Opening bank account with a fiance visa, and FLR(M) application queries

Hi,

I was wondering if it's possible for my fiance to open a UK bank account with her fiance visa, so she can transfer some of her money over here.  I know she can't use this account to earn money here until she has the FLR.

Also, some other queries/clarifications after looking at the UKBA site on FLR.

1. The list of documents to include with the FLR application isn't that explicit.  Are there any threads that say exactly what should be included.  It's basically the same docs as with the fiance visa application right?  Is there anything I can do now to make it easier in six months (like add my fiance to the council tax, utility bill etc.)?

2.  My current account is with First Direct (an internet only bank), and they don't normally send paper statements.  I did ask them for these for the fiance visa application, but the statements they sent looked like photocopies (not the glossy kind of statements you'd get from Lloyds TSB).  Didn't seem to be a problem for the fiance visa application though (although I did fax them to the consulate instead of take them physically).
Should I just switch accounts?  First Direct don't have physical branches where I can go and get the statements stamped.

3.  I often go overdrawn each month (though this didn't stop us getting the fiance visa), is it worth trying to be more disciplined for the next six months?  Is the FLR application more strict about money?

Many thanks everyone, I promise to give something back to this forum when my fiance and I are more experienced with this.

Iain
 

I just opened a bank account and I'm here under a fiancee visa. They wanted something addressed to me at the new (UK) address. They put down "homemaker" instead of "unemployed" and I have a balance in the US I can refresh the account from. I don't know how much is at the discretion of the bank manager, but my fiance has banked at that branch for years and knows her well. It wasn't exactly touch and go, but I got the impression I might have been turned down under other circumstances.

Anyway, I was able to get a simple account and a debit card (but no credit card). I imsgine it's easier once we're married and he automatically carries some liability for my debt. As it is, I feel like a bit of a non-person.

We did this when I was here as a student (over 3 years ago now), and the same info was required.  HOWEVER, my then DF went to the bank with me (his bank) to open the account.  He'd also banked there for years, and I think that may have made a difference...he was there to sort of introduce me.  I was issued with just what I wanted, a chequebook and a debit card...

Best of luck...some people (like we two who've responded) have very little trouble opening an account, for others, it seems to be a real pain!