Measures requiring banks to check on the immigration status of existing account holders come into force today.

Section 40G of the Immigration Act 2014, as amended by the Immigration Act 2016, sets out a duty on banks and building societies to close an account where instructed to do so by the Secretary of State. The duty is to close the relevant account “as soon as reasonably practicable”.

The bank or building society can delay for a reasonable period (but not indefinitely) closing the relevant account if either:

1. the account is overdrawn, or
2. where the account is operated by or for the disqualified person and one or more bodies or other persons, the bank or building society considers that closing the account would significantly adversely affect the interests of any of those other bodies or persons.

If you have been affected by this issue or any other problem as a result of your immigration status in the UK please feel free to contact us on 020 8503 7228 for further advice.