Answereda year ago
Why is Halifax closing credit card accounts for UK expats living abroad?
For UK Expats. Today I received a message from Halifax bank informing me my credit card account will be closed within 65 days. This comes right out of the blue. Just a heads up for Halifax/Lloyds TSB/Royal Bank of Scotland customers that you might be getting a message in the near future...
***Update. Just called Halifax and have been told a review has flagged you are not a UK resident so do not qualify for a credit card. Shame they told me 4 years ago it was fine and have happily updated my address to a Thai one 3 times, used my Thai number for their app and sent new credit cards to my Thai address 🤣
***Update. Just called Halifax and have been told a review has flagged you are not a UK resident so do not qualify for a credit card. Shame they told me 4 years ago it was fine and have happily updated my address to a Thai one 3 times, used my Thai number for their app and sent new credit cards to my Thai address 🤣
Answer summary
A UK expat living in Thailand reported that Halifax Bank notified them that their credit card account would be closed due to changes in residency status. The expat had previously been informed that having a Thai address was acceptable. This issue has resonated with others in the community, with many comments discussing the increasing difficulty for non-residents to maintain bank accounts, as well as personal experiences with other banks regarding similar closures.
105 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Andrew ********
Santander will allow too. Good luck.
Andy **********
I've been told Halifax "may" put restrictions on account use, if living abroad, they must have decided to apply restrictions, are they allowing you to keep your accounts?? Get a revolut account, i use that for online booking etc, I like the digital disposable card feature, I don't even use credit cards anymore, just don't need them.
Terry **********
My credit card with Virgin money was cancelled in February for reason.
John *********
But OK to have a debit card?
I will still keep my property in the UK when i emigrate in December.
I will still keep my property in the UK when i emigrate in December.
Gordon *********
Santander did to
Christopher ***********
Thanks for your update Dave. Things have definitely changed. I was previously told a Thai address was OK but they wouldn’t send renewed/replacement cards to Thailand. However, although they intercepted and destroyed my renewed debit cards, my renewed credit cards ‘slipped the net’ (their words) at least twice, arriving in Thailand via ordinary mail.
Nick ************
I haven't read all the comments so might be repeating something already said.
Sounds like they are only closing your credit card down. Presumably you will continue to have a current account with the bank. My Halifax credit card is used for buying flights etc and it is useful to use it in order to pay with uk funds while in Thailand. I have just made plan B and git a Currensea card that you can use abroad. It is connected directly to my uk account and debits all payments from it. I have not had the opportunity to use it yet but it might be a solution to your issue.
I got the card in the UK so I am uncertain whether you can apply from Thailand and get it sent to you there.
Sounds like they are only closing your credit card down. Presumably you will continue to have a current account with the bank. My Halifax credit card is used for buying flights etc and it is useful to use it in order to pay with uk funds while in Thailand. I have just made plan B and git a Currensea card that you can use abroad. It is connected directly to my uk account and debits all payments from it. I have not had the opportunity to use it yet but it might be a solution to your issue.
I got the card in the UK so I am uncertain whether you can apply from Thailand and get it sent to you there.
Alek *********
For what a credit card????
Roberto ***********
Common reasons: Banks may unilaterally close an account or credit card in the presence of:
• Repeated missed payments or late payments
• Security issues, suspected fraud, or suspicious activity
• Changes in the customer’s financial situation
• Sometimes simply following their internal review of banking relationships, even if no details are given to the customer
• Repeated missed payments or late payments
• Security issues, suspected fraud, or suspicious activity
• Changes in the customer’s financial situation
• Sometimes simply following their internal review of banking relationships, even if no details are given to the customer
Dave *********
OP@Roberto **********
None apply to me personally as an account holder.
Michael *******
@Roberto **********
or change of residency….
O'nthe *****
I give a friend my ATM card, he withdraws cash and sends it to my Thai account via his Wise business account.
Don't use any UK cards in Thailand
Don't use any UK cards in Thailand
Christopher ***********
@O'nthe ****
I have a Halifax Clarity Credit Card. It had a £10,000 GBP credit limit. I liked that as it would have been useful in case of emergency hospital treatment. I was mindful about exclusive abroad use so only used it very occasionally, both in Thailand and in U.K. Due to lack of use Halifax reduced my credit limit to £500 GBP and now cannot be persuaded to increase it.
