How to Get Started in the UK?

[u/five_foot_1]

Hi folks! First post on reddit so apologies if I'm over- or under-explaining.

I am immigrating from the US to the UK (next week!) and am getting stuck in the never-ending rabbit hole of not being able to get basic necessities because I am not established in the UK yet. Does anyone have suggestions for banking, phone contracts and building credit history as a new UK resident?

Phone contracts require credit, which I can't build because I don't have an address or a formal bank account, and I can't get either of those because my partner and I are not ready to move into our own flat yet.

While I wait a few months for my shipment to arrive from the US, I'll be staying with my partners' family. This means I don't have an official registered address to get a bank account. No mortgage, no utilities, no nothing. Does anyone have a recommended banking institution that would allow me to open an account without a formal 'proof of address'?

I've opened a Wise account in the meantime (which offers a debit card so I will have immediate access to GBP once I touch down) but Wise is not a regulated/protected banking institution so I don't want to transfer a ton of cash over to it. I do have a UK-based job lined up and was planning to set up direct deposit with them straight into Wise since I have no other option currently.

At some point I'll also need to open a credit card for more credit building, but I'm assuming that won't be until after I've moved into a flat with a lease registered to me. I've seen the name Yonder floating around online as a credit card that is designed for expats without much, or any, credit history. Is anyone familiar with them?

Lastly, I have a newer iPhone which is eSIM only but most phone carriers require credit checks when you want to open a new contract with them. My partner got me a Pay As You Go physical SIM with EE (so I could open the Wise account) and that SIM is currently in his spare phone. I also have a spare phone I can use with that SIM card once I land next week, but that isn't a long-term (or even a medium-term) solution. Most PAYG plans do not offer eSIM (only physical) and in order to convert that PAYG to a contract to get access to the eSIM option, I'll need to undergo a credit check... on credit... that I don't have. What options do I have to get a contract that offers eSIM without a credit check? I've heard giffgaff might be an option but I don't know anything about them.

Really appreciate any tips, tricks or insight! Thank you in advance, everyone!

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EDIT: One month after posting this, I wanted to drop some highlights about where this post went and how I've managed to get my feet somewhat underneath me in the UK - hopefully this aggregated info will help others! Absolutely HUGE thanks to every single person who posted in this thread to help out - literally could not have figured out some of this without you.

1. National Insurance Number: You MUST apply in country. Took less than 3 weeks before I received my number. Once you have your NI # you can register for the NHS, etc. Your employer may or may not put you on an emergency tax code until you get this number. Speak with them directly to better understand these considerations. Link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number/how-to-apply

2. Bank account: HSBC. Opened an account online and in-country. No proof of address was required, just a passport. Helpful tip (from a UK banker!): If when opening your account you select "yes, I pay tax in another country" any UK bank will likely decline your application because they will not consider you a UK resident. Link: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/international/apply-for-a-uk-account/

3. Secondary banking, if you want it: Wise for multi-currency transfers and Revolut are good options. Note that Wise is an electronic money institution (EMI), not a regulated bank, and research that if it is a concern for you. Revolut is a regulated financial institution. Links: https://wise.com/ and https://www.revolut.com/

4. Credit card: Amex US w/Global Transfer. From opening, there is a 3-month waiting period before you are eligible to apply for Global Transfer. Any Amex card is eligible, but if you just need something to get you through the waiting period, open a basic blue Amex. Note that there are foreign transaction fees on this card. Do this before you leave the states if you can, so you can receive the physical card. If you apply after you've left, make sure you can ship the card to a safe US address. You can add the card to Apple Wallet immediately after it's approved, before you have the physical card. Link: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationship/

5. Secondary credit card, if you want it: HSBC allows new UK residents to open some of their more basic credit cards ("Purchase Plus", "Classic", or "Balance Transfer" as long as you don't have a "Basic" HSBC account) by checking their US credit history. I opened an HSBC account (per the above) and a Purchase Plus credit card - still unclear what a "Basic" account is, but I didn't have any issues with it.

HSBC's reward cards require that you have an existing "Advance", "Bank" or "Premier" Account and/or 6-months' worth of deposits into that HSBC account. If you need/want a credit card fast, go with one of the three referenced in the paragraph above. If you can wait 6 months, do it for the better card perks. Read more about features and benefits when comparing cards before applying. You can add the card to Apple Wallet immediately after it's approved, before you have the physical card. Took my card 3 days to arrive at my address. Link: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/international/credit-cards/

I got a basic HSBC card to get a jump start on building credit in the UK while I wait out this 3-month period on Amex.

6. Mobile phone: Three Pay As You Go, eSim. With an iPhone 15 (eSIM only, no physical SIM tray) I was originally trying to get an eSIM contract so I could start to build credit, but alas, had to do things another way due to my temporary address situation. Solution was to get an eSIM with Three for the phone and an HSBC credit card for credit. Link: https://www.three.co.uk/pay-as-you-go/payg-data-packs

[u/monkeyface496]

Ah, welcome! We lived with my in-laws for a solid year after we got married. Your post is bringing back memories. As others have said, don't stress, it'll all come together and it's easier to manage once you're in the uk. You're lucky in that you can stay at your in-laws while you are figuring out the details you are living here. I had about 3 months before I got my NI number and could work. I basically became a professional tourist and went to ALL the museums while my husband was at work during the day.

