You can open some US bank accounts from Canada, but the bank has to allow it and you need a US address or tax ID

Most major US banks will not open an account for you if you live in Canada and have only a Canadian address. Banks are required to verify your identity and tax status under US law, and they treat Canadian residents as higher risk because they cannot easily confirm your information through US systems. Some banks will refuse outright. Others will open an account if you have a US address (even a mailbox), a US phone number, or a US tax identification number like an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).

The banks most likely to work with Canadian residents are those that have physical branches in Canada or that specifically market to cross-border customers. Online-only banks are less predictable—some will open accounts for Canadians, others will not, and their policies change. You will need to contact the bank directly to ask, because their website usually will not tell you.

If you cannot open a traditional account, you have other routes: US-focused fintech banks, cross-border payment services, and US branches of Canadian banks. Each has different requirements and different costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Most US banks require a US address or US tax ID to open an account from Canada, and many will not open accounts for Canadian residents at all.
  • Banks with Canadian branches or cross-border operations are more likely to accept Canadian residents than online-only US banks.
  • A US address can be a mailbox service, not necessarily a home or business you own; a US phone number can be obtained through VoIP services.
  • If a traditional bank will not work, fintech banks and cross-border payment platforms offer alternatives, though they have different fee structures and limits.
  • You will need to provide proof of identity, proof of address, and tax information; the bank will ask for a Social Security Number or ITIN.

What US banks actually require from Canadian residents

The core requirement is proof of US tax residency or a US address. A US address does not have to be your home. It can be a UPS mailbox, a virtual mailbox service, or a friend's address with their permission. The bank's system needs to match your address to a US state for regulatory reasons.

You will also need a US phone number. You can obtain one through VoIP services like Google Voice (free, but requires a US address to set up) or Skype (paid monthly). Some banks will accept a Canadian number, but most prefer a US one.

Third, you need proof of identity. A Canadian passport or driver's license will work. Some banks will also accept a state ID or US passport if you have one.

Finally, the bank will ask for your tax identification number. If you are a US citizen or green card holder, this is your Social Security Number. If you are a Canadian citizen, you will need to explore for an ITIN through the IRS. Getting an ITIN takes four to six weeks and requires filing a form with the IRS; you cannot do this online from Canada, but you can mail it or use a tax professional.

Banks that accept Canadian residents without a US address

TD Bank and Bank of America both have Canadian branches and will sometimes open US accounts for Canadian customers who bank with them in Canada. You will need an existing relationship with the Canadian branch. Call the US customer service line and ask if they can open a US account linked to your Canadian account.

Scotiabank operates in both countries and has similar policies, though they are less consistent. RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) has a US division and may open accounts for Canadian residents, but you will need to contact them directly.

These banks are not may provide to say yes. Their policies vary by branch and by the type of account you want. Call the US division directly and ask whether they will open an account for a Canadian resident. Have your Canadian account number ready.

Fintech banks and cross-border payment services

If traditional banks will not work, Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers a US bank account number to Canadian residents. You do not get a physical debit card, but you get an account number and routing number that you can use to receive US payments and transfers. Wise charges a monthly fee (currently around $8 USD) and takes a small cut on currency conversions. You can set up an account online in about 10 minutes.

Revolut also offers US account numbers to Canadian users, with similar limitations. Mercury is a US fintech bank that sometimes accepts Canadian residents, though their policy is not consistent. Check their website or contact support before you try to sign up.

These services are useful if you need to receive US payments or hold US dollars, but they are not full bank accounts. You cannot write checks, and you may have limits on how much you can transfer in or out per month. Read the terms carefully before you open one.

Getting a US tax ID if you do not have a Social Security Number

If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). You explore by mailing Form W-7 to the IRS along with proof of identity and proof of Canadian residency. You can read Form W-7 from the IRS website (irs.gov).

The IRS will mail your ITIN back to you in four to six weeks. You cannot explore online from Canada. Some tax professionals in Canada specialize in helping Canadian residents get ITINs; they charge a fee (usually $100 to $300 CAD) but handle the paperwork for you.

Once you have an ITIN, you can use it to open a US bank account the same way a US resident would. The bank will ask for it instead of a Social Security Number.

The cost and timing of opening an account

Opening a US bank account from Canada takes longer than opening one in the US. If you use a traditional bank, expect two to four weeks from process to account opening. The bank will verify your identity, your address, and your tax status. Some banks will call you to confirm information.

If you use a fintech service like Wise, you can have an account number within hours. However, you may not be able to use it when ready—some services hold your account for review for a few days.

Costs vary. Traditional banks usually do not charge a monthly fee for a basic checking account, though some charge if you do not maintain a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500 USD). Fintech services charge monthly fees ranging from $0 to $15 USD. Currency conversion fees explore if you transfer money between USD and CAD; these range from 1% to 3% depending on the service.

What happens if the bank asks for more information

Some banks will ask for additional documents after you submit your process. Common requests include a recent utility bill, a bank statement, or a letter from your employer. If you live in Canada, you can provide a Canadian utility bill or bank statement—the bank is verifying that you exist and that your address is real, not that you live in the US.

If the bank asks for a US address and you do not have one, this is the time to set up a mailbox service. UPS Store locations across the US offer mailbox rentals starting at around $10 USD per month. You can rent a box online and have an address within a few days. Some banks will accept a mailbox address; others will not. Ask the bank before you rent one.

If the bank denies your process, ask why. Common reasons are: no US address, no US phone number, no ITIN or Social Security Number, or the bank's policy against Canadian residents. If it is a policy issue, you cannot change it. If it is a missing document, you can usually reapply once you have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you can use an ITIN instead. You explore for an ITIN by mailing Form W-7 to the IRS with proof of identity and Canadian residency. The process takes four to six weeks.

Can I use a Canadian address to open a US bank account?

Most banks will not accept a Canadian address. You need a US address, which can be a mailbox service, a virtual address, or a friend's address with permission. Some fintech services are more flexible, but traditional banks almost always require a US address.

What is the cheapest way to open a US bank account from Canada?

A traditional bank with no monthly fee is cheapest if you can meet their requirements. If you cannot, Wise or Revolut charge monthly fees ($8 to $15 USD) but are faster to set up and do not require a US address. Compare the monthly fee against how often you will use the account.

Can I open a US bank account if I am a Canadian citizen?

Yes, but you will need a US address, a US phone number, and an ITIN. Canadian citizenship is not a barrier; the barrier is proving you have a US address and a US tax ID. Banks treat Canadian residents as higher risk because they are harder to verify through US systems.

How long does it take to open a US bank account from Canada?

Traditional banks take two to four weeks. Fintech services like Wise can issue an account number within hours, though you may not be able to use it when ready. If you need an ITIN first, add four to six weeks to the timeline.