Well, with Barclays its a long procedure and you end up with branch specialized to handle foreigners. With the US no chance anymore. I just want to show that all this was easy before 9/11, a hassle ever since. Within the EU (and CH) when you register at a municipality your data will automatically be transferred to that country`s centralized foreigners registry. Which can be checked by every other Schengen member state. And every EU state has to have a centralised registry of all their residents bank accounts, which are available to that state`s authorities (not just the taxman). And all banking figures will be collected from 2016 for delivery for members that claim taxation of that resident. Bright and brave new world.
Schengen visum is maximum for 3 months in a 6 months period. So quickly cross the border and come back is impossible. All Schengen countries are connected now to 1 database were they can find a list of all people that overstayed or caused other problems. If you ask a visum in a Schengen country, they first check this database too. You can get a longer visum, or a multiple entry visum, but the regulations are very strict. Permanent travellers cannot make abuse of it because of all these rules and restrictions. I know personally a case: somebody asked a visum for 3 months to go to a Schengen country. That visum was refused because the Schengen country was afraid that this person would stay there and try to get permission to stay. After the refusal this person tried again but in another Schengen country. Visum was refused again because this person was already in the Schengen database as refused because of risk that she would not return in another Schengen country.
Hittfeld is right. I tried to open a bank account last year, in my own country in a bank where i am already client for 30 years, for my girlfriend who was abroad at that moment. IMPOSSIBLE. She should come in person and bring her national or international passport. I am afraid that you did do some administrative part, but you will have to go in person, and show additional papers, to get your card. And the country where you are domicilated will probably know about your account.
Did you notice I talked about people who enjoyed "visa free entry" hence didn't need to apply for a Shenghen visa? Besides i'm talking about a while back, before Switzerland joined Shenghen, it was easy to hop between Shenghen and Switzerland and often no stamp showed when the person had eithered Switzerland or a Shenghen country. But it's been a while since I've hung out with people unable to sort out their residency issues.
Yes, because you coulnd't open an account for you GF in Nederlands when she was not there means nobody can open a bank account anywhere in the world without showing up at the bank. Are you related to Volpunter by any chance ? HSBC premier arranges account opening overseas for their customers before they move somewhere, and also although it's more complicated can help remote account openings in places one can justify needing an account, even though he'snot going to move there. I've used another bank though, which had an easier process and where I hold more than a couple of bucks. but tthey didn't request a big investment either
Even visa free your stay will be limited, so no possibility to quickly hop over the border and come back. Stamps are everywhere now, except if you stay inside of Schengen.
Yes, that's quite possible, more countries entering Shenghen might make the process more difficult/impossible now
Allo ? I opened an account remotely in the UK (but then if you are indeed Voly's cousin you are going to shout it's a disgustingly corrupt country)
And obviously I didn't select UK to hide funds from tax authorities... although considering where I live, the UK or any european country would be a decent choice if I needed to. Account is working fine, i have no use of the debit card nor intention to show up in the UK anytime soon.