UK banks and building societies will conduct immigration checks on 70 million current accounts from the first year, as part of Prime Minister Theresa May’s efforts to create a “hostile environment” for illegal immigrants in the country. The Home Office anticipates that it will identify 6,000 individuals within January 2018 who have overstayed their visas, failed in their asylum applications, or who face deportation. Checks, which will be conducted quarterly, will enable accounts to be closed or frozen. Banks are not required to contact account holders during the check.
UK banks and building societies will conduct immigration checks on 70 million current accounts from January 2018, as part of Prime Minister Theresa May’s efforts to create a “hostile environment” for illegal immigrants in the country. The Home Office anticipates that it will identify 6,000 individuals within the first year who have overstayed their visas, failed in their asylum applications, or who face deportation. Checks, which will be conducted quarterly, will enable accounts to be closed or frozen. Banks are not required to contact account holders during the check.