What you need to open a bank account as a non-citizen

Most US banks will open an account for you if you have a valid passport, a US address, and a way to prove your identity. You do not need to be a citizen or have a Social Security number, though some banks make it easier if you have one. The real barrier is not citizenship—it is the paperwork banks use to verify who you are and where your money comes from, because federal law requires them to do this for everyone.

The specific documents vary by bank and by your immigration status. A tourist visiting for two weeks faces different requirements than someone on an H-1B visa or a green card holder. Some banks ask for a US address before they will open an account; others will accept a temporary address or a hotel. The fastest path is to call the bank's customer service line before you go in, tell them your situation, and ask which documents they need from you.

If you do not yet have a US address, you can use a mail forwarding service, a friend's address, or in some cases a hotel address. Banks vary on whether they accept these. A few banks—mostly online banks—will open accounts for people outside the US, but they are the exception rather than the rule, and they usually require a US address eventually.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid passport and a US address are the two documents most banks require, regardless of citizenship status.
  • You may need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number, which you can obtain from the IRS before opening the account.
  • Call the bank's customer service line before visiting in person to confirm which documents they accept for your specific situation.
  • Online banks often have lower barriers to entry than brick-and-mortar banks, but they still require a US address and valid ID.
  • Some banks charge monthly fees for non-resident accounts or accounts without a US address, so compare options before committing.

Documents you will need to bring

Start with a valid passport. This is the document every bank will ask for, and it is the one piece of ID that works across all US financial institutions. If your passport is expired, most banks will still accept it as long as it was valid when you entered the country, but call ahead to confirm.

You will also need proof of a US address. This can be a lease, a utility bill, a mortgage statement, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your work address. If you are staying temporarily, some banks accept a hotel confirmation or a letter from the person whose address you are using, stating that you live there. A few banks will accept a mail forwarding service address, but this is becoming less common.

The third piece is tax identification. If you have a Social Security number, bring it. If you do not, you can obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS before you open the account. The ITIN process takes four to six weeks by mail, so plan ahead. Some banks will open an account without either number, but they will ask more questions and may place holds on deposits until they verify your identity through other means.

Bring a second form of ID if you have one—a driver's license, state ID, or visa. Not all banks require it, but having it speeds up the process. If you have recent bank statements from your home country, bring those too; some banks use them to verify your financial history.

Which banks accept foreign customers

Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all open accounts for non-citizens, but their requirements and fees vary. Chase requires a US address and a Social Security number or ITIN. Bank of America will open an account with a passport and US address but charges a monthly fee ($12 to $15) if you do not maintain a minimum balance. Citibank has branches in many countries and may have relationships with your home bank that speed up verification.

Regional banks are often more flexible than national chains. They are more likely to waive the Social Security number requirement and to accept alternative forms of address verification. If you are moving to a specific city, search for "community banks near [city name]" and call three or four to ask about their process for non-citizens.

Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Wise (formerly TransferWise) have lower fees and sometimes fewer barriers to entry, but they require a US address and usually take longer to verify your identity. Charles Schwab is known for accepting non-citizens and has no monthly fees, though you may need to fund the account from a US source initially.

Credit unions sometimes have lower barriers than banks, especially if you have a connection to the community—employment, student status, or membership in an organization. Call your local credit union and ask whether they open accounts for non-citizens.

The verification process and what happens next

When you walk in with your documents, the bank will photocopy your passport and address proof, ask you to sign forms, and run a background check through ChexSystems (a database of banking history) and sometimes through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which screens for sanctions and fraud. This takes 10 to 30 minutes in person.

The bank will then verify your identity by calling the phone number you provided or by sending a verification code to your email. Some banks do this the same day; others take one to three business days. Once verified, your account opens and you can deposit money when ready, though the bank may place a hold on large deposits (over $5,000) for one to five business days while they confirm the source of the funds.

If the bank cannot verify your identity through standard means, they may ask for additional documents—a copy of your visa, a letter from your employer, or a utility bill in your name. This extends the timeline to five to ten business days. If you fail verification, the bank will tell you why and give you the option to provide more information or close the account.

Once your account is open, you will receive a debit card in 7 to 10 business days and can set up online banking when ready. You can deposit checks, transfer money from abroad, and use the account like any US resident would.

