account before commin to country,there is a service for internation travellers/workers.

 

YOu can only do this if you are being transferred here by a company who will vouch for your identity and residence, as this is the major point of scrutiny for banks due to the Anti-Money Laundering Act and Terrorism Act of 2000. Banks WILL have to prove who you are and where you live, and if you're not here in the UK to be "proven", then the only way for that to happen is when a company will vouch on your behalf. But if you come here without employment, then local UK banking laws apply, and therefore cannot open you a bank account remotely as there are documents needed to be submitted.

 

HSBC UK



"You can open an HSBC account in almost every country that HSBC operates. As different countries have different regulations, our branch staff can provide you with the appropriate documentation for each HSBC Bank and try to ensure your foreign HSBC account is ready when you need it. Generally, it will take 2 to 3 working weeks to open an account in another HSBC group country after the correct forms & documentation have been couriered, so you’ll want to plan ahead. Please contact us at hsbcinternational@hsbc.ca to set up an appointment"

Somebody I know opened the account this way,I was not aware of the conditions that would apply.

So these conditions would apply

 

Hi,
I am close to move to UK, as an EU citizen (german) there is no problem, but proving you are there for a long therm it's different. Lloyds Bank offered me to open an offshore account, and soon after arriving UK I could open an basic account (!), I hope so. My actual Bank is the Commerce Bank, in US dollar, and I can get cash with a debit card.
Good luck everybody!
Willi (living in Southamerica)