One of the first things an international joiner needs to do on arrival in the UK is to open a bank account – they will need this to ensure they receive their first pay cheque and can operate effectively within what is fast-becoming an almost cashless economy.

 

Traditional banks often struggle with international candidates if they don’t have proof of address such as utility bills, and therefore opening an account on the high-street can result in a lot of hassle and frustration (though a few banks are getting better at this!)

 

The more attractive, and successful way for international nurses to open a bank account is usually with one of the digital banks such as Revolut, Monzo or Starling. In our experience, Revolut is usually the account that international joiners have the least trouble with. The banking app Icici is also increasing in popularity. There are a number of pre-paid debit card providers that claim to be “perfect” for new overseas joiners but in our experience these cards are usually chargeable and don’t justify the investment.

 

A pre-requisite to opening a bank account in the UK is usually a UK phone number. Increasingly UKVI visa centres are providing these sim cards at visa appointments which is a huge step in the right direction and can really streamline the bank account opening process. If the candidate does not receive a sim card at visa application stage, then gifting them a sim card on arrival or encouraging them to pick up a sim card at the airport is usually the next best step.

 

Depending on when payday falls in relation to the candidates’ arrival date in the UK, some employers will opt to provide candidates with a cash advance on their salary which is often very appreciated by migrants who have chosen to leave many of their cash reserves at home to support their families. However, so that these payments remain auditable, candidates usually must have a bank account for these payments to be paid into.

 

My Healthcare Recruit supports UK healthcare employers in the public, private, and care sector to find international nurses who are a great fit for their organization, by using market-leading video interviewing tools to connect them to our database of qualified candidates. Our innovative approach makes international candidates easier to find and more cost-effective to source than ever before. Find out more at www.myhealthcarerecruit.com.