AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
In the UK, pay-as-you-go SIMs need no credit check because you pay before you use them. Monthly SIM-only contracts usually still involve a credit check, but Equifax says acceptance is more likely than for a handset contract because the term is shorter and the payment lower. If you are new, with no UK history, or have a CCJ, start with pay-as-you-go or a short SIM-only plan and use a handset you already own.
A UK number is one of the first things a Nigerian newcomer needs: for bank verification, job offers, GP registration and family WhatsApp. Being refused a phone contract in your first month is common and says nothing about your character. It usually means the network's checks found little or nothing about you.
Three ways to get a UK line
| Option | Credit check? | What you commit to |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go SIM | No (you pay in advance) | Nothing beyond the top-ups you buy |
| SIM-only monthly plan | Usually yes, but easier to pass | A monthly bill for the contract term |
| Handset contract | Yes, and stricter for pricier phones | Phone cost spread over the term, plus airtime |
Equifax describes pay-as-you-go as the no-check route: you pay in advance and top up. For SIM-only monthly plans it says a credit check still applies, but you may be more likely to be accepted because contracts are shorter and payments lower than a full phone contract. Check the network's own terms for its current contract lengths and prices.
Why newcomers get refused
Equifax lists the common reasons an application is refused or accepted only with a condition such as a deposit:
- missed or defaulted payments
- a county court judgment (six years on file unless paid within 30 days), an IVA or a bankruptcy order
- not being on the electoral register, or not at one address long enough
- having no bank account, debit card or credit card
For most new arrivals the problem is the last two: a blank file, not a bad one. Equifax's moving-to-the-UK guidance says your Nigerian credit history does not transfer, so you start from zero. You may not be told why you were refused. If a past debt is the reason, see how a CCJ affects your credit.
No-credit-check handset offers: be careful
Some retailers sell phones without a credit check, but Equifax says these are usually cheaper handsets. It warns that a smartphone, especially a pricier one, offered with no credit check should be approached with caution because it could be a scam. A safer pattern is to keep the phone you brought from Nigeria (if it is unlocked and works on UK networks) or buy a handset outright, and pair it with a SIM-only or pay-as-you-go plan. More on contracts in getting a phone contract with no UK credit history.
Steps for your first UK line
- Check that your current phone is unlocked and supports UK networks.
- Start with a pay-as-you-go SIM so you have a number for bank and job verification.
- Open a UK bank account and register on the electoral roll if you are eligible.
- Wait a few months, then try a short SIM-only monthly plan; Equifax advises against applying repeatedly, because each application shows as a search.
- Pay every bill on time; regular on-time payments help build a file, as Experian explains.
Worked example (illustrative figures)
Example: Tunde keeps his own unlocked phone and buys a pay-as-you-go bundle for £10 a month. After four months he applies for a SIM-only plan at £12 a month on a 12-month term. If accepted, his commitment is 12 × £12 = £144 over the year, far less than a handset contract, which is part of why such plans are easier to pass. Prices here are illustrative; check the network's own page.
If you were accepted with a condition
Equifax notes that an application can be accepted with a condition, such as paying a deposit. That is not a refusal. If the deposit is affordable and the plan suits you, it can be a sensible first step, because a monthly plan paid on time adds positive history to your file. Ask the network in writing when and how the deposit is returned, and keep that note with your contract. If the deposit is more than you can spare, stay on pay-as-you-go for a few more months and apply again later, rather than applying to several networks in one week.
Pay-as-you-go habits that help
- Register the SIM in your own name with your UK address, so the number is clearly yours for bank and job checks.
- Check whether your bundle rolls over or expires, and set a reminder before it runs out.
- Keep the same number when you later move to a monthly plan; ask the new provider how to bring it across.
- Make sure your UK bank account, GP and employer all have the number you plan to keep.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Personal Account can be opened from the UK and holds pounds and naira with local details for each (multicurrency), so you can pay a UK phone bill and top up family airtime in Nigeria from one place. Outside Nigeria, Pryme's activities are carried out through regulated partners.
Questions people ask
Can I get a SIM-only deal with no credit check in the UK?
Pay-as-you-go needs no credit check. Monthly SIM-only plans usually still check, though Equifax says they are easier to pass than handset contracts.
Why was I refused a phone contract as a new arrival?
Often a blank file: Equifax lists no electoral roll entry and no UK bank account or card among the reasons. Your Nigerian history does not transfer.
Is a no-credit-check iPhone deal safe?
Equifax warns that a smartphone with no credit check could be a scam. Buying the handset outright and using SIM-only is safer.
Does a phone contract help my credit score?
Paying any credit agreement on time helps build a file. Avoid repeated applications, which each show as a search.
Sources
- Equifax UK: Getting a mobile phone contract with bad credit (updated 23 Mar 2022) · accessed Oct 2026
- Equifax UK: Your credit score when you move to the UK (updated 1 Apr 2022) · accessed Oct 2026
- Experian: How to improve your credit score · 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.