Yes, but the bank will ask for more documents than it asks US citizens
A foreigner can open a bank account in the United States. Most banks will do it. What changes is the paperwork: you will need to prove who you are and where you live in ways that work across borders, and you will need a tax identification number or a reason why you do not have one yet.
The process takes longer than it does for a US citizen—typically one to three weeks instead of same-day—because the bank has to verify your identity through channels that do not include a US driver's license or Social Security number. Some banks have streamlined this. Others have not. A few refuse foreigners altogether, usually because the compliance cost is not worth it to them.
The real barrier is not the law. It is that banks treat foreign customers as higher risk, so they ask for more proof. If you have the documents, you can open an account. If you do not, you may need to wait until you do, or try a different bank.
Key Takeaways
- You will need a valid passport or national ID, proof of a US address, and either a Social Security number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or a letter from your employer stating you are authorized to work.
- Most banks accept foreign customers, but some require a minimum deposit (often $100 to $500) and charge higher monthly fees than they charge US citizens.
- Online banks are often faster and have lower barriers than brick-and-mortar branches, though they cannot verify your identity in person.
- If you are in the US on a visa, bring your passport and visa stamp; if you are a permanent resident, bring your green card instead.
- The bank will ask where your income comes from and may request a letter from your employer or school confirming your status and income.
What documents you will need to bring
Start with a valid passport. This is the document every bank will accept. If your country issues a national ID card that is still valid, some banks will take that instead, but a passport is safer. Bring the original, not a copy—the bank needs to see it in person to verify the security features.
Next, you need proof of a US address. A lease, a utility bill, or a letter from your employer or school stating your address will work. The document should show your name and the address where you are living now. If you just arrived and do not have a lease yet, a letter from a friend or family member you are staying with, on their letterhead, can work at some banks—call ahead to ask.
Third, you need a tax identification number or a statement of why you do not have one. If you have a Social Security number, bring that. If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), bring that. If you have neither, bring a letter from your employer or school on official letterhead stating that you are authorized to work or study in the United States and what your visa status is. Some banks will open an account without a tax ID if you can show you are here legally and have income.
How to get an ITIN if you do not have a Social Security number
An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to people who are not may be able to access for a Social Security number but need to file taxes or open a bank account. You do not have to be working to get one. You do not have to be a permanent resident. You just have to be in the United States legally.
To get an ITIN, you file Form W-7 with the IRS. You can do this by mail or in person at an IRS office. By mail takes four to six weeks. In person is faster—some IRS offices can process it the same day, though this varies by location. You will need your passport, proof of your US address, and proof of your legal status (your visa, your I-94 arrival record, or a letter from your school or employer).
Some banks will open an account while your ITIN process is pending if you bring the filed Form W-7 and a receipt showing you submitted it. Others will not. Call the bank before you explore for the ITIN and ask what they need.
Which banks are easiest for foreigners
Online banks like Charles Schwab, Wise, and Revolut have fewer in-person verification requirements and often accept foreigners faster than traditional banks. They verify your identity through video call or document upload, which works across borders. They also tend to have lower minimum deposits and no monthly fees. The trade-off is that you cannot walk into a branch if something goes wrong.
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo will open accounts for foreigners, but they require you to come into a branch in person, and they may ask more questions about where your money comes from. They also charge monthly fees unless you maintain a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500).
Credit unions are hit or miss. Some welcome foreigners. Others have membership rules that exclude non-residents or non-citizens. Call ahead.
Banks in states with large immigrant populations—California, Texas, New York, Florida—tend to have faster processes because they do it often. If you have a choice, starting with a bank in one of these states can save time.
What happens after you open the account
Once the bank approves you, it will issue you a debit card, usually within five to ten business days. You can use this card to withdraw cash, make purchases, and pay bills online. You will also get online banking access so you can check your balance and transfer money.
The bank will send you a welcome packet with your account number and routing number. Keep this. You will need the routing number if you want to receive wire transfers or direct deposits from an employer.
If you plan to send money back to your home country, ask the bank about wire transfer fees and exchange rates when you open the account. These vary widely. Some banks charge $15 to $50 per wire. Others charge a percentage of the amount. Wise and similar services often have better rates for international transfers than traditional banks.
What to do if a bank says no
If one bank refuses you, try another. Banks have different risk tolerances and different compliance departments. A bank that says no to you might say yes to someone in the same situation because they use different verification methods or have different policies about minimum deposits.
If you are being refused repeatedly, the problem is usually one of three things: you do not have a valid address, you do not have proof of legal status, or you do not have a tax ID and the bank is not willing to wait for you to get one. Fix whichever of these applies, then try again.
If you have been in the United States for a while and still cannot open an account, ask your employer or school if they have a relationship with a bank that serves their employees or students. Many do, and those banks are more likely to work with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account?
No. An ITIN or a letter from your employer or school stating you are authorized to work or study will work at most banks. Some banks are stricter and will not open an account without a Social Security number or ITIN, so call ahead to ask what the bank needs.
Can I open an account online if I am not in the US yet?
Some online banks will let you start the process before you arrive, but they will ask you to verify your identity once you are in the country. A few banks require you to be physically present in the US to complete the account opening. Check with the bank's customer service before you book your flight.
What if my passport is expiring soon?
Bring it anyway. Banks verify your identity using the passport you have now, not the one you will have later. Once your account is open, you do not have to update it when your passport expires unless the bank asks you to. Some banks do ask for updated identification every few years, but this is not common.
Will the bank report my account to my home country?
No. US banks do not share account information with foreign governments. They do report to the IRS if you are a US tax resident, and they report large deposits (over $10,000) to the US government as part of anti-money-laundering rules, but this is standard for all accounts, not just foreign ones.
Can I open an account if I am here on a tourist visa?
Most banks will not. They want to see a work visa, a student visa, or a green card. A tourist visa shows you are not planning to stay, so banks see you as higher risk. If you are planning to stay longer, change your visa status first, then open the account.