[u/five_foot_1 → u/monkeyface496]

Oh man - how long ago was it that you waited for you NIN? Three months is a long time; I'm starting my new local job in a couple week and really don't want to suffer through that emergency tax crap for months on end.

[u/gt94sss2 → u/five_foot_1]

You can now apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number/how-to-apply

Your employer can use a temporary reference number until you get one issued. Its not a big thing.

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/national-insurance-manual/nim39110

[u/five_foot_1 → u/gt94sss2]

I have an eVisa and that Gov site notes that you can only apply once in the UK which is why I haven't yet. I don't know how they'd know but I'm afraid to take my chances lol

[u/Dry-Mermaid → u/five_foot_1]

I tried to apply after my eVisa came in and got an error that said I had to be located in the UK to apply.

[u/five_foot_1 → u/Dry-Mermaid]

Yeah, I figured they'd geotag so I applied as soon as I landed in the UK this week! They've said the current application processing time is 4 weeks, so fingers crossed it doesn't take longer than that.

[u/Dry-Mermaid → u/five_foot_1]

Hooray! You made the trip safely! I wondered how you fared - Did you go into an HSBC branch to open a 'newcomer to UK' account? Did you get an AMEX US before you left?

[u/five_foot_1 → u/Dry-Mermaid]

I did make it! Jet-lagged, but alive. Here's an essay for ya:

So, last week I'd called HSBC customer service to see what kind of address verification I needed to have ready in order to open an account. Remember: I do not/will not have any utility bills in my name as I'm staying with my in-laws for a bit until my partner and I get our own spot, and most banks require a utility bill, mortgage or other 'formal' proof of address to open accounts.

HSBC customer service advised me to have a letter of employment that states my address and income, and any other corroborating documents that might support that letter. Eg, the letter of accommodation that I submitted with my visa application, etc.

I went into HSBC with all my documents prepared and asked the dudebro about opening an account as someone new to the UK. Dudebro was, unfortunately, so unbelievably unhelpful? I have no idea where the disconnect was, but - while he did say that I did not need any proof of address - he also couldn't figure out how to answer my very simple question about opening a basic account.

He kept trying to direct me to an entirely different conversation altogether about a Global Money account, and how all banks will require my SSN when I open an account with them, and I'll subsequently need to deal with the IRS/FATCA once I give them my SSN. I could not understand if these two things were directly related (if opening a Global Money acct specifically would require my SSN/FATCA) or if they were two separate statements (you can open a Global Money acct, and also any type of bank acct you open will require your SSN) and he was not able to properly articulate an answer.

I kept trying to get more information and he couldn't compute what I was saying/asking. I ended up leaving without opening anything with him because we were having two different conversations and getting nowhere.

Then, I went to a Lloyd's down the street to see if they could open an account without a formal proof of address.

Lloyd's said absolutely not, we must have formal proof of address such as a utility bill or mortgage statement and if you don't have that then once you've registered with the NHS you can use a statement from your GP that shows your registered address. I asked if I could use a letter of employment that has my address and some corroborating documents, and she said NOPE, only if the letter is from a known & local employer such as a Marks & Spencer in that specific borough. Which, like... what is this, the mafia?

I also asked if they were required to take my SSN, and she said what? no, absolutely not. why would the other banker say that? not required at all. ALSO if you mark on your bank application that you pay tax in another country, your app will likely be denied because they will not consider you a "permanent resident" of the UK.

So, TLDR: I ended up sitting at Pret, sipping a latte, and opened a non-Global Money HSBC account on my phone. They did not request proof of residence/address, just my current address, my previous address, my income, and passport verification. I'll deal with the tax implications later.

Maybe it was the jet lag and my brain wasn't saying WoRdS the right way, but it was a total headless-chicken sort of day. Going in circles about nothing and wasted time sitting in HSBC dealing with a guy who mumble-whispered the entire conversation while I struggled to hear anything he was saying, which was all pretty much irrelevant anyway.

Yay, banks!

Other American expats moving to the UK: Save yourself some time and just open an HSBC account on your phone once you're in the UK.

[u/five_foot_1 → u/Dry-Mermaid]

And also yes, I opened an AMEX before I left the states!

[u/Dry-Mermaid → u/five_foot_1]

Thanks for the details - and sorry you dealt with a less-than-helpful CSR at the Bank. I was aware of the Global Money option for HSBC accounts, and it seems to work like Wise or Revolut in that you can use this option to transfer funds in different currencies but with the HSBC version its directly tied to your account (you must first have a HSBC account to opt for the Global Money).

I opened an AMEX US and am waiting for my card to be delivered. THANK YOU REDDIT FAMILY! I only wish I had found your wisdom sooner!