Paul *********
@Christopher **********
Can't use for a long haul flight now . Still ok for hotel bookings but that's a right giveawayDave *********
OP@Christopher **********
Crazy
James ********
Run it up. Walk away.
Dave *********
OP@James *******
I like the way you think 👍Andi ***********
Halifax allows limited bank accounts for non UK residents, not open to new expats though. I have been overseas with them for 25 years. No CC, ATM card only.
Dave *********
OP@Andi **********
I asked about banking before I moved here. They couldn't give me a straight answer on current account access. All I got was, it should be ok, I don't see why not, I think it'll be ok. The credit card I was told yes you can keep it as long as you update your address and provide a Thai number for the app.Paul *********
@Dave ********
I maintain a UK PAYG phone number top up for £10 yearly . Having said that my Halifax current a/c & c/c no longer use OTP's & just auto open my Halifax app where I authorise payments fromAndi ***********
@Dave ********
You have a current account they will keep open but close your CC account?
Chris **************
We had the same issue and appealed against it and they allowed us to keep the account (BOS). We demonstrated that we were using the account although we were resident abroad.
Chris **************
Ihave an email address is you want to pm me
Dave *********
OP@Chris *************
About to call them. Waited for the UK based call centre to come 'online'.
Peter ***************
Open an account in Isle of Man.
Dave *********
OP@Peter **************
That is an option, but aren't there deposit requirements?Peter ***************
@Dave ********
I opened an account with Lloyds IOM over 30 years ago and there hasn't been any minimum balance. Better to check requirements now as things change. HSBC require something like a £75,000 investment or a commitment that you pay your salary (over £100k pa) into the account. There are a few more banks offshore in IOM, Jersey, Guernsey that you can search for.
Henry *********
Why?
Andi ***********
@Henry ********
"Whilst we value the relationships we’ve built, we’ve made a strategic decision to focus our attention and resources mainly in the UK and to reduce the number of countries in which we operate. Among the considerations for that strategic decision are the varied legal and regulatory requirements that apply in each overseas jurisdiction." Existing non-UK residents accounts can be kept open with limited serviceHenry *********
@Andi **********
That's awful. Hope my UK bank doesn't do that.Andi ***********
@Henry ********
Yeah, it is awful, as opening new accounts is limited for non UK residents. Santander International, last month sent letters out saying they are closing accounts unless a deposit of 75k is made or pay 40 quid a month. I moved all my direct debits etc over to Halifax and will end my banking with Santander. Halifax has been very good and open about keeping my account open.Dave *********
OP@Andi **********
The thing is it's not like it costs banks much to keep overseas customers. Digital banking doesn't care where you are...Andi ***********
@Dave ********
Yep, the cost is similar with online banking.
Kevin **********
Barclay's did it to me a couple of years ago, it's to do with you living overseas and the AML act.
Phil ********
I had the same couple years ago , but the reason was because it was no longer being used
John ********
@Phil *******
Possibly true with all banks whichever country you are in apart from the likes of ISA accounts. I reckon best thing to do is transfer some funds from your UK account/s on a regular basis, say every month/3months using Wise or another transfer business. Just my thoughts.Christopher ***********
Previously, Halifax customer services told me I could have a Thai address for their correspondence but that they wouldn’t send renewed/replacement cards to Thailand. Would suggest you contact customer services asking the reason and if, at this stage, is there anything that can be done to prevent closure of your credit card account?
Michael *******
Clamping down on non residents holding bank accounts / credit cards sounds familiar….
John ********
@Michael ******
But try opening a bank account in Thailand, it's a nightmare. Lol😂. I used to have an account with SCB., which was closed by the bank because I'd moved back to the UK and lack of funds then in account. When I first opened the SCB account in Udon Thani back in around 1999, all I did was walk into a branch armed with my passport which had a visa exempt stamp in it and a savings account was opened in my name. Took all of twenty minutes. How times have changed for the worse for expats.
Ray ********
@John *******
Been there, done that.xSadly those days are long gone,,, Thanks to scammers and con artists.
The world is changing... But not necessarily for the better.😥🙏😀
John ********
@Ray *******
Decent people are treated the same as the scumbags and criminals unfortunately.Michael *******
All over the world John, when I retired my accounts in South Africa, Dubai and Hong Kong were all unceremoniously closed , due to non residency - HK where I had banked for 30 years at least had the decency to wait for me to fly there and tidy things up the rest sent me a Dear John letter and this was 7 years ago - Thailand were late to the party but as a resident here , I have no issues with SCB they are very helpful, unless you want a credit card….luckily my wife is Singaporean so we have a fall back for now at least.
