My experience and research suggests it is very hard to open a bank account in the UK as a foreigner. Even living here permanently, I had to open an HSBC "Passport" account for students and have it for six months before I could open a decent bank account and get a credit card. Every bank I have researched requires proof of address (lease, utility bill, council tax statement) and passport and visa showing residency.

Of all the things when I moved to the UK, dealing with banking was by far the hardest and required the most loops. I got a visa to live and work here with less hassle then it took me to open a bank account!