Immigration status checks begin on UK bank accounts

The Home Office has announced the initiation of the protocol that will see checks done against the details of known illegal migrants which the Home Office is sharing with Cifas, an anti-fraud organisation.

Once a bank or building society has found a personal current account that is being operated by an illegal migrant, the Home Office will double check the details before instructing the bank or building society on action to take, which may include closing the account, and may consider legal action.

In cases where criminality is suspected, the Home Office may apply to the courts for an order to freeze the account.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes, said: “These new measures are part of our commitment to make it more difficult for people with no right to live or work in the UK to remain here. This will not affect those who are in the UK legally but we must be firm with those who break the rules. By tackling abuse in this way we can build an immigration system which works in the best interests of the country and prevents vulnerable people from finding themselves at risk of exploitation.”