[Twirrim]

When something similar happened with an immigrant co-worker in the UK, I quickly picked up a second bank account.

He got stuck for about a week and a half with his money all locked up in an account he couldn't access. It was early enough in the month that rent and bills etc. wasn't an issue, we just ended up helping him out buying food for a few days while he sorted out another account and got an advance on his salary.

I remember the range of excuses and explanations for delays from the bank left us all gobsmacked.