[deanCommie]

This is a fairly long story but only one part of this seems like genuine "bureaucracy":

> We went back to the bank (BBVA) and they said our account had been closed due to suspicious activity (the only transaction we made was the initial payment for the internet) and there was nothing they could do.

That's an absolute nightmare (though I don't understand how you weren't notified, or what the recourse typically is for accounts closed due to "suspicious activity".

The rest can be summarized as:

* A business wants billing from a local bank account (not universal, but not unusual)

* Opening a local bank account needs some information confirming your identity, which the police can do.

* Getting these forms isn't instant

* Banks don't have long opening hours

[fakedang]

In the UAE, I downloaded an app, submitted my docs and my details, and got my card the next day (I went to a bank branch - not the branch of my account but just a random branch to get it printed on the spot, even though they offered home delivery, because I wanted to see the process).

In the UK, I visited a nearby Lloyd's branch and got my account open and my stuff in under an hour.

In India and Switzerland, the bank sent a representative to my place, where they did everything from a handheld device, including verification. Done in an hour and got my card by mail in 1-2 days.

The stuff you mentioned in your summary are excuses and not valid ones at all.