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The short answer
A Nigerian on a UK work visa can usually open a current account with a valid passport, a share code from their eVisa to prove immigration status, and a UK address that can be verified. BRPs have been replaced by eVisas, and Home Office guidance tells banks that an eVisa proves both identity and status. If you have no address documents yet, app-based banks accept a wider range of letters, and the nine largest banks must offer a fee-free basic account to anyone legally resident who meets the rules.
Your first payslip will need somewhere to land, and many landlords want a UK account for rent. The good news is that a work visa is exactly the kind of status UK banks are set up to handle. Where newcomers get stuck is not the visa but the address: banks want proof that you live where you say you do, and in your first weeks you may have nothing with your name and that address on it.
What banks ask for
| Requirement | What usually satisfies it | Notes for new arrivals |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Valid passport | Your Nigerian passport is the main document. Monzo's help page, for example, accepts passports, driving licences and national ID cards |
| Immigration status | eVisa share code with your date of birth | BRPs have been replaced; see below |
| UK address | Utility bill, tenancy agreement, council tax bill, letter from HMRC, DWP or NHS, or another UK bank statement | Rules on dates vary; Monzo asks for most documents dated within the last 3 months |
| Residence | Living in the UK | Monzo, for example, requires you to live in the UK full time with the right to reside |
Your eVisa replaces the BRP
GOV.UK's eVisa page says eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents and that you access yours through a free UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. From there you can get a share code, which lasts 90 days and can be used as many times as needed before it expires. The Home Office's leaflet for financial providers, updated in October 2025, tells banks that an eVisa can be used to prove both identity and immigration status, and that a bank can check it with your share code and date of birth using the 'check someone's immigration status' service.
If you still hold an expired BRP, GOV.UK says it can be used to sign in to your UKVI account for 24 months after its printed expiry date or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first. It is not a substitute for the eVisa itself. Our separate guide covers opening an account with an eVisa share code step by step.
No address documents yet
This is the usual stumbling block. Options that work for many new arrivals:
- Tenancy agreement. A signed, current UK tenancy agreement is accepted by several app banks, including Monzo.
- Official letters. Letters from HMRC, the DWP or the NHS dated within the last 3 months appear on Monzo's accepted list. A letter confirming your National Insurance number or GP registration may help, if it shows your name and address.
- Employer support. Some employers, particularly NHS trusts and large care providers, have arrangements with banks for new staff. Ask HR what they offer.
- A basic bank account. The Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 say people with no fixed address are legally resident for basic-account purposes. See who can get a basic bank account.
There is more on this in opening an account without proof of address.
Steps for your first week
- Set up or sign in to your UKVI account and check your eVisa shows the right name, date of birth and conditions. GOV.UK says UKVI aims to fix most reported errors within 5 working days.
- Generate a share code and note its expiry date.
- Collect any letter that shows your name and UK address: tenancy agreement, employer letter, GP or HMRC letter.
- Apply to an app bank that accepts the documents you have, or to a high-street bank in branch with your passport, share code and address evidence.
- Once you have one UK account, its statements become proof of address for a second, more established account later.
Before you travel: what you can do from Nigeria
Most UK banks need you to be living in the UK before they open a standard current account, so the account itself usually waits until you land. You can still prepare. Make sure the name on your passport matches your visa application exactly, keep your visa decision email and application number (GOV.UK says a passport plus the GWF or UAN number is one way to create a UKVI account), and ask your employer or first landlord whether they will issue a letter addressed to you at the UK address. If you plan to keep a naira account at home, check your Nigerian bank's diaspora requirements before you leave, while you can still visit a branch.
Things that can slow you down
- Applying to several banks in a day. Each application may involve checks, and a run of refusals helps no one.
- A name that differs between passport and eVisa. Fix the eVisa first through your UKVI account.
- An address you will leave in a month. Use the address where you will be longest if you can.
Your account also matters for credit. The UK system starts you from zero; see building a UK credit score from scratch.
Where Pryme fits
A UK current account is the right home for your salary and bills. For the Nigeria side of your life, a Pryme Personal Account can be opened from any country and holds pounds, naira, dollars and euros with local details for each, so family can pay in naira and you can convert with Swap when you choose. Outside Nigeria, Pryme's activities are carried out through regulated partners, and Pryme is not a bank. See how the multicurrency account works.
Questions people ask
Can I open a UK bank account with my Nigerian passport?
Yes, a valid passport is the main identity document banks accept. You will usually also need to prove your immigration status with an eVisa share code and prove your UK address.
Do I need a BRP to open a bank account in the UK?
No. BRPs have been replaced by eVisas. Home Office guidance tells banks an eVisa proves identity and immigration status, checked with your share code and date of birth.
Which UK bank is easiest for new arrivals on a work visa?
It depends on the documents you hold. App banks often accept a tenancy agreement or an official letter as proof of address. If you are refused a standard account, the nine largest banks must consider you for a basic account.
Can my employer help me open a bank account?
Some employers have arrangements with banks for new staff or can provide a letter. Ask your HR team before you arrive.
Sources
- GOV.UK: eVisas, access and use your online immigration status · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK / UKVI: Residence documents, information for financial providers (Oct 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Biometric residence permits (updated 18 Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Monzo Help: How to open a Monzo Personal Account · accessed Oct 2026
- legislation.gov.uk: Payment Accounts Regulations 2015, regulation 23 · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.