Bank Account checks restarting March 23

Info cut and pasted from the excellent Expert Advice Briefing from CAB – you can sign up for these email updates here. 

For context please see previous posts on Bank Accounts for migrants eg the Bank training from LASSN or this from Chapeltown CA on opening a Bank Account. 

Immigration checks on current accounts
Guidance to banks was issued on 10 March 2023, which we are taking as showing that checks have re- started. These will be conducted on existing bank accounts as well as new ones, and banks can initiate a search for a match. 

Dealing purely with the account closure is not regulated immigration advice, so advisers do not need to have any level of OISC registration.

You can see the guidance for banks and building societies on carrying out immigration checks on current account holders on GOV.UK. 

You can also see leaflets for those whose accounts have been closed, or have been refused an account on GOV.UK.