Guides › Savings and Investments › ISA Transfer Delayed
ISA Transfer Delayed
To move an ISA, ask the new provider to transfer it; if you withdraw the money yourself you lose that part of your tax-free allowance. Transfers between cash ISAs should take no more than 15 working days, and other types no more than 30 calendar days.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
ISA Transfers
The Rules
Contact the ISA provider you want to move to and fill in a transfer form. If you withdraw the money without doing this, you will not be able to reinvest that part of your tax-free allowance. Transfers should take no more than 15 working days between cash ISAs, and 30 calendar days for other types. Money from this year and earlier years can be moved. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 15 working daysCash ISA transferMaximum
- 30 daysOther ISA transfersCalendar days, maximum
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Note the date you asked the new provider to transfer.
Step 2 of 5
Ask both providers where the delay is.
Step 3 of 5
Complain to the provider causing the delay.
Step 4 of 5
Ask for any lost interest to be put right.
Step 5 of 5
After 8 weeks, go to the Financial Ombudsman.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
The Old and New Providers
Complain to whichever is causing the delay.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Free, after 8 weeks or a final response.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Do not close the old ISA yourself: let the new provider transfer it.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/individual-savings-accounts/transferring-your-isa Checked 13 October 2026
- financial-ombudsman.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026