Is there an ISA for non UK citizens living in the UK?

Emma-Jane Stogdon

Living in the UK? If you’ll be working and earning money, you might want to think about opening a savings account. This can help you earn interest and make your savings pot go a little further.

There are lots of different savings accounts available in the UK, including Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs). These can offer tax-free interest on your money, a benefit well worth having.

But is there an ISA for non-UK citizens living in the UK? Find out everything you need to know here in this handy guide.

How does an ISA differ from a normal savings account?

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) differ from standard savings accounts in one major way - you don’t pay tax on the interest you earn.

Ordinarily with UK bank accounts, you’d pay UK income tax on any savings interest you earn above your personal savings allowance for the year. But with an ISA, you can save up to £20,000 a year without paying tax on the interest.

This is another difference between ISAs and normal savings accounts. With the latter, you can usually save as much as you like. But with an ISA, the amount you can put in is capped at £20,000 a year.

📚 What is an ISA?

Is there an ISA option for non-UK citizens living in the UK?

Yes, if you’re over 18 years old and considered a tax resident in the UK, you should be able to open an ISA account.1

A tax resident is someone who spends at least 183 days in the UK across the tax year, and it means that they’ll pay tax on their wages if they’re working.2

So if your visa allows you to live and work in the UK, you’ll be classed as a tax resident.

And this means you should be able to open an ISA account to benefit from tax-free savings. You don’t need a specialist ISA either - most standard cash ISAs should be available to you.

If you spend a lot of time working overseas (or perhaps even live there) and you’re a member of the armed forces or a Crown employee, you can still open a UK ISA - even while not a tax resident of the UK. The same goes for your spouse or civil partner.1

How to open an ISA as a non-UK citizen if you are eligible?

If you’re classed as a UK tax resident and are therefore eligible to open an ISA, here’s how to do it.

In most cases, you can apply for an ISA online at the bank or provider’s website. You’ll usually need to provide:

  • Your National Insurance (NI) number
  • Details of your last few addresses
  • Photo ID (not always required).

If you prefer, you can apply for your ISA in person at a branch of the bank, if it has branches.

Who is eligible for an ISA account in the UK?

You can open an ISA account in the UK if you are aged 18+ and meet one of the following:1

  • Have a visa to live and work in the UK, and live here full-time
  • Have a visa to study in the UK and live here full-time - read our guide to ISA accounts for international students
  • Are an Overseas Crown employee (or their spouse/civil partner) living outside the UK.

What happens to your ISA if you leave the UK?

If you leave the UK, your ISA will remain open but you won’t be able to make any further contributions to it. However, you will still benefit from tax-free savings on already money held in it.

You’ll also need to inform your ISA provider that you're no longer a UK resident.3

Can you keep your existing ISA when moving to the UK?

ISAs are specific to the UK, so other countries don’t have them.

However, you may be able to keep other kinds of savings accounts when moving to the UK - it all depends on the rules set by your country and/or account provider.

Wise account – an alternative to a bank account

After reading this, you should be all set to check your eligibility and open your first UK ISA. If you’re a UK tax resident working or studying here, you should be fine to open one.

But just remember that there are some alternative ways to manage your finances while studying, working or living in the UK.

A great option is the Wise account, a multi-currency account with access to the mid-market exchange rate, to help you to avoid high currency conversion fees. Unlike many banks or providers, Wise only charges just a small, transparent fee*.

Open your Wise account 🌍

You can get a Wise card for everyday spending, send money back home for low fees*, and even earn returns on some currency balances with Wise Interest (capital at risk).

Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you’re uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.


Sources used:

1. GOV.UK - info on Individual Savings Accounts
2. GOV.UK - Tax on foreign income
3. GOV.UK - Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) - If you move abroad

Sources last checked on date: 01-May-2025


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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