Immigration status and current accounts
Updated 5 April 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-account-closed-or-refused-based-on-immigration-status/immigration-status-and-current-accounts
If you’ve been refused a current account because of your immigration status
Banks and building societies are required to carry out immigration status checks on people applying for current accounts. Under the Immigration Act 2014 they must refuse your application for a new current account (or an application to add you as a signatory or identified beneficiary to a new or existing current account) if you are a disqualified person.
You may be disqualified if you are in the UK and need leave to enter or remain (under the Immigration Act 1971) and don’t have it.
You should now either make an application to remain in the UK or make arrangements to leave.
If you believe there has been a mistake and you have been wrongly refused a current account, you should contact the Home Office.
If your current account has been closed because of your immigration status
Banks and building societies are required to carry out immigration status checks on people who hold current accounts. If you are identified as being disqualified from holding an account, then under the Immigration Act 2014 (as amended by the Immigration Act 2016) the bank or building society must close your accounts (or restrict access where you are a signatory or identified beneficiary, or the account is jointly held with a non-disqualified person). You may be disqualified if you are in the UK and need leave to enter or remain (under the Immigration Act 1971) and don’t have it.
The Home Office has the power under the Immigration Act 2014 to apply for a freezing order in relation to current accounts for disqualified persons.
You should now either make an application to remain in the UK or make arrangements to leave.
If you believe there has been a mistake and you have wrongly had your existing account closed, you should contact the Home Office.
Help to leave the UK voluntarily
Find out how the Home Office can provide assistance and support to help you return home voluntarily if you’re in the UK illegally.