Current account closed or refused based on immigration status
Guidance on what to do if your application for an account is declined or if your account is closing because you are in the UK illegally.
Documents
Details
If you are in the UK illegally you may be disqualified from opening or continuing to operate a current account.
Immigration Act 2014
Banks and building societies must not open a new current account for you or add you to an existing account if you are disqualified. This took effect on 12 December 2014 under section 40 of the Immigration Act 2014.
Read ‘Home Office leaflet: current account application refused’ for information about what to do if your application for a current account is turned down, because of your immigration status.
If you believe there has been a mistake and you have been wrongly refused a current account, you should contact the Home Office with details of your immigration status.
Immigration Act 2016
Banks and building societies can also close or restrict access to your existing account if you are disqualified. This took effect on 30 October 2017 under section 40G of the Immigration Act 2014 – as amended by the Immigration Act 2016.
Read ‘Home Office leaflet: current account closed’ for information about what to do if your existing current account has been closed, because of your immigration status.
If you believe there has been a mistake and you have been wrongly refused a current account or had your existing account closed in error, you should contact the Home Office by either:
- calling 0300 123 4979
- visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ask-the-home-office-to-check-your-immigration-status-is-correct
- writing to:
Complaints Allocation (IC)
Customer Correspondence Hub
4th Floor
2 Ruskin Square
Dingwall Road
Croydon
CR0 2WF
The Financial Conduct Authority monitors banks and building societies to make sure they comply with statutory requirements under section 40 and sections 40A to 40H of the Immigration Act 2014. It provides information for banks and building societies.
Read our guidance on immigration status checks for banks and building societies.
Updates to this page
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Welsh translations added. The address for querying a decision has changed.
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'Current account closed' and 'Current account application refused' documents updated.
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Updated contact information on Home Office leaflet: current account closed and Home Office leaflet: current account application refused.
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Updated contact information under the two Immigration Act sections.
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"Current account closed or refused based on immigration status" updated to reflect the UK's withdrawal from the EU, clarify that these account closures are due to immigration status and for simplification.
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Updated guidance in the detail section.
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New phone number for complaints allocation hub and updated leaflet: current account closed or refused based on immigration status.
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First published.