Bank account for Asylum Seekers & Refugees
Suits Me offer something different.
Opening a bank account as an asylum seeker or refugee in the UK can feel impossible.
Most high street banks ask for strict proof of address, multiple forms of photo ID, and expect you to visit a branch in person.
That’s where Suits Me is different.
✅ Open your account online in minutes
✅ Only an ARC card and selfie needed*
✅ No credit checks
✅ Full account features – debit card, payments, app, cashback and rewards
*subject to AML and regulatory requirements
Suits Me offer something different.
Opening a bank account as an asylum seeker or refugee in the UK can feel impossible.
Most high street banks ask for strict proof of address, multiple forms of photo ID, and expect you to visit a branch in person.
That’s where Suits Me is different.
✅ Open your account online in minutes
✅ Only an ARC card and selfie needed*
✅ No credit checks
✅ Full account features – debit card, payments, app, cashback and rewards
*subject to AML and regulatory requirements
Open your accountJoin thousands of people like you, who wanted an account easily, quickly and all online
They chose Suits Me, offering personal accounts to suit you.
Bank accounts for asylum seekers in the UK are difficult to get with many banks. Having a bank account whatever your situation or status is a basic human right.
Why opening a bank account is difficult for asylum seekers
Traditional banks often turn people away because they don’t have:
- UK proof of address in their own name
- Photo ID such as a passport or driving licence
- A long financial history or credit record
- The ability to attend in-branch appointments
This leaves many asylum seekers and refugees without access to safe money storage, digital payments, or the ability to receive wages and benefits.
How Suits Me helps
We’re not a mainstream bank – and that’s a good thing.
We’ve designed our accounts to work for people who are new to the UK and don’t fit the usual banking requirements.
With Suits Me you get:
- Easy online application – no branch visits needed
- Inclusive eligibility – ARC card and selfie are enough
- Multilingual support – our award-winning UK-based team speak over 19 languages
- Quick access – sort code and account number provided within minutes
- Extra benefits – cashback, retail discounts, and rewards as standard
Join the thousands of people changing their lives
Nesha’s story
Eddie’s story
Peter’s story
Awards
British Bank Awards
Best Current Account Provider 2022 Finalist
SME News
Most Innovative Banking Service 2023
British Bank Awards
Best Newcomer 2020 Highly Commended
Choose the right account for you
Essential
Best for occasional use
Pay as you go /month
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Essential is our pay as you go card. An instant account to give you flexibility and control when you need a separate account. Our customers who need an account with all the partner benefits and discounts to use now and again rather than as a main account choose Essential.
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Essential is our pay as you go card. An instant account to give you flexibility and control when you need a separate account. Our customers who need an account with all the partner benefits and discounts to use now and again rather than as a main account choose Essential.
Premium
Best for basic usage
£4.97 /month
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Our everyday card is packed with extras. This account will let you do everything you need to manage your money whilst giving you cashback and discounts. Customers who need a basic and functional main account for wages and benefits choose Premium.
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Our everyday card is packed with extras. This account will let you do everything you need to manage your money whilst giving you cashback and discounts. Customers who need a basic and functional main account for wages and benefits choose Premium.
Premium Plus
Best for main account
£9.97 /month
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Our Premium Plus account is loaded with value plus. You receive our VIP queue jump service. This account is a favourite with our customers with its inclusive package. This account is great for those who want an alternative to a high street bank account.
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Our Premium Plus account is loaded with value plus. You receive our VIP queue jump service. This account is a favourite with our customers with its inclusive package. This account is great for those who want an alternative to a high street bank account.
Why open an account with Suits Me?
