Yes, but the bank chooses which Americans it will serve

You can open a UK bank account from the US, but not every UK bank will do it. Most high street banks — Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC — have stopped accepting remote applications from US residents because of the cost and complexity of US tax reporting. The banks that do accept Americans are usually either specialist providers, banks with a US presence, or accounts designed specifically for expats.

The barrier is not legal. It is commercial. UK banks must comply with US tax law (FATCA — the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and file reports on US account holders to the Internal Revenue Service. This creates paperwork and liability that many banks have decided is not worth the effort for a single customer opening an account by post.

Your realistic options depend on whether you already have ties to the UK — a UK address, a UK employer, a UK phone number — and how much money you plan to keep in the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Most traditional UK banks no longer open accounts for US residents explore remotely, because of US tax reporting requirements.
  • HSBC, Barclays International, and Wise are among the few that will, but each has different requirements around proof of address and minimum balances.
  • You will need a UK address (yours, a family member's, or a registered agent's) and a UK phone number to complete the process.
  • The process takes two to four weeks once you submit documents, because the bank must verify your identity and US tax status.
  • If you are moving to the UK, waiting until you arrive and have a UK address makes the process simpler and opens more options.

Banks that accept US residents explore from abroad

HSBC is one of the few major banks still accepting US residents. You can open an HSBC International account online if you have a UK address (even a temporary one) and can provide proof of identity and address. HSBC requires a minimum opening deposit, which varies by account type but is typically £1,000 to £3,000. The process takes place online, but you will need to provide a UK phone number for verification.

Barclays International offers accounts to US residents, though the process is slower than for UK residents. You will need to explore by post, provide notarised copies of your passport and proof of address, and expect the process to take four to six weeks. Barclays requires a UK address and will ask for evidence of your ties to the UK.

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is not a traditional bank but a money transfer and multi-currency account provider. It is easier to open than a bank account and does not require a UK address. Wise accepts US residents and is designed for people who move money between countries regularly. You can open an account entirely online using your US address.

Revolut is another fintech option. It offers a UK account number and sort code to US residents, though the account is not FDIC-insured and is designed more for travel and currency exchange than as a primary banking relationship.

What you will need to provide

Every bank will ask for proof of identity and proof of address. For identity, a valid US passport is standard. Some banks will also accept a US driver's license, but a passport is safer.

For proof of address, you must provide a UK address. This is the sticking point for many Americans. If you do not have a UK address yet, you have three options: use a family member's or friend's address (with their permission and a letter from them confirming you can use it), use a registered agent service (a company that provides a UK address for mail purposes), or wait until you move to the UK and have your own address.

You will also need to confirm your US tax status. The bank will ask whether you are a US citizen or US tax resident and will require you to complete a W-9 form (if you are self-employed) or confirm your Social Security number. This is not optional — it is part of FATCA compliance.

Some banks will ask for a UK phone number. If you do not have one, you can obtain a temporary UK mobile number through services like Skype or a virtual phone number provider before you explore.

Timeline and what happens after you submit

Once you submit your process online or by post, the bank enters a verification phase. They will check your identity against government records, confirm your address, and file your US tax information with their compliance team. This typically takes two to four weeks.

During this time, the bank may contact you by email or phone to ask follow-up questions. They might ask why you are opening the account, whether you plan to receive salary payments into it, or whether you have other UK financial relationships. Answer these questions promptly — delays in responding can add weeks to the process.

Once approved, the bank will send your account details by post to the UK address you provided. If you are in the US, this can take another week to ten days to reach you. Some banks offer a temporary sort code and account number by email while the physical card is in transit.

Why a UK address matters so much

UK banks are required to verify that you are who you say you are and that your address is real. A UK address is easier for them to verify than a US one, and it signals that you have some connection to the UK. Without a UK address, many banks will straightforward decline your process rather than spend time investigating.

If you use a registered agent's address, be clear about this in your process. Some banks will accept it; others will not. Registered agent services cost £50 to £150 per year and provide a real UK address that can receive mail on your behalf. Companies like Everest Registered Agents and Gramercy Registered Agents offer this service specifically for people in your situation.

If you use a family member's address, get written permission from them and keep a copy. The bank may contact them to verify that you are may have access to to use that address.

Alternatives if you cannot open a UK account remotely

If the banks above will not accept you, or if you want to avoid the complexity, you have other routes. Wait until you move to the UK. Once you have a UK address and are physically present, opening an account becomes much simpler. Most banks will open an account in person in a branch within a day or two, and you will have access to more options.

In the meantime, use a multi-currency account like Wise or Revolut to receive and send money between the US and UK. These are not replacements for a bank account — you cannot get a mortgage or overdraft through them — but they work well for everyday transfers and payments.

If you need a UK bank account urgently and cannot wait, consider whether you actually need a traditional bank account or whether a money transfer service would solve your problem. Many Americans living in the US but doing business in the UK use Wise as their primary tool for that purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a UK resident to open a UK bank account?

No, but you need a UK address. You do not need to live in the UK permanently or be a UK citizen. A temporary address, a family member's address, or a registered agent's address will work, though some banks are stricter about which they accept.

Will the bank ask about my US tax obligations?

Yes. Every bank will ask you to confirm your US tax status and will require your Social Security number or ITIN. This is required by US law, not the bank's choice. You will not owe UK tax on the account, but the bank must report it to the IRS.

How long does the whole process take?

From process to receiving your card and being able to use the account, expect four to eight weeks. Two to four weeks is the bank's processing time, and another one to two weeks is postal delivery to the US. Some banks offer faster online access while the card is in transit.

Can I open a UK account if I have a criminal record or bad credit?

UK banks do not typically check US credit scores. They will run a UK credit check, which will show nothing if you have no UK history. A criminal record may be a barrier, but it depends on the bank and the nature of the offense. Contact the bank directly to ask.

What if I move to the UK after opening the account remotely?

Your account will continue to work. Once you are in the UK with a UK address, you can upgrade to a full UK current account with overdraft and other features if you want to, or keep the account you have. Inform the bank of your address change so they have your correct UK address on file.