Is it possible to have a UK Bank account while being tax resident in Thailand?

[stubuzz]

11 hours ago, nglodnig said:

As an ex-bank employeee EVERY bank does this for Know Your Customer rules as I had several training sessions on this. Basically to avoid money-laundering they need to know who you are. Only "dodgy" banks skip this

So, in your experience, if a customer has an address in 2 countries would either be accepted under the "know your customer" situation?

The reason I ask is because I currently live in company provided accomodation and do not receive any bills and do not hold a bank account here as my salary is transfered to a UK account. 

[actonion]

22 hours ago, leonard beaven said:

Yes you can have a UK bank account,BUT,they will not send documents or replacement cards to Thailand,for security reasons.

Nationwide will, I asked if i move to Thailand  what will hapen  when my Debit Card expires, they said where ever u move to we will post your replacement card to  you

[BenCrew]

On 12/18/2024 at 12:24 PM, leonard beaven said:

Yes you can have a UK bank account,BUT,they will not send documents or replacement cards to Thailand,for security reasons.

 

I have just questioned the Halifax on X about sending my replacement debit card to Thailand, they replied:

 

Yes, if that is the address we hold for you, then that is where your replacement card would be posted to. I hope this helps! 

[PattayaParent]

16 hours ago, Gaccha said:

I'm intrigued by its practical functionality. 

 

Obviously it's in Pound Sterling. But as an offshore account is it linked to the free ATM usage network (the name of which escapes me) of the UK or are you charged on your bank card withdrawals (assuming you have one)?

 

Did onshore institutions allow payments to be made to it? For example, law firms sending funds or government institutions sending payments etc.

 

Is it on the Swift network or are movements treated as international from and to the UK? Are transfers to and from the UK free of charge?

 

What other differences?

 

Not just GBP, I also have a USD account with them and other currencies are available.

 

Can make payments from anywhere into it and to anywhere out from it.

 

It's on SWIFT, CHAPS and the other one, can't remember the name.

 

Transfers to and from UK accounts free, but overseas payment outwards are charged.

 

Free ATM in UK, and also when paying by card PIN or contactless.

 

Other difference? No problem for non-UK residents or any other Nationality to open an account, although not sure about USA as they seem to have problems everywhere 'cos of FACTA.

 

 

[actonion]

18 hours ago, BenCrew said:

 

I have just questioned the Halifax on X about sending my replacement debit card to Thailand, they replied:

 

Yes, if that is the address we hold for you, then that is where your replacement card would be posted to. I hope this helps! 

Nationwide will

[rickudon]

I maintain 3 UK bank accounts with monthly transactions on all of them. I have 3 pensions paid into my UK bank accounts, pay income tax and maintain a UK address. So far not had any issues (apart from new cards going only to the UK address). I have my foreign SIM registered with them all.

 

WISE not an option, have had problems with them.

 

Not expecting any change in the near future.

[bradiston]

2 hours ago, rickudon said:

I maintain 3 UK bank accounts with monthly transactions on all of them. I have 3 pensions paid into my UK bank accounts, pay income tax and maintain a UK address. So far not had any issues (apart from new cards going only to the UK address). I have my foreign SIM registered with them all.

 

WISE not an option, have had problems with them.

 

Not expecting any change in the near future.

DWP pays into Wise, no problem. They know I'm not UK tax resident.

[MangoKorat]

Horses mouth on this one.  I went into Santander yesterday and asked the question.  The official line is that provided you obtain a TIN from the country in which you are now resident, you can keep your Santander account and use it through online banking from abroad.  You cannot open a new account though.

 

Without reading the entire thread, I believe others may have given the same answer - in which case, this is confirmation.

[Negita43]

About 3 months ago I read an article from Which that listed some banks that would not force closure for UK nationals abroad - I recall First Direct was on it but I can't remember any other neither do I have the link but maybe Google Which+UK (overseas?) banking

[lamyai3]

7 hours ago, Negita43 said:

About 3 months ago I read an article from Which that listed some banks that would not force closure for UK nationals abroad - I recall First Direct was on it but I can't remember any other neither do I have the link but maybe Google Which+UK (overseas?) banking

 

Just read it as well. According to this Nationwide should allow existing accounts to remain open. 

 

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/which-banks-allow-you-to-keep-your-account-as-an-expat-aIiEs1i49WTf

[lamyai3]

On 12/17/2024 at 8:25 PM, MrMuddle said:

Apparently Nationwide are now asking account holders to confirm their personal details, such as home address, phone number etc.

 

Any experience from people who have completed this questionnaire? If informing Nationwide about non residence I'm wondering what they do next. 

[bradiston]

3 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

 

Just read it as well. According to this Nationwide should allow existing accounts to remain open. 

 

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/which-banks-allow-you-to-keep-your-account-as-an-expat-aIiEs1i49WTf

They didn't have a problem when I rang them explaining I had left the UK on a permanent basis but needed online access to my NW account. All good. I used my daughter's London address for mail, which also was not a problem.

[Chivas]

I would work on the basis of "keeping quiet" as regards any existing accounts but thats just me

New debit cards one of my children could easily forward

 

I only actively use Royal Bank of Scotland and Chase but maintain a HSBC and Co Op accounts by churning through £500 a year or so

 

Never close an existing account you never know when you might need it

 

Nor would I have a state pension paid directly into a Thai account. (for a different reason lol)....always into UK account and transfer yourself

[bradiston]

2 hours ago, Chivas said:

I would work on the basis of "keeping quiet" as regards any existing accounts but thats just me

New debit cards one of my children could easily forward

 

I only actively use Royal Bank of Scotland and Chase but maintain a HSBC and Co Op accounts by churning through £500 a year or so

 

Never close an existing account you never know when you might need it

 

Nor would I have a state pension paid directly into a Thai account. (for a different reason lol)....always into UK account and transfer yourself

The DWP will pay a UK pension into a Wise account, no problem. So does Royal Mail.

[Chivas]

47 minutes ago, bradiston said:

The DWP will pay a UK pension into a Wise account, no problem. So does Royal Mail.

 

Yes agreed thats fine. What I dont want is state pension being paid directly into a Thai account as quite rightly that gets noticed

 

I will never be an out and out expat but I dont want the DWP to suddenly think I'm living in Thailand outright and freezing the payment rate when I clearly wont be

[bradiston]

11 hours ago, Chivas said:

 

Yes agreed thats fine. What I dont want is state pension being paid directly into a Thai account as quite rightly that gets noticed

 

I will never be an out and out expat but I dont want the DWP to suddenly think I'm living in Thailand outright and freezing the payment rate when I clearly wont be

Yes, I made the "mistake" of letting on I was living out here. They were on to me in a flash. In the end no harm done as I found a legitimate and painless way of unfreezing it.