HSBC Passport account helps International students

International students moving to the UK to study can now avoid one of the biggest hassles of moving to a new country thanks to an innovative current account from HSBC.

HSBC Passport allows people moving to the UK to open a fully functional bank account quickly and easily.

Skye MacFarlane, HSBC's Senior International Manager, said: "Around 15 per cent of the students in the UK come from overseas and many of them have difficulty settling in. Getting a bank account is one of the most important things you must do when you move abroad, but it can also be among the most difficult and time consuming. HSBC Passport was designed to help them relocate, allowing them to focus of their studies."

Bank account opening documents such as proof of residential address and utility bills can contribute to lengthy account opening processes in the UK, as these may not be obtained until you've been in the country for a few months.

HSBC Passport is a bank account with a fully functional VISA debit card, allowing customers 24 hour access to their money, before they have a permanent address or established credit history in the UK.

Skye MacFarlane continued: "In most countries, you need a bank account in which to be paid or to rent somewhere to live. You need debit cards for every day transactions, otherwise it can be extremely hard to function normally and settle in, adding to what can already be a hugely stressful experience. Many people are forced to get by for weeks or months using their overseas credit cards or organising money transfers to friends or family. This can be expensive and a real hassle. HSBC Passport alleviates this stress for our new to UK customers and makes settling into your new home a whole lot easier."

HSBC Passport also offers a range of products and services to help with the day-to-day aspects of studying and living abroad. For £8 a month, customers are able to take advantage of the following benefits:

Free relocation advice from red24, available in eight different languages, both online and over the phone, before, during and after their arrival

A Globetalker SIM card from TalkMobile for customers to keep in touch with family and friends back home. The SIM card is preloaded with £10 credit and allows international calls from only just 4p per minute.

Free calls to HSBC Telephone Banking as well as Text Banking so that customers can keep on top of their finances.

A Flexible Saver Account, so that customers can start saving and keep their money safe as soon as they arrive while also having instant access to their money whenever they need. HSBC Passport account holders will also have access to the HSBC Regular Saver and earn an interest of 8 % AER, fixed for 12 months.

Make regular affordable international money transfers. This could normally cost in the region of £30 per transfer, but with HSBC Passport Account, customers will be able to send money home for £17, no matter which channel of payment they choose.

A Western Union gold!+ card for sending money home in cash. Points can be earned every time the card is used, which can be collected and used towards savings on future transactions and comes with an initial £3 discount for customers first Western Union transfer.