Getting a Social Security number or ITIN before opening an account

If you are working in the US, your employer will help you obtain a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration. This process takes two to four weeks and requires your passport, visa, and employment letter. You do not need to wait for the number to arrive before opening a bank account—most banks will accept the receipt showing you have applied.

If you are not working or are visiting temporarily, you can obtain an ITIN instead. You explore through the IRS by mail using Form W-7, which takes four to six weeks. You will need your passport, a completed form, and proof of why you need the number (such as a letter from a bank or a tax filing requirement). Some banks will open an account while your ITIN process is pending if you bring the receipt showing you have applied.

You do not have to have a Social Security number or ITIN to open a basic checking account. Some banks will open one without either, though they may charge higher fees or place longer holds on deposits. If you plan to work, invest, or file taxes in the US, getting one of these numbers early saves time later.

Transferring money from outside the US

Once your account is open, you can move money from your home country through several routes. Wire transfers are the fastest (one to three business days) but cost $15 to $50 per transfer. International ACH transfers are slower (five to ten business days) but cost $0 to $15. Services like Wise, OFX, and Remitly often have better exchange rates than banks for large transfers.

Your new US bank will give you the routing number and account number you need to receive transfers. Write these down carefully—a single digit wrong will send the money to the wrong account, and recovering it takes weeks. If you are transferring a large amount (over $10,000), the bank will file a Currency Transaction Report with the federal government; this is routine and not a problem as long as the money comes from a legitimate source.

Some banks limit how much you can transfer in your first 30 days. Ask about this when you open the account so you are not surprised by a block on a large transfer.

Fees and account types for non-residents

Most banks charge a monthly maintenance fee for non-resident accounts, ranging from $0 to $25 per month. The fee is waived if you maintain a minimum balance (usually $1,500 to $5,000) or set up direct deposit. Some banks charge a higher fee for accounts without a US address or without a Social Security number.

A few banks offer accounts specifically for non-residents or expats. These accounts sometimes have higher minimum balances but lower fees overall. Citibank's Citigold account and HSBC's Expat Banking are examples, though availability depends on your country of origin and immigration status.

Compare the monthly fee, minimum balance requirement, ATM network, and international transfer fees before choosing a bank. A bank with a $15 monthly fee but free international transfers may cost less over a year than a bank with no monthly fee but $25 per transfer.

What to do if a bank refuses to open an account

If a bank says no, ask why. The most common reasons are: no US address, no Social Security number or ITIN, failed background check, or sanctions screening. If it is the address, you can often solve it by providing a letter from an employer or a mail forwarding service. If it is the tax ID, you can explore for an ITIN and return in four to six weeks. If it is a background check failure, ask the bank to tell you what came up and whether you can dispute it.

If one bank refuses, try another. Different banks have different risk tolerances and verification processes. A regional bank or credit union may accept you when a national chain will not. Online banks sometimes have different criteria than brick-and-mortar branches of the same company.

If you have been in the US for less than a few weeks, the issue may straightforward be that you do not yet have enough documentation. Come back after you have a lease, a job letter, or a utility bill in your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account if I am visiting the US on a tourist visa?

Yes, but it is harder. Most banks want a permanent US address, and a hotel address or temporary address may not may have access to. Your best option is to ask a friend or family member if you can use their address, or to look for an online bank that accepts temporary addresses. Call ahead rather than walking in—you will save time.

Do I need a US phone number to open an account?

Not required, but helpful. Banks use phone numbers to verify your identity and to contact you if there is fraud on the account. If you do not have a US number yet, give the bank your home country number and ask them to verify you by email instead. Some banks will do this; others will not.

What happens if I move and my address changes after I open the account?

Call the bank and update your address. This takes five minutes and can be done over the phone or online. Do not ignore the change—if the bank sends you a new debit card and it goes to the old address, you may not receive it.

Can I open a joint account with someone who is a US citizen?

Yes. A joint account with a US citizen sometimes makes verification easier because the bank can verify the citizen's identity and use that to speed up the process for you. Both of you will need to be present and bring ID.

How long does it take from walking in to having a working account?

If all your documents are in order and verification goes smoothly, 30 minutes to one business day. If the bank needs to verify your identity by phone or email, add one to three business days. If they ask for additional documents, add five to ten business days. Your debit card arrives separately in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use the account online or at the teller window before the card arrives.