Opening Bank Account in UK

I had already opened a Monzo bank account previously, while I came here in UK for my PLAB 2 Exam. I recommend everyone coming here for the first time (not on work visa) to get an account with Monzo. Firstly because its not safe to carry cash in pounds while roaming around, secondly, keeping all those changes of coins in pocket is quite bulky, thirdly, this is a best way to get a MasterCard in UK thats fast, easy, free and reliable and finally, you don’t need a separate card for bus or train once you have this. So first of all I am sharing my experience of opening an account with Monzo Bank.

1. I downloaded a Monzo app on my mobile
2. I signed up for an account. It asked all the basic stuffs like personal details, tax residency, UK address and UK mobile number. After entering all the details carefully, I was asked to scan my passport using the mobile’s camera (here you cant upload it from your gallery, rather you need to take a fresh photo from within the app).
3. Then it verified my email address by sending an email link to my email inbox and mobile number by texting a code to my mobile.
4. Next step was to verify my identity. They did this, by asking me to record a video and verbalize myself telling that ‘I want a monzo account’. 
5. Within couple of hours, my account was up and running. I got an account number and a sort code.
6. In next couple of days, a MasterCard was delivered to my address, then I was made to set a PIN from within the app.
7. After that next step I did was to add money to the account. I had cash, which I deposited into my account. There are two ways to do it. You can give the cash to anyone who has a bank account in UK, and ask them to send the money by bank transfer from their bank account to your account. It doesn’t cost money to anyone to make a bank transfer. This is preferred way. Otherwise, you can always go to any shop which shows paypoint logo, and ask them to deposit cash in your account. You also need to give them card while depositing this cash. You will get money within 10 mins and they will deduce you 1£ for this deposit.
8. Done. One piece of advice, keep at-least 100£ in cash for emergency.

However, once you are here for your work, you may need a proper bank account which has physical branch unlike monzo. For this, I went with Barclays bank. Here are the steps I followed.

1. I downloaded Barclays Banking app from Playstore.

2. It asked me for few personal details, salary details, employer details and my passport. Then it asked me to record a video, which I did as per instruction.

3. Then it asked me to verify my address. No need of any letter regarding proof of address from HR, you can now just do it with the help of GPS sensor of your mobile.

Once you keep your UK address, it asks to allow location access in your mobile and checks if you are on that location. Make sure you are inside your home while you verify this with GPS sensor. Wrong location will lead to a failure.

4. Next step is to just wait. In couple of days, you will get a code posted to your address.

Use that code to activate your account in the app.

5. Once done, you will wait for another 1-2 days and you will get a debit card posted to your address. By this time, you will also get your account number and sort code.

6. In another couple of days, you will get your Barclays debit card pin.

Done. Your account is up and running now. Note that it will take at-least a week for the app to become fully functional. Once done, download the account opening letter from within the app and send it to your HR to enroll you in the payroll.

I personally like this digital way of opening an account (which is new), because I was able to do this while still in quarantine.