Dave *********
OP@Michael ******
Seems that way...Michael *******
@Dave ********
I’m hanging in there but when I sell up next year I fear the worst WISE is a good fall back but not a bank account as such….
Roberto *********
Many accounts have the conditions that you are a resident
Dave *********
OP@Roberto ********
Which is why I kept this one as I was told it was ok to live and use abroad.Roberto *********
@Dave ********
Maybe ask the bank what the problem is?
Mark *****
How do Halifax know you living in Thailand ?
Elías ********
@Mark ****
they surely will know you're living abroad by seeing the transactions. I don't think they care whether is Spain, Thailand or America, but it's easy for them to determine you don't live in the country anymore.Dave *********
OP@Elías *******
It certainly is when you contact them and ask can I still keep my credit card when I go to live in Thailand and you are told yes. It certainly is when you contact them twice to update your address to another Thai address within 4 years...Chris ******
@Mark ****
sim card be a good start
Jonnie *******
@Mark ****
likely sending funds to his bank in thailand, I initially did this up until 3 years back when I started using Revolut , I get this on my Bank of scotland within the app for the last year, a pop up message telling me their records indicate I’m resident in Thailand is this correct, with a yes or no option, even as my address is still listed as a family member address in uk.As yet I haven’t responded to the pop up
Dave *********
OP@Jonnie ******
Good move (not to answer).Dave *********
OP@Mark ****
I guess my registered Thai address and phone number to use the app are a give away?Mark *****
Peter **********
Dave *********
OP@Peter *********
Can I claim you as a relative, otherwise it's not an option.Peter **********
@Dave ********
use relative .Dave *********
OP@Peter *********
Neither of which I have...Peter **********
@Dave ********
you need to keep a uk phone number and addressDave *********
OP@Mark ****
I closed my bank account with them when I moved here during COVID times as they couldn't confirm whether or not I would be able to use my bank account here. Oddly enough they said the credit card account was fine... It worked ok for 4 years. Until this letter. Guess I'm a bad customer as I pay off the account in full every month 🤣
Jon ********
@Mark ****
ya think maybe he used his card for a purchase in Thailand ? lol 😂Chris ******
@Jon *******
UK actuallyChristopher ***********
@Jon *******
Shocking and outrageous crime!Dave *********
OP@Kerry ********
On that topic, they twice blocked my account on 2 separate trips to Japan. Apparently their algorithms picked up fraudulent activity on my account, flagging me trying to pay hotel bills as fraud... I find this kind of weird. Both times I was paying hotel bills at Holiday Inn. I was paying using chip and pin. I was paying IHG with the card which is registered with IHG and which I use quite regularly. They also failed to notice that I'd paid for flights with Japanese Airlines and paid for trips with Klook over the same period which to me is a bit of a giveaway that I'm there on a trip 🤣However, 4 separate in person purchases in an Argos shop in the UK when I don't live there did not get flagged up... 🤷
Christopher ***********
@Kerry ********
Don’t know what you are referring to by ‘asked for a verification of address’. Dave hasn’t mentioned being asked to provide verification.
Kerry *********
@Christopher **********
not a crime, of course, but if the bank is actively trying to detect whether customers are really living in the UK then being asked for a verification of adress would not be surprising if your charges come primarily from a country other than the UK.Chris ******
@Mark ****
your phone computer is spying on you seriously I tried getting insurance for my motorbike gave my new address transaction would not go through contact bank next day gave them my new address but I hadn't changed my address with online banking and that stopped the transaction working sounds bonkers but your phone computer is basically spying on you even my registered Sia card details flagged up in a email warning me I must inform them of my new address
Richard ********
Chris ******
@Paul ********
if you were carrying 4 devices in UK the friggin police be thinking you up to something dodgy 🤣Paul *********
@Chris *****
I'm not as paranoid as I used to be , but still use 3 mobiles & another device with an auto connect VPN to different regions depending on what I'm up to . I don't have the same app across devices & only activate location for mapping on Thai device . It's a bit extreme carrying 4 devices around on a tripRichard ********
@Chris *****
You posted that you had not updated your internet banking address to be the same as your banking address.I don't quite understand why the bank hasn't unified that, but UK banks provide a pisspoor service at the best of times.
