What tourists can actually open

A tourist can open a bank account in the United States, but not every type of account, and not at every bank. Most major banks will open a checking or savings account for a visitor, but they require a valid passport, proof of a U.S. address (even a temporary one), and often a minimum deposit. Some banks have specific products for non-residents; others will turn you away entirely.

The catch is that you need to be physically present in the United States to open the account in person. No U.S. bank will open an account for you remotely if you are still in your home country. You also cannot open an account online and then use it before you arrive — the bank needs to verify your identity face-to-face and confirm your address.

If you are staying with friends or family, you can use their address as your U.S. address on the process. If you are in a hotel, some banks will accept the hotel address; others will not. This is the single biggest barrier for many tourists, because banks treat a hotel address as temporary and risky.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be physically present in the United States and bring a valid passport to open an account; no bank will open one for you remotely.
  • You need a U.S. address on file, which can be a friend's home, a relative's address, or sometimes a hotel, but not a foreign address.
  • Major banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo will open accounts for tourists, but smaller regional banks may have stricter rules.
  • A minimum deposit (usually $25 to $100) is required at most banks, and some charge monthly fees unless you maintain a balance or set up direct deposit.
  • The account opens when ready or within one business day, but you will need a debit card, which arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Which banks accept tourists and what they require

The largest U.S. banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank — all open accounts for tourists, though their policies vary slightly. Chase requires a valid passport and a U.S. address; they do not require a Social Security number if you do not have one, but they will ask for your tax identification number or passport number instead. Bank of America has the same basic requirements and will accept a hotel address if you are staying fewer than 30 days.

Smaller regional banks are less predictable. Some will open accounts for tourists without hesitation; others have explicit policies against it. Before you visit a branch, call ahead and ask whether they open accounts for non-residents with a passport. This saves you a trip to a branch only to be turned away.

All banks will ask for a government-issued photo ID (your passport), proof of your U.S. address, and your date of birth. Some will also ask for a phone number where they can reach you — give them your U.S. phone number if you have one, or your home country number if you do not. They will not reject you for having a foreign phone number, but a U.S. number speeds up the process.

The address problem and how to solve it

The biggest obstacle for tourists is the address requirement. Banks are required by federal law to verify your address, and they treat foreign addresses as unverifiable. If you give them an address outside the United States, they will deny the account.

If you are staying with friends or family, use their address. The bank will send your debit card and statements there, so make sure the person living at that address knows to expect mail in your name. If you are staying in a hotel, call the bank before you go to the branch and ask whether they accept hotel addresses. Some do; some do not. If they do, bring your hotel confirmation or a recent hotel bill with the address on it.

If you cannot provide a U.S. address, some banks offer prepaid debit cards instead, which do not require an address verification. These are not bank accounts — they are reloadable cards that you fund yourself — but they work for most everyday transactions. They are available at convenience stores, supermarkets, and online, and you can set up one in minutes.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your passport and nothing else will work as a primary ID. A driver's license from your home country is not sufficient on its own. The bank will photocopy your passport or scan it into their system.

Bring proof of your U.S. address. This can be a utility bill, a lease, a letter from the person whose address you are using, a hotel confirmation, or a recent credit card statement showing the address. If you are using a friend's address, a straightforward letter from them on their letterhead stating that you are staying there is usually enough. Some banks will accept a screenshot of your hotel booking confirmation on your phone.

Bring your passport number and date of birth written down, even though the bank will ask you to write them again on the process. This speeds up the process and reduces errors. If you have a U.S. phone number, bring that too. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your passport — the bank will use that instead.

How long it takes and what happens next

The account opens on the same day you visit the branch, or the next business day if you visit late in the afternoon. You will receive a temporary debit card at the branch or by mail within 3 to 5 business days. Your permanent card arrives within 7 to 10 business days, usually sent to the address you provided.

You can begin using the account when ready, even before your debit card arrives. You can deposit cash at the branch, set up transfers from another account, or ask the bank to issue you a temporary card number that works online. Most banks allow you to access your account online or through their mobile app within 24 hours of opening it.

If you are leaving the United States before your debit card arrives, ask the bank to hold it at the branch or to send it to a different address. Some banks will mail it to your home country, though this takes 2 to 4 weeks. Others will not. Ask at the time you open the account so there are no surprises.

Fees and minimum balances

Most checking accounts for tourists have no monthly fee if you maintain a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500) or set up direct deposit. If you do not meet either requirement, the monthly fee is typically $10 to $15. Savings accounts usually have no monthly fee but pay very little interest — often less than 0.01% annually.

ATM withdrawals at the bank's own ATMs are free. Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs usually cost $2 to $3 per transaction. If you are staying in the United States for a short time, these fees may not matter much. If you are staying longer, choose a bank with a large ATM network in the area where you will be spending time.

Overdraft fees (charged when you spend more than you have in the account) are typically $30 to $35 per transaction. Most banks allow you to opt out of overdraft protection, which means transactions will straightforward be declined rather than charged a fee. This is the safer choice if you are unfamiliar with U.S. banking.

Alternatives if a bank account will not work

If you cannot open a bank account because you do not have a U.S. address or because you are leaving too soon, prepaid debit cards are the most practical alternative. These are available at Target, Walmart, CVS, and most supermarkets. You buy the card, set up it online or by phone, and load money onto it. They work everywhere a regular debit card works — online, in stores, at ATMs — but they do not build a banking relationship and do not report to credit bureaus.

Money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram let you send money from your home country to a U.S. location, where you can pick it up in cash. This is slower (usually 1 to 3 business days) and more expensive (fees are typically 3% to 8% of the amount sent) than a bank account, but it requires no address and no ID beyond your passport.

If you have a U.S. credit card or debit card from your home bank, you can use that for most purchases and ATM withdrawals. You will pay foreign transaction fees (usually 1% to 3% of each transaction) and ATM fees, but you will not need to open a new account. This is often the cheapest option if you are staying for only a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account as a tourist?

No. If you do not have a Social Security number, the bank will use your passport number and date of birth instead. You will need to fill out a form (usually Form W-8BEN) stating that you are a non-resident for tax purposes, but this is routine and takes two minutes.

Can I open an account online before I arrive in the United States?

No. U.S. banks require you to be physically present and show a government-issued ID in person. You cannot complete the process remotely. Some banks let you start the process online, but you must finish it in a branch.

What if I am staying in an Airbnb or short-term rental?

Use the Airbnb address as your U.S. address. Bring your booking confirmation as proof. Most banks accept this, though a few may ask for additional documentation from the property owner. Call the bank before you visit the branch to confirm they will accept a short-term rental address.

Can I keep the account open after I leave the United States?

Yes. Once the account is open, you can keep it open indefinitely and use it when you return. You can access it online from anywhere in the world. However, the bank may close it if there is no activity for 12 to 24 months, so make a small deposit or transfer every year or so to keep it active.

How much money do I need to deposit to open an account?

Most banks require a minimum opening deposit of $25 to $100. Some banks waive this if you set up direct deposit. A few banks have no minimum deposit at all. Call ahead to ask what the specific bank requires.