Switching, explained

Two or three years in London is enough time to collect most of the UK switch bonuses, if you pace it. How to fit the cycle around a visa, a thin credit file and a flight home.

The short answer for most people, where interest is different, the bit tax firms disagree on, and what Australians in the UK should also check.

What you need, which banks will open an account for someone who landed last week, and why your Australian credit history does not come with you.

Chase would not open an account for me when I arrived from Australia. Here is why that happens, the spare accounts that work instead, and when to apply for the bonuses.

New to the UK with no credit history? The steps that actually add to your file, how long they take to show, and what to avoid while it builds.

Most UK switch bonuses want two active direct debits, some want none, and one only counts household bills. Here is which is which, and what actually counts.

The switch itself takes seven working days. The bonus takes between 30 and 90 days after that, depending on the bank and on how quickly you finish the requirements.

Technically yes, with two spare accounts. The reason experienced switchers do not is not the rules — it is being blocked by an entire banking group.

Bonuses are excluded by banking group, not by brand. HSBC and first direct are one group; Nationwide owns Virgin Money; Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland are one.