Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account in the UK is not always easy. Often you need to have proof of address and other documents that many people don't have when they first arrive.

"The interest rates can be high — so beware of going too far into debt"

It's notoriously difficult to open an account in the UK. To save yourself some headaches, try to organise an account before you leave home. It's worth checking whether your home bank has an affiliation with a UK bank as this can speed up the process once you get to the UK. If you're going to be working for an agency, they can often help you open an account.

If you do put off this task until you arrive in London, good luck — one bank branch may issue you an account on the spot, while another will mess you around. Get together as much documentation as possible, including proof of ID (passport, driver's licence and/or birth certificate) and evidence of your UK address (a utility bill or lease with your name on it should suffice, but not always). It's also worth bringing a letter from your bank at home as record of your credit history, and a letter from your agency or employer in the UK. The more documentation you have, the easier your application should be.

Some companies like 1st Contact (www.1stcontact.com) will help you get the show on the road for a small fee. This is a great way of doing it because they already have established ties with several major banks and can cut through all the rubbish.

Services between banks vary, so shop around. You should, however, be able to open an account within a week. There are several types of accounts, rates and charges. Switch or Solo are similar to Eftpos. You may also be offered a Cirrus/Maestro ATM card that can be used internationally.

Most banks won't issue credit cards unless you have a long and reliable credit or savings record in the country. If you need a credit card to survive, it's best to bring a Mastercard or Visa card from home. If things get really tight, you should be able to get an overdraft, although the interest rates can be high — so beware of going too far into debt.

The major UK banks are Lloyds TSB (www.lloydstsb.com), Barclays (www.barclays.co.uk), NatWest (www.natwest.co.uk), Royal Bank of Scotland (www.rbs.co.uk) and HSBC (www.hsbc.co.uk). Also try building societies, as they may have better rates. Visit www.switchwithwhich.co.uk for a useful guide to all the bank and building society accounts on the market. Opening hours for UK banks are typically 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Some open on Saturday mornings.