Chris ******
@Richard *******
so explain to me why my Sia provider randomly contacts me same day telling me I should inform of change of address I'm not paranoid anything getting searched for us being used against people cannot fart these days unless they know about itChris ******
@Richard *******
yeah but how would booking insurance online affect anything what if I was paying insurance or other service for someone else
Ken ********
@Chris *****
they even know your make , model etc of your phone too. And, don't forget, it listens to all your conversations when turned on, not sure about turned off.Ken ********
@Max ************
just mention something you'd like to buy Max, the next thing you know, its being advertised on yer smart phone, or do you have a Nokia
Max *************
@Ken *******
Many people thinks the way you do about being "listened to"? Really? Do you believe in the tooth fairy as well? Of course there are stuff they can detect, but listening to you, is a bit over the top.Ken ********
@Max ************
not confused at all Max. Im sure many people are aware of this.Max *************
@Ken *******
You're a bit confused, aren't you? "It listens to all your conversations when turned on". Really?
Stuart ***********
Did they give you a reason?
Martin *******
@Stuart **********
They cancelled my credit card because they said i didnt use it enoughStuart ***********
@Martin ******
I suspect my bank will do that at some point, although I am going back to the UK in a few months, so if I can keep it until then I will use it a lot to keep them happy!
Gordon *******
@Dave ********
have you got a debit card with the Halifax. If so are they closing that as well
Ned *******
@Dave ********
.....They are closing your account ....
Ohhh but they insist that you continue to make any outstanding payments ....🙈🙈
Ohhh ....but wait .....
'we're here to help'..........ohhh the irony .....🙈🙈
Dave *********
OP@Ned ******
Yeah, that's a great line isn't it?Stuart ***********
@Dave ********
i see, they didn't really give you a reason. That's annoying it's sometimes handy to have a credit card for things like booking flights. My bank has threatened to close my credit card because I hadn't used it for years, so I quickly used it and all was okay.Stuart ***********
@Dave ********
yes, it's like we are doing one of the most unhelpful things possible and to rub it in we will patronise you at the same time.Dave *********
OP@Stuart **********
I love the next 'we're happy to help' paragraph... Do get in touch... 🤣Dave *********
OP@Stuart **********
No...Andi ***********
@Dave ********
I'm with Halifax and overseas, you can keep your account but they restrict the products you can use. No CC, fixed term accounts, access to share dealing etc.
Peter *********
Not if you still have uk address
Dave *********
OP@Peter ********
So from that I guess you'll deduce that I live in Thailand and don't have a UK address as I don't have that option.John ********
@Dave ********
I'm with RBS., and as with most banks with I believe the exception of HSBC., all UK banks will close accounts of customers not living in the UK. Nationwide will allow you to keep your accounts with them if you live abroad also. I'm opening Nationwide accounts soon and transferring all my RBS funds to Nationwide.
Brian ********
@Da**
I'm in the same position as you with no UK address. I bank with First Direct, using my Kanchanaburi address and so far have not had a problem. I have a credit card and 2 debit cards.
Dave *********
OP@Justin *****
Large qualifying criteria...
Justin ******
@Dave ********
Have you considered the HSBC Expat account. Don't know if there's a service fee. The Expat Global Money account does have Baht in its currency.Dave *********
OP@John *******
Good to know. I will look at opening a Nationwide account (if I can from here, probably not?). As someone else said, it's good to have options in current accounts and credit cards.I'm aware of HSBC. I have a current account and Global Money debit card with them which are useful.
Peter **********
@Dave ********
of course you need a uk address
Andy **********
@Peter *********
why ?Dave *********
OP@Peter *********
Not all banks require a UK address and Halifax credit cards haven't for 4 years.Peter *********
@Dave ********
ok that's correct if not have a uk address all banks will close your accounts. You have family uk you can use as your address ?
James *********
@Dave ********
use a friend's address, with permission of courseChristopher ***********
@Dave ********
You could tell them you are about to return to UK upon a permanent basis. However, you do not, as yet, have a permanent address in mind. You would be lodging with various friends while you seek a suitable property to buy. Hopefully, they may be able to postpone closure of your credit card account?Dave *********
OP@Peter ********
That is not correct. Not all banks in UK will close your accounts.If I had family in the UK I'd use their address.
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