I am planning on going to the UK and doing a working holiday next year, and was discussing it with a travel agent at STA yesterday. They offer a service through IEP that helps with organising a bank account tax file number etc as well as other extras (like access to free internet at a place in london). But charge $350 (the IEP quites $250 without add-on extras) for the privilege. Has anyone used this service, and if so-was it worth it? I know getting a bank account when you are there can be a hassle, and that is the one thing I want to organise before I go.

As far as I know all you need to get a Bank account is a address within the country.
Also they aren't really needed, you could use a check cashing place, or even just register with a international bank like HSBC.
Working Holiday Visa's are pretty easy to apply for, These companies that offer these types of packages just seem like cash grabs to me. A friend of mine used one to get a Working Holiday Visa to NZ, cost her about the same they want to charge you for the UK, mean-while I applied and did the whole process over the internet and phone and only had to pay the application fee.
Id say it isnt worth it, if you plan on being abroad for a long enough time, and working to justify that type of Visa, the add-ons like free internet and that shouldnt really matter, Id say try it yourself and if you have some trouble maybe back-step and go try through them.

Christoff is right, you can actually start looking into opening a bank account over there, from here.

Places like HSBC have an international account service. I think you can also do it through Thomas Cook.

Opening an account is probably the hardest thing you will have to do when you move, they're very strict on all sorts of things and that's what makes it so hard.

You can also get something similar with 1stContact. From what I can remember though, they charge less than IEP. You go to a meeting when you get there, fill out some paperwork and they pretty much organise you an account with First National (if it's still the same as when I went).

I lived in the UK for about 12mths and never had a national security number (tax file number) so I don't really know how important they are!

I think VISA's are also probably easy enough to do alone. I didn't need one so have never gone through the process but I imagine that with a bit of research and maybe speaking to others on here who have already done it, you could easily do it by yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by CatherineOz:
I am planning on going to the UK and doing a working holiday next year, and was discussing it with a travel agent at STA yesterday. They offer a service through IEP that helps with organising a bank account tax file number etc as well as other extras (like access to free internet at a place in london). But charge $350 (the IEP quites $250 without add-on extras) for the privilege. Has anyone used this service, and if so-was it worth it? I know getting a bank account when you are there can be a hassle, and that is the one thing I want to organise before I go.

Hi There,

I am also looking at going to the UK next year for a working holiday. I have been told by friends/family in the UK it is easy to set up a bank act there and that you can do that before you leave. Where abouts are you thinking of moving too - London??

I've had a friend recommend 1st contact, my main thing is wanting to organise an acocunt before I get there. Then I don't have the hassle of transferring money from an account at home to on OS one.
I looked into HSBC and there account that is aimed at people like me, locks you into a 12 month contract with them and they charge you a 6 pound subscription fee per month-which I don't like the sound of.
And from what I've heard you need an address and a bill with that address on it to get an account if you organise it once you are over there (without the help of something like 1st contact or IEP). I can probably use my cousins address, but if I end up getting the kind of work I'm looking at (live in work), I won't have utility bills etc in my name.

Explorer1123723
I'm not sure if I'll live in London yet-depends one what type of work I do. It didn't appeal to me when I was there last year. But on that same note I'm just planning on working for a year then going and travelling before heading home. So I don't want to lock myself into anything.

Hi Catherine,
I plan on starting a UK working holiday from about September 09 (get there in late July and finish Contiki about late Aug).. when are going? are you starting solo.. I will be.I have heard it is easy to open an account over there.. just not in Central London during a busy time like a lunch hour.. I also went to the IEP info night.. they are expensive for what you can do when you get there. -Nicki =)

hi everyone, i plan on doing the same thing moving to the uk in late09 i have heard the same that a bank acct is hard to get over there..have heard from friends visas are easy to obtain. im more worried about where im gunna stay when i first get there hehe .. as i know no one over there

Hi Jess.. I will be in exactly the same situation as you.. on my lonesome! are you starting with a contiki tour first? feel free to email me nicki_vg@hotmail.com

I'm Australian and currently living in the UK.

I was very worried about the whole bank account thing. However, I walked into my local Barcalys branch and asked them if I could open an account. No probs, just bring in your passport and something with your Australian address on it (eg driver's license).

The process was AMAZINGLY easy. In fact, it was less hassle than opening an account in Australia (I changed banks back home last year).

Now, this wasn't in London, it was up north near Liverpool so maybe it is harder down south. But it was so stress free it was quite a shock after everything I'd read about it being so difficult!!

Hello,

My name is David. I will also be doing a working holiday. I depart May 27, doing a contiki for 3 weeks at the start of june. My saving is going well so far. I should have 15k aus to take over.

I am just worried about the financial crisis going on. Hopefully there are still jobs! I will be looking at doing temp admin work.

Cheers,

I came over to the UK on a working holiday visa 2 years ago … and I'm still here (now on a work permit). Best decision I've ever made!!

I would definitely recommend "1st Contact" (even if you just use them for arranging a bank account). My bank account was fully operational within 5 days of my arrival.

Even with the UK in a recession, the UK job market for skilled workers is still "booming" … but unfortunately I cannot vouch for non-skilled or temporary workers.

quote:

Originally posted by CatherineOz:
I am planning on going to the UK and doing a working holiday next year, and was discussing it with a travel agent at STA yesterday. They offer a service through IEP that helps with organising a bank account tax file number etc as well as other extras (like access to free internet at a place in london). But charge $350 (the IEP quites $250 without add-on extras) for the privilege. Has anyone used this service, and if so-was it worth it? I know getting a bank account when you are there can be a hassle, and that is the one thing I want to organise before I go.

You will need a fixed adress to get a bank account. If you use this type of serive you can get a lot done much quiker, if you do it onw your own yuo migh stuggel wehn yhou start work as you need these things before you can start

hi guys
im another crazy aussie moving over to the uk during the recession...
luckly i have my boyfriends family to live with. never even thought about bank accounts and tax file number- man i love the contiki forums!!
any aussie's going to be in england mid aug 09 we should make plans to catch up and show the poms how to drink lol

Dont go through IEP. I used first contact 3 years ago when I did mine. And it was so easy. I got a bank account within less than a week of being in the UK, I got a calling card with like 5pounds on it to call home. and heaps of other stuff I cant remember how much it cost but I think it was only like $25 maybe $35. They also help out heaps with transfering money back to your home country. Check out the website anyway...google it
First Contact UK

Hey guys,
Liz is so right, it was extremely easy to open a bank account! I was so worked up about it, since everyone said that they were extremely strict, but they only needed my passport and my australian driving license. Got it all sorted in less than 30 minutes at the local Barclays branch. BTW there are no bank fees over here so no more searching for your banks atms, or trying to carry around huge amounts of cash to avoid constantly using your card!!
I'm here for the year, although not sure if i can go home that soon!! All you aussies moving over give me a buzz, would love to see people from home!