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by EveYoung
1558 days ago
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In the UK, opening a bank account is a very simple process even for refrugees. They only need a passport and proof of address (e.g., tenancy agreement). If you use one of the challenger banks, you can do everything from your phone and receive your debit card in a couple of days. |
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First, even citizens can find it challenging to join a challenger bank. Some UK citizens don't have the types of documentation those banks require. I once spoke with customer service of one when they asked for a photo of my passport 1 year after I'd opened the account. I knew not everyone had a passport or other document they accepted, and the bank confirmed a substantial minority of UK citizens had no way to meet the identity requirements, and they were fine with not having those people as customers.
So imagine what it's like for a refugee: It is not uncommon to flee somewhere without a passport with you. A bad idea, but obviously it happens. Maybe you never even had a passport.
Second, because the UK "hostile environment" laws exist to prevent access to banking as well as access to tenancies.
In some parts of the UK, banks are required to check your visa status.
If you're a refugee with supporting documents from the UK state, you should be fine getting a bank account, though it may take longer to verify your identity. If you lack those documents, perhaps because you're a new refugee who fled somewhere in haste and hasn't been through the system yet, or whose claim was denied because the UK system is infamously unsympathetic, not so much. Even the online challenger banks will not give you an account until after the visa check.
But then, your point about e.g. tenancy agreement would also get in the way.
In some parts of the UK all potential landlords, even "informal" ones, are required by law to check visa status, and must refuse to give a tenancy to someone who does not pass the checks.