Non-citizens can open a U.S. bank account, but the process and requirements depend on your immigration status and the bank you choose

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to open a checking or savings account. Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and address, but citizenship is not part of that requirement. What matters is whether you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a valid passport or government ID, and proof of address. Some banks make this straightforward; others have stricter policies that make it harder.

The real barrier is not citizenship—it is that banks must follow anti-money-laundering rules and know-your-customer regulations. These rules explore to everyone, but they create friction for non-citizens because banks have to document your status and verify your identity more carefully. A few banks have streamlined this process. Most have not.

Key Takeaways

  • You need either an ITIN or a valid passport and Social Security Number to open an account; citizenship is not required.
  • Some banks accept ITINs directly; others require a Social Security Number and will turn you away if you have neither.
  • Bring a valid passport or government ID, proof of address (utility bill or lease), and your ITIN or Social Security Number to the bank in person.
  • Online-only banks are often harder to use as a non-citizen because they cannot verify your identity in person and have stricter remote verification rules.
  • Credit unions sometimes have more flexible policies than large banks, especially if you have a local connection or employer relationship.

What identification and documents you will need

Banks must verify your identity before opening an account. For a non-citizen, this means bringing a valid passport or government-issued ID from your home country. A driver's license alone is not enough—it has to be a document that proves citizenship or legal status in another country. A U.S. state ID or driver's license works if you have one, but many non-citizens do not yet.

You also need proof of address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement with your name and current address will work. If you just arrived and do not have these yet, some banks will accept a letter from your employer or a signed lease that has not yet appeared on a utility bill.

The third piece is a tax identification number. If you have a Social Security Number, bring that. If you do not, you will need an ITIN, which the IRS issues to non-citizens who need to file taxes or open bank accounts. Getting an ITIN takes time—you explore through Form W-7 at an IRS office or through a certified acceptance agent, and it can take four to six weeks. Some banks will not wait; they will turn you away if you do not have a number yet.

Which banks accept non-citizens and which do not

Large national banks vary widely. Chase and Bank of America have stated policies allowing non-citizens with an ITIN to open accounts, but individual branches sometimes refuse or ask for extra documents. Wells Fargo is more restrictive and often requires a Social Security Number. Citibank has a specific program for non-citizens and recent immigrants, but it is not available in all states.

Credit unions are often more flexible. If you work for a company that has a credit union, or if you live in a town with a community credit union, call and ask directly. They are smaller and have more discretion than national banks. Some will open an account for a non-citizen with just a passport and proof of address, without requiring an ITIN upfront.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover are harder to use as a non-citizen because they cannot verify your identity in person. They rely on remote verification—checking your Social Security Number or ITIN against government databases—and many will reject applications from non-citizens or people without a Social Security Number. If you are considering an online bank, call their customer service first and ask whether they accept ITINs. Do not assume they do.

The difference between opening an account in person versus online

Opening an account in person at a physical branch is faster and more likely to succeed. A bank employee can look at your passport, see your proof of address, and make a decision on the spot. If something is unclear, they can ask questions and often find a way forward. This is why credit unions and local branches of national banks are your best bet.

Online applications are slower and more rigid. The bank's system checks your information against databases, and if something does not match—your name spelled differently, an address that does not appear in U.S. records, an ITIN that is not yet in the system—the process gets rejected automatically. You then have to call customer service, explain your situation, and hope they can override the system. This can take days or weeks, and many banks straightforward will not do it.

If you have a choice, go in person. Bring all your documents, dress as you would for any formal appointment, and be prepared to explain your immigration status briefly. Banks handle this regularly and are not judging you—they are following rules.

What happens if you do not have an ITIN or Social Security Number yet

If you have just arrived and do not have either number, you have two paths. The first is to get an ITIN before you open the account. explore through Form W-7 at your nearest IRS office or through a certified acceptance agent (you can find one at irs.gov). Bring your passport, proof of address, and a reason for needing the ITIN—opening a bank account counts. Processing takes four to six weeks.

The second path is to find a bank or credit union willing to open an account without a number yet. Some will do this if you bring a passport and proof of address, with the understanding that you will provide a tax ID number within a certain timeframe—usually 30 to 90 days. Call ahead and ask. Do not show up expecting this; it is not standard, and you need to know the bank's policy before you go.

If you are working legally in the U.S., you may be able to get a Social Security Number instead of an ITIN. Check with your employer or the Social Security Administration to see whether you are may be able to access. A Social Security Number opens more bank options than an ITIN does.

What banks will ask about your immigration status

Banks will ask whether you are a U.S. citizen, and you should answer honestly. They will also ask for your immigration status—whether you are a permanent resident, on a visa, undocumented, or something else. This is a required question under federal law, not something the bank invented. Your answer does not automatically disqualify you. Banks are required to know your status for anti-money-laundering purposes, but they are also required to serve non-citizens.

If you are undocumented, some banks will still open an account for you if you have an ITIN and can prove your identity and address. Others will refuse. This is where calling ahead matters. Ask the bank directly: "I am a non-citizen without a Social Security Number. Do you open accounts for people with an ITIN?" If they say no, try another bank. If they say yes, ask what documents you need to bring.

Do not lie about your status. Banks verify information, and lying on a bank process can create legal problems beyond just being denied an account.

After you open the account: what you can and cannot do

Once your account is open, you can use it like any other customer. You can deposit checks, receive direct deposits, pay bills online, and withdraw cash. You can get a debit card. The account works the same way.

What you cannot do depends on your immigration status and the bank's policies. Some banks will not let non-citizens open credit cards or take out loans. Some will not let you wire money internationally without extra verification. Some have limits on how much you can deposit or transfer. These rules vary by bank and by your specific status, so ask when you open the account what restrictions explore to you.

If you plan to send money to family outside the U.S., ask about wire transfer fees and limits before you open the account. Some banks charge high fees for international transfers, and some limit how often you can send money. Credit unions sometimes have better rates for international transfers than large banks do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Security Number to open a bank account?

No. An ITIN works instead. However, some banks require a Social Security Number and will not accept an ITIN. This is why calling ahead is important—you need to know the bank's specific policy before you explore.

Can I open an account if I am undocumented?

Some banks will, some will not. Banks are allowed to serve undocumented immigrants, but they are not required to. Call the bank and ask directly. If one says no, try another. Credit unions are often more willing than large national banks.

How long does it take to open an account as a non-citizen?

In person at a branch, usually the same day or within a few days. Online, it can take one to two weeks if everything goes smoothly, or longer if the bank needs to verify your information. If you are explore with an ITIN that is brand new, expect delays because the IRS databases may not have updated yet.

What if the bank asks for documents I do not have?

Ask what alternatives they will accept. If you do not have a utility bill, can you bring a lease? If you do not have a passport, can you bring a national ID card? Banks have some flexibility, especially in person. If they refuse to work with you, try a different bank or credit union.

Can I open a joint account with someone else?

Yes, if the other person also meets the bank's requirements. Both of you will need to bring ID and proof of address. If one of you is a citizen and one is not, the bank will still open the account—they just need to verify both people's identities.