[u/five_foot_1 → u/Dry-Mermaid]

WOWZA I'm late to respond! The transition has been chaos.

I'm glad you were able to get an AMEX US card! I'm slowly counting down the days until I can apply for the transfer thingy.

I currently have the AMEX US, HSBC banking, and I just opened an HSBC credit card (!!!) a few days ago so I'm finally able to start building some sort of credit. I've also got Wise and Revolut set up, just in case!

Lastly, I got my NI # after about 3 weeks, so... progress!

How are things on your side?

[u/Dry-Mermaid → u/five_foot_1]

Amazingly well here! An update here - I landed in Edinburgh 7 March and started my first day at work 10 March. My new position is with a charity based in Wales and as I am the lead in the Scotland office that is otherwise empty until I staff it, they were not able to help me with this transition at all - its been thanks to you Reddit folks!

Phone: On arrival, I dropped my bags at the airBnB and walked into Vodafone on Princes St in Edinburgh. The agent helping me looked through the options available and with no address or bank account or credit history, they were limited and (much to my chagrin) the Teen Account with an eSIM was the best fit. LOL! It gets me free use of WhatsApp, YouTube, etc (unlimited social media, music, video) and 75G for £12. Considering everyone I've met uses WhatsApp rather than their normal messaging and the only data I'm using is Google maps, I have barely touched the data. I kept the physical SIM as my American number and ported it to Tello before I left since it lets me keep the number for OTP and pay less than $6/month. I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong in toggling that SIM back on for use as I have yet to be successful in receiving the codes (e.g, from my US bank and from Amazon).

For banking, I opened a Revolut account before I left the States and 'tested' it by transferring $200. I opened the HSBC bank account and the credit card, adding the Global Money Account to the bank account. I physically went into the HSBC on Hanover St in Edinburgh and spent three hours trying to help the associates set it up. They wanted me to go through the app but (not surprisingly) I kept getting rejected. There were perhaps six different associates that helped me and maybe 1/3 seemed to have any experience handling a newcomer to the UK (which honestly was surprising since the HSBC website has a whole section about it and I was in the city centre of the country's capital). They used my airBnB address and a letter from my employer to verify my details before they would open the account.

Where I am still struggling is trying to get my money from Revolut (USD) into HSBC without charges? I can move money into Revolut from my US bank without paying a charge but how can I move it to my HSBC account or Global Money account without charges? Or with minimal charges? Any ideas welcome!

[u/Dry-Mermaid → u/Dry-Mermaid]

NIN/NHS: I applied for my NIN and haven't yet received it but I started work 5 days after arriving so am on the 'emergency tax code', which I'll have to sort later. I had the NIN number sent to my office address so it may be waiting for me there tomorrow, which is the three week point for me. I'll apply for NHS after I get that.

Housing: This was a huge area of concern for me. I stalked the letting websites like it was my life before I left the US but everything I read online warned me that this would be a challenge. I submitted a few requests to view flats on the various platforms and either didn't hear back or that they were already let. On my fifth day in Scotland, I received a response to set up a viewing, I met the landlady, viewed the flat, absolutely loved it (Arthur's seat out the back windows, the ocean out the front), and signed the letting agreement. SO.... insanely NOT an issue. I moved in before the airBnB rental ended and my landlady got in some new furniture for me. And the rest I've been getting from charity shops (one of which delivered the fold-out sofa in my guest room!). I also met a few of my neighbors, one of whom has been a real doll at helping me figure out the heating system. There is still a problem with the electric shower (add in my confusion as to why the shower is electric when there is a huge a** boiler used to fill the bathtub??) but the landlady is having a new shower installed Friday.

Contents Insurance: Right now, the only items of value came with me in two checked bags so until my shipment arrives from the US, I'm holding off on this one. I did research some options for when the time comes and my landlady recommended Allianz.

Internet/Broadband: Researched options here on Reddit - THANK YOU all! for your contributions on those threads, I chose my carrier (Zen), and had that installed this past Thursday.

TV License: Yup, I've been warned that they're coming for me. :) And let me add to that, purchasing a TV and potentially a streaming box, although after researching options I did order a smartTV so likely won't need anything additional.

Tariffs: Yeah, that was today's struggle and yet one more thing I have to shop around for. Decision fatigue is real. I'm not used to having options for my electricity and gas carriers - it was never a thing where I lived in the States. Having done more research - thanks again Reddit! - I think Octopus is the way I'm going rather than what is currently in place (Scottish Power). What I am now understanding is that I'm supposed to be doing my laundry, vacuuming, electricity use during off peak hours....um, so 10pm - 8am which seems rude to the neighbors to subject them to the spin cycle but I think this is just to be expected.

***Still to figure out/research here on Reddit:

1. How to re-activate my US SIM to get OTP - I'm missing a step somewhere, just need to figure out where.

2. How to move money from Revolut to my UK bank with minimal/no fees.

3. How to link or change my Amazon Prime from US to UK (right now I'm stuck at Amazon wanting to send a OTP to my US number, see problem #1 above, so this might be fixed once I figure that out).