| Open an account in minutes online No journeys to a branch or centre. Open an account online, in minutes, in your own language. |
Safe and secure Your account safety, money and personal data is our highest priority. With advanced technology, we ensure your identity, funds and personal information is safeguarded at all times. |
Asylum seekers welcome With no credit checks, your status doesn’t affect our approval to open your account. |
| Send payments Receive and send money in the UK and abroad easily. Our Faster Payments are seriously fast and can all be done self serve via our app. |
Exclusive discounts with top brands Access our exclusive customer discounts with top brands when you have an account with Suits Me. We have different partners every week for you to enjoy great money off deals. Our discount partners include Just Eat, Lebara, FastPass, Lotto Social, Fiit and many more. |
Unlimited cashback Save money when you use your Suits Me card in our partner retail stores or when you shop online. You’ll get cashback back into your Suits Me account. Some of our cashback partners include Argos, Asda, B&Q, Goldsmiths, Halfords, Footlocker, New Look, Sainsbury’s and more. |
| No minimum balances There are no minimum deposits or balances required to use an Suits Me account and enjoy all the benefits. |
Standing Orders and Direct Debits You can pay Direct Debits and set up Standing Orders for rent or bills from your account |
Cash top ups You can add cash top up at any PayPoint store. |
| ATM withdrawals You can use your card to withdraw cash at any ATM machine worldwide. |
Easy to use Mobile App Our mobile app allows you to manage your finances on the go, with instant notifications on spending and deposits to your account. |
Free contactless debit card Sent via first class post, many of our customers receive this the next day. Your contactless debit card allows you to use it anywhere you go. Just search for the contactless symbol. |
| International transfers With our preferred partner, Remitly, you can easily make international payments and receive international transfers into your Suits Me account. |
Wages and benefits account Provide your sort code and account number to your employer or benefits provider to have funds transferred directly into your Suits Me account. |
Multilingual customer care Our multilingual customer care team ensure we can communicate in a mutual language. We have found this has put many of our customers at ease when English isn’t their first language. We support customers from the following nationalities and many more: Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudanese, Namibian, and Syrian |
How to open an account online?
If you don’t have the documents that normal banks ask for, opening an account can be very hard.
Suits Me is not a bank, but we provide accounts that work just like one. Our accounts are easy to open online and include all the features you need to manage your money.
Who can apply?
- You must be 18 or older
- You must live in the UK
- All applications are checked to meet UK money-safety rules (AML regulations)
How to open your account:
- Click Apply Now
- Fill in the short online form
- Upload your ARC card (or other accepted ID) and a selfie
- Get your account details by email in minutes
- Receive your free debit card in the post
1. Hit the button
2. Fill out the form
3. Download the App
FAQs
Can an asylum seeker open a bank account?
Bank accounts for asylum seekers in the UK are possible. The short answer is yes but it can be difficult and inconvenient with several banks. The main difficulties are:
- Cost to travel to a branch
• Unable to open a bank account online
• Not having enough or the correct documentation
• Language barrier in communicating with bank staff
As an asylum seeker who has fled their home country, we know you often arrive in the UK wanting to rebuild your life. Opening a bank account or an account to accept and make payments electronically, is not only a practical necessity but also a critical part of settling into the UK. A bank account offers asylum seekers lots of advantages:
- Safety and security: a bank account provides a secure place to store money earned or received, reducing the risk of loss or theft in cash.
- Financial inclusion: having a bank account allows asylum seekers to access financial services, such as benefits payments or funds from their home country. Furthermore, being able to make payments online.
- Budgeting and planning: a bank account enables better financial planning, budgeting, and tracking of expenses, which are vital skills for building a stable future.
- Establishing identity: to open a bank account, asylum seekers typically need to provide identification documents, which can contribute to their process of establishing a legal presence and identity in the UK.
Suits Me offers something different to a high street bank. We will give you an account when high street banks won’t*, online and in minutes.
What ID is accepted?
We accept:
- ARC Card (for asylum seekers)
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Birth Certificate
- EU National ID Card
For asylum seekers, your ARC card and selfie are enough.
Why should asylum seekers choose Suits Me?
Suits Me have opened accounts for hundreds of people in the UK with Asylum Seeker status. We don’t ask for 3 months proof of address, we don’t conduct credit checks, all you need is an ARC card and a smart phone.
We make it really easy to apply online in 3 minutes and reward all of our customers as standard.
Our accounts are designed to suit you. It’s all in the name. Easy to apply, easy to use and so many extras.
How quickly can I open an account?
Most accounts are approved within minutes. You’ll receive your account number and sort code by email, and your free contactless debit card will usually arrive the next working day.
Why should asylum seekers choose Suits Me over a traditional bank?
- No proof of address required*
- No credit checks
- Online application in your own language
- Extra rewards and discounts included