Yes, you can open a US bank account from the UK, but most major banks will not let you do it remotely

The short answer is that it depends on the bank and your reason for needing the account. Some US banks will open accounts for UK residents, but they typically require you to visit a US branch in person or have a US address and Social Security number. The banks that do accept remote applications from abroad usually charge higher fees, impose stricter limits on what you can do, or require a minimum deposit that ranges from $1,000 to $25,000.

If you have a US address (even a temporary one), a US phone number, or a US tax ID, your options expand significantly. If you have none of these, you will need to either travel to the US to open the account in person, use a specialist bank that serves expats, or explore alternatives like international money transfer services.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major US banks require either a US address, a Social Security number, or an in-person visit to open an account from the UK.
  • Some banks that serve expats, like Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut, offer US account numbers without requiring you to be in the US, though these are not traditional bank accounts.
  • If you have a US address or phone number on file, you have access to more banks and better terms than if you do not.
  • Opening an account in person during a US visit is often faster and cheaper than trying to do it remotely, and gives you more choice of banks.
  • You will need a valid passport, proof of UK address, and either a Social Security number or an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to complete the process.

Banks that accept applications from the UK without requiring a US visit

A small number of US banks will open accounts for non-residents without requiring you to visit in person. These include some online-only banks and banks with a history of serving expat communities. Wise offers a US account number and routing number to UK residents, though it functions more like a multi-currency wallet than a traditional checking account. Revolut also offers US account details to UK users. Neither of these is a full US bank account in the traditional sense—you cannot write checks from them, and they do not offer credit products—but they do give you a US account number and routing number for receiving payments and direct deposits.

Some smaller regional banks and credit unions will also open accounts remotely if you have a US address or phone number, even if you do not live there. This is worth checking if you have a relative's address you can use or if you are planning to move to the US soon. The catch is that you will still need to provide a Social Security number or ITIN, and you may face delays if the bank cannot verify your identity through standard US databases.

What documents you will need to provide

Every US bank will ask for proof of identity and proof of address. For identity, bring your UK passport or a valid UK driving license. For address, a recent utility bill, council tax bill, or bank statement showing your UK address will work. Some banks will also accept a letter from your employer or a mortgage statement.

You will also need either a Social Security number or an ITIN. If you have worked in the US or have a US parent, you may already have a Social Security number. If not, you can request an ITIN from the US Internal Revenue Service, though this process takes several weeks and requires you to fill out Form W-7. Some banks will open an account without an ITIN if you provide a passport and UK address, but they may freeze the account or close it later if you do not provide a tax ID within a set period.

If you are opening the account in person during a US visit, bring your passport, a UK address document, and your Social Security number or ITIN if you have one. If you are explore remotely, the bank will ask you to upload scans or photos of these documents through their website or app.

Opening an account in person during a US visit

If you are planning to visit the US, opening an account in person is usually the fastest and most straightforward route. Walk into any branch of the bank you want to use, bring your passport and proof of UK address, and ask to open a checking account. Most banks will complete the process in 15 to 30 minutes. You will leave with a debit card (or a temporary card number) and can start using the account when ready.

The advantage of opening in person is that you have access to every major US bank—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others—without any special requirements or higher fees. You also avoid the identity verification delays that sometimes happen with remote applications. The disadvantage is that you have to be in the US to do it, and you may not have a visit planned.

If you do visit, go to a branch in a major city where staff are used to opening accounts for non-residents. Bring more documents than you think you will need, including a second form of ID if you have one. Some branches are slower than others, so call ahead if possible and ask whether they can open an account for a UK resident.

Why banks ask for a US address and what to do if you do not have one

US banks ask for a US address because it is part of their standard identity verification process and because US banking law requires them to know where their customers live. If you provide a UK address, the bank has to run additional checks to confirm you are not on any US sanctions lists or law enforcement watch lists. This takes longer and sometimes triggers a manual review that can delay your account opening by several days.

If you do not have a US address, you have a few options. You can use a mail forwarding service like UPS Store or a virtual mailbox service, though some banks now reject these addresses because they know they are not real residences. You can ask a relative or friend in the US if you can use their address temporarily. You can also straightforward provide your UK address and accept that the process will take longer. Most banks will eventually open the account; they just need to do extra verification first.

Do not lie about having a US address. Banks verify addresses through postal databases, and if they discover you provided a false one, they can close your account and report you to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This can make it much harder to open accounts at other banks in the future.

Fees and minimum deposits for accounts opened from abroad

Banks that accept remote applications from non-residents often charge higher monthly fees than they do for accounts opened in person by US residents. These fees vary widely—some banks charge nothing, while others charge $10 to $15 per month. Some waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance, which typically ranges from $500 to $2,500.

A few banks also require a minimum deposit to open the account, usually between $1,000 and $25,000. This is less common than it used to be, but it is still worth checking before you explore. Online banks like Ally and Charles Schwab typically have no minimum deposit and no monthly fee, which is why they are often the easiest option for non-residents.

If you are using a service like Wise or Revolut instead of a traditional bank account, there is usually no monthly fee, but you may pay a small fee each time you transfer money or convert currency. These fees are typically lower than what a traditional bank charges for international transfers.

How long it takes and what happens after you explore

If you explore in person at a US branch, you will have an account within 30 minutes. If you explore remotely, expect the process to take anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks, depending on the bank and how quickly they can verify your identity. Banks that serve a lot of expats, like Wise, are usually faster—often same-day or next-day. Banks that rarely deal with non-residents may take longer because they have to route your process to a compliance team for manual review.

After you explore, the bank will send you a confirmation email and may ask you to verify your email address or phone number by clicking a link or entering a code. Some banks will then mail a debit card to your UK address, which can take 7 to 14 days. Others will give you a temporary card number you can use when ready while you wait for the physical card to arrive. A few will let you set up direct deposit or transfers right away, even before the card arrives.

Once your account is open, you can use it to receive direct deposits from a US employer, receive payments from US clients, or transfer money to and from the UK. You will not be able to write checks unless you request a checkbook, and you may face limits on how much you can transfer internationally per day or per month, depending on the bank's policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a US Social Security number to open an account?

No, but you need either a Social Security number or an ITIN. If you have neither, you can request an ITIN from the US Internal Revenue Service using Form W-7, though this takes several weeks. Some banks will open an account with just a passport and UK address while you wait for your ITIN, but they may close it if you do not provide a tax ID within 30 to 90 days.

Can I open a US bank account if I have never lived in the US?

Yes. You do not need to have lived in the US to open an account. You do need a valid passport, proof of UK address, and either a Social Security number or ITIN. If you have none of these, opening an account in person during a US visit is your fastest option.

What is the difference between Wise and a real US bank account?

Wise gives you a US account number and routing number, which is useful for receiving payments and direct deposits. But it is not a bank account in the traditional sense—you cannot write checks, you cannot overdraft, and you cannot get a credit card or loan. It is a multi-currency account designed for international transfers. A real US bank account gives you all of these features.

Will opening a US bank account affect my UK taxes?

Opening an account will not affect your UK taxes, but you may have reporting obligations to the US if you are a US citizen or resident. The US requires citizens to report foreign bank accounts over a certain threshold. If you are a UK resident with no US citizenship, you typically have no US tax obligations, but you should check with a tax advisor to be sure.

Can I open an account if I am on a UK visa or do not have permanent residency?

Yes. Your immigration status in the UK does not affect your ability to open a US bank account. You just need a valid passport and proof of your current UK address. If you are on a temporary visa, some banks may ask for additional documentation, but most will still open an account for you.