Yes, but the bank decides who it will serve, and the rules have tightened
A foreign national can open a bank account in the United States, but not every bank will do it. The process depends on what type of account you want, how long you plan to stay, and which bank you approach. Some banks have stopped serving non-citizens entirely. Others require an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a U.S. address. A few still accept a passport and a foreign address, but those are becoming rarer.
The core issue is that U.S. banks must verify your identity under the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering rules. For a U.S. citizen, this is straightforward: a driver's license or Social Security number does the job. For a foreign national, banks have to work harder to confirm who you are, and many have decided the effort is not worth the risk or cost.
What you can actually open depends on your visa status, your length of stay, and whether you have a U.S. tax identification number. A student on an F-1 visa faces different requirements than a temporary worker on an H-1B, who faces different requirements than someone with a tourist visa.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks require either a Social Security number or an ITIN, a U.S. address, and a valid passport or visa to open an account as a foreign national.
- Students, temporary workers, and visa holders have the best chance; tourists and undocumented residents face much stricter limits.
- Online banks and credit unions sometimes have looser requirements than large national banks, but policies vary widely and change frequently.
- You will need to bring original documents to a branch in person; remote opening is rarely available for non-citizens.
- Some banks will not serve foreign nationals at all, so calling ahead to confirm their policy saves a wasted trip.
What documents you will need to bring
The baseline documents are a valid passport, proof of your current U.S. address, and a tax identification number. The address can be a rental agreement, a lease, a utility bill, or a letter from your employer or school on letterhead. It must show your name and the address, and it must be recent—usually within the last 60 to 90 days.
For the tax identification number, you have two paths. If you have a Social Security number (SSN), that is what the bank wants. If you do not, you can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. An ITIN takes four to six weeks to arrive by mail after you file Form W-7 with the IRS. You do not need to have U.S. income to get one; you can file the form at an IRS office, a tax preparation service, or through a certified acceptance agent. Some banks will open an account while your ITIN process is pending if you show them the receipt, but most will not.
Bring your original passport, not a copy. Some banks will also ask for a second form of ID—a driver's license from your home country, a national ID card, or a visa stamp in your passport. A few banks will ask for a reference letter from your employer or school, especially if you are opening a business account or if your visa status is recent.
Which visa statuses have the easiest path
Students on F-1 visas and temporary workers on H-1B, L-1, or O-1 visas have the clearest route. These visa categories come with documentation that banks recognize, and the visa itself proves you are in the country legally. Many banks have streamlined processes for these groups because they are common and predictable.
If you are on an F-1 visa, bring your I-20 form (issued by your school) along with your passport. If you are on an H-1B or similar work visa, bring your I-797 approval notice along with your passport. These documents prove your status and your right to work or study in the United States, which reassures the bank that you are not a flight risk and that your income or funding is legitimate.
Tourists and visitors on B-1 or B-2 visas have a much harder time. Banks see a short-term visitor and worry about money laundering or fraud. Some banks will refuse outright. Others will open only a basic savings account with low limits. A few will open a checking account if you have a U.S. address and an ITIN, but you may face restrictions on wire transfers or international transactions.
Banks and credit unions with the most flexible policies
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have tightened their policies in recent years. Most now require an SSN or ITIN and a U.S. address. Some branches will open an account; others will not. Your best move is to call the branch directly and ask whether they serve foreign nationals, rather than trying to open online or at a random location.
Online banks and smaller regional banks sometimes have looser requirements. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is designed for international customers and will open accounts for foreign nationals, though it functions more as a money transfer service than a full bank. Some credit unions, particularly those affiliated with universities or large employers, will open accounts for students or employees regardless of citizenship, as long as you have a valid visa and an ITIN.
Local and community banks vary widely. Some actively court international customers; others avoid them. The only way to know is to ask. Call ahead, explain your visa status and what documents you have, and ask whether they can open an account for you. If they say no, move to the next bank rather than showing up in person.
The ITIN process process and timeline
If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need an ITIN to open most bank accounts. The process starts with Form W-7, process for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You can file it by mail or in person at an IRS office.
By mail, the process takes four to six weeks. You send Form W-7 along with your original passport and a copy of your visa or I-20. The IRS will mail your ITIN to you. By the time it arrives, you will have lost several weeks. Some banks will accept the IRS receipt (the Form W-7-C) as proof that you have applied, but most will not open an account until the actual ITIN arrives.
In person, you can file at an IRS office or through a certified acceptance agent (a tax preparation service or nonprofit that the IRS has authorized). This does not speed up the process—the IRS still takes four to six weeks to mail your ITIN—but it can reduce the chance of errors or missing documents. If you are in a hurry, this is worth the small fee (usually $50 to $150) that an acceptance agent charges.
What happens if you cannot get an ITIN or SSN
If you are on a tourist visa or do not have legal status to work or study, getting an ITIN is difficult or impossible. The IRS will issue an ITIN only if you have a tax filing requirement or a reason to file taxes. A tourist does not meet that threshold.
In this situation, your options narrow. Some banks will open a basic savings account with just a passport and a U.S. address, but these accounts often have low deposit limits ($500 to $2,500) and restrictions on withdrawals. You may not be able to use a debit card or write checks. Wire transfers and international transactions may be blocked.
A few online services and money transfer platforms will work with foreign nationals who have only a passport. Wise, for example, will open an account for non-residents. PayPal and Stripe also serve some foreign users, though they function as payment platforms rather than banks. These are not substitutes for a real bank account, but they can help you receive and send money while you are in the country.
In-person opening and what to expect at the branch
Most banks will not open an account for a foreign national online or over the phone. You will have to visit a branch in person. Bring your original passport, your proof of address, your ITIN or SSN, and any visa documents (I-20, I-797, visa stamp). Bring more than you think you need; banks often ask for documents you did not expect.
The process usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. The banker will photocopy your documents, run a background check through ChexSystems (a banking history database), and ask questions about the source of your funds and the purpose of the account. Be honest and straightforward. If you say you are a student, have your I-20 ready. If you say you are working, have your employment letter or I-797 ready.
After you open the account, you will receive a debit card in the mail within 5 to 10 business days. You can usually start using the account online or at an ATM before the card arrives. Some banks will issue a temporary card at the branch if you ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account on a tourist visa?
Some banks will, but most will not. You can try smaller regional banks or credit unions, but expect to face restrictions: low deposit limits, no debit card, or no international transfers. You will need a U.S. address and a passport. An ITIN is not available to tourists, so you cannot use that route.
Do I need a Social Security number to open an account?
No. An ITIN works for most banks. If you do not have either, some banks will still open a basic savings account with just a passport and a U.S. address, but the account will have limits and restrictions. Call the bank first to ask what they require.
How long does it take to open an account as a foreign national?
If you already have an ITIN or SSN, opening takes one day—you visit the branch, provide documents, and the account is active when ready or within one business day. If you need an ITIN first, add four to six weeks for the IRS to process your process.
Can my family member in another country help me open an account?
No. Banks require you to open the account in person at a U.S. branch. You must be present with your original documents. Remote opening is not available for foreign nationals at most banks.
What if a bank refuses to open an account for me?
Banks have the right to refuse service to anyone. If one bank says no, try another. Call ahead to confirm their policy before you visit. Online banks, credