UK LLP High Street bank accounts for non-residents?

[hdloader11]

I'm planning to incorporate a UK LLP in the coming months, and I want to have accounts in couple of real banks in addition to the usual smattering of EMIs. However I've heard that it is incredibly difficult to open a bank account if you aren't a UK resident.

I would be willing to travel to UK and visit banks in person to open my account. Do you guys think I would be able to get an account open?

 

[Sols]

Depends on who you are, what you do, and size of the business.

The harsh reality is that ,most likely, no UK bank will accept you.

But if you are a very attractive prospect, it's not unheard of for Barclays and Lloyds in particular to accept foreign-controlled local companies. LLPs are viewed unfavorably, though, so you're already at a bigger disadvantage.

 

[CaptK]

You could set yourself up with utility bills and a residential address you can get high street banks in UK.

 

[Marzio]

You could set yourself up with utility bills and a residential address

How can you have utillity bills and resident address if you aren't UK resident?

 

[CaptK]

You can get a tenancy agreement for a little flat and then the bills put in your name. The apartment is rented out on AirBNB so the bills are paid.

 

[Martin Everson]

In my experience UK hight street banks will want the majority of the management to be in UK. For a UK LLP there maybe no interest from high street banks towards non-resident partners.

However if you have a strong business case like customers and suppliers mainly in UK than you may have a slightly improved 0 to 1% chance.