How to get a bank card in the UK
Download Revolut → take a photo of your passport → get a card in 5 minutes. Pay with your phone right away. No proof of address, no queues. Only have ARC? → Suits Me.
Comparison of banks for migrants in the UK
| Bank | Opening time | Document | Accepts ARC? | Card | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | 5 min | Passport | No | Virtual card right away, physical 3–5 days | Multi‑currency, currency exchange |
| Monzo | 10 min | Passport / eVisa | No | Physical card 2–3 days | Popular, easy app |
| Suits Me | 10 min | Passport / ARC / Visa letter | ✅ Yes | Physical card 5–7 days | For people banks refuse |
| Starling | 10 min | Passport / eVisa | No | Physical card 3–5 days | Business account also |
| Chase UK | 10 min | Passport + right to live in UK | No | Physical card 3–5 days | 1% cashback for 12 months |
Revolut — multi‑currency account in 5 minutes
Revolut
Up to £60 bonusMulti‑currency account — perfect if you receive or send money in different currencies. Virtual card appears instantly. Opening without proof of address for the basic account.
- Open in 5 minutes with a passport
- Virtual card — right after registration
- Multi‑currency: 30+ currencies at real exchange rate
- Free exchange up to £1,000/month
- Apple Pay / Google Pay from the first minute
- No proof of address needed for Standard plan
- FSCS protection up to £120,000 (UK banking licence)
Monzo — the most popular digital bank in the UK
Monzo
8+ million customers. The bright orange card has become a symbol of digital banking in the UK. Instant notifications, easy spending categories, free transfers.
- Open through the app in 10 minutes
- They accept a passport (not only eVisa)
- Instant push notifications about spending
- Free debit card
- Salary Sort — automatic distribution of your salary
- Free transfers to other Monzo users
- FSCS protection up to £120,000
Suits Me — the only bank that accepts ARC
Suits Me
Accepts ARCSpecially for people that normal banks refuse. Accepts ARC (Application Registration Card), Visa letters, any documents. Does not check credit history. Open in 10 minutes.
- Accepts ARC (asylum seeker card)
- Accepts Visa letters, eVisa, passport
- No credit history check
- Debit Mastercard
- Cashback with partners (up to 15%)
- Mobile app
- Good for receiving salary and Universal Credit
Important for asylum seekers: If you have ARC (Application Registration Card) — Suits Me is one of the few providers that will open an account for you. Monzo and Revolut require a passport, which not all asylum seekers have with them. Suits Me also accepts Visa letters from the Home Office.
Starling Bank — personal + business
Starling
Full digital bank with the option to open a business account. Free international transfers through integration with Wise. Great for self‑employed people.
- Personal + business account in one app
- Free international transfers (through Wise)
- No monthly fee
- Rounds Up — automatic savings
- Spaces — separate savings pots for goals
- FSCS protection up to £120,000
Chase UK — 1% cashback on everything
Chase UK
Cashback1% cashback on purchases in the first 12 months. High interest on savings for new customers. From J.P. Morgan — the biggest bank in the world.
- 1% cashback on groceries, transport, fuel (cap £15/month, 12 months)
- 4.5% on savings for new customers (2.25% standard)
- No monthly fee
- No minimum balance
- FSCS protection up to £120,000
- Requires right to live in the UK
Best bank for your situation
| Situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Only have ARC (asylum seeker) | Suits Me | The only one that accepts ARC |
| No proof of address | Revolut | Standard plan without proof of address |
| Send money home | Revolut or Starling | Revolut — built‑in exchange. Starling — integration with Wise |
| Maximum savings | Chase | 1% cashback + 4.1% on savings |
| Self‑employed / business | Starling | Free business account |
| First bank in the UK | Monzo | The simplest and most popular |
| Seasonal worker | Revolut + Suits Me | Revolut for transfers, Suits Me if you don't have a passport |
What documents you need to open an account
| Document | Monzo | Revolut | Suits Me | Starling | Chase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International passport | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| eVisa | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ARC (asylum seeker) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Visa letter (Home Office) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Proof of address | Delivery address | Not needed | Not needed | Delivery address | Yes |
| Credit check | No | No | No | No | No |
How to open an account with Monzo — step by step
- Download the app — Monzo is available in App Store and Google Play. Free.
- Register — email, UK phone number, full name as in your passport.
- Verification — take a photo of your passport or eVisa + a short video selfie. Takes 2 minutes.
- Enter an address — any address in the UK where you can receive the card. You can use a friend's address, a hostel, or a charity organisation.
- Get your card — delivery in 2–3 working days. Activate the card in the app.
- Top up your account — by bank transfer, cash (at PayPoint), or transfer from another Monzo user.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an account without an eVisa?
Yes. Monzo and Revolut accept an international passport. Suits Me accepts ARC and Visa letters from the Home Office. Chase requires proof of the right to live in the UK.
Can I open an account without an address?
Revolut does not require proof of address for the Standard plan. Monzo accepts any address for card delivery — you can use a friend's address or a support organisation. Suits Me also does not require formal proof of address.
Which bank can I open with ARC (Application Registration Card)?
Suits Me is the only bank provider that officially accepts ARC. Standard banks (Monzo, Revolut, Starling) require a passport, which not all asylum seekers have with them.
Is it safe to keep money in a digital bank?
Monzo, Starling and Chase are protected by the FSCS scheme — your money is insured up to £120,000. Revolut has a UK banking licence and is also in FSCS. Suits Me is not a bank but an e‑money provider; your money is protected and kept separately (safeguarded).
Can I receive my salary on Monzo/Revolut?
Yes. All the banks listed provide full UK sort code and account number. Employers transfer your salary as they would to a normal bank account.
Can I open several accounts?
Yes. Many migrants open Monzo (main) + Revolut (for currency exchange and transfers) + Chase (for cashback). This is normal and legal.
How much does it cost to keep an account?
All the banks listed are free for the basic plan. No monthly fee, no minimum balance, no fee for the card.