In this article, we’re going to share a list of address-proof documents that you can use when opening bank accounts abroad.
This article is one in a series of free articles focusing on international banking and related services for Non-Resident Indians (NRI).
So, if you’re looking for a more detailed (and actionable) look at NRI banking solutions, click here and access our free guide on NRI bank account opening right now.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- List of Address Proof Documents
- Requirements to Open a Bank Account
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
List of Address Proof Documents
Address proof documents that are commonly accepted include the following list: public utilities, monthly statements from financial institutions, government identification, and government letters or statements. Alternative address proof documents that certain banks may accept include insurance documents, property statements (e.g. mortgage agreements), and employment letters.
That said, if you are searching for a list of address-proof documents to help with opening international bank accounts, it’s important to note that every bank is different. So, it’s no surprise that different banks have different acceptance criteria for supporting documents.
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With this in mind, it’s usually best to focus on documents that are widely accepted. This includes documents from public utilities (e.g. water, gas, and telephone) or government-issued identification or statements (e.g. driver’s license or tax documents).
If you do not have any of the standard address-proof documents available to you, you can consider one of the alternative options listed above. However, not all banks will accept these options. So, you may need to do a bit more searching to find a bank that will both open accounts for non-residents and accept your available address-proof documents.
Of course, address-proof documents are only one in a long list of requirements to open a bank account. So, in the next section of the article, we’ll take a closer look at a few of the other requirements.
It’s important to keep in mind that some banks do require other forms of documents for certain account services, including cheque and demand drafts, international transactions, and other services. In terms of large international transactions, transferring money from India to the UK does have a limit. It’s important to confirm this limit before making the transfer.
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Requirements to Open a Bank Account
When opening a bank account, you will need to meet the requirements set out by each bank as well as the regulating authority. With this in mind, before applying to open an account, it’s important that you ask for a list of the specific requirements you will need to meet when opening an account. This one step can save you hours from applying for accounts that you cannot realistically access.
Proof of Address
As mentioned, proof of address is a critical requirement when opening bank accounts. In certain countries, you can open a bank account without local proof of address. However, most countries are making it more difficult for non-residents to open accounts. So, having local proof of address is becoming more important. Of course, there are legitimate ways to secure a local proof of address, which we detail in our Advanced Reports in GlobalBanks IQ (learn more below).
Photo Identification
Suitable photo identification is another strict requirement when opening international bank accounts. While this may seem obvious, when opening an international bank account, you will be required to provide an internationally accepted form of identification. In other words, while you may be able to submit a driver’s license or a resident card as a second piece of identification, you will need to provide a passport as one of the forms of identification when opening an account as a non-resident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are two of the most common questions that we receive from people asking which list of address proof documents are required for opening accounts. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Which Document Is Not a Valid Address Proof?
To determine which document is not a valid address proof, you need to know which bank you are considering applying to open accounts with. This is because the specific address proofs that are accepted by each bank are determined internally by their own onboarding processes and compliance teams. That said, there are a few general rules when it comes to address proof. This includes using documents from public authorities, financial institutions, and government agencies. Documents that do not come from one of these three sources are less frequently accepted.
What Documents Are Accepted as Address Proof for Aadhar?
In addition to the proof of address documents that are accepted when opening a bank account, there are additional documents that you might be able to use when applying for your Aadhar card. While the same documents are accepted, such as public utilities, financial institutions, and government agencies, you can also elect to use many other address proofs, ranging from employment letters, educational letters, quasi-government identification cards, and much more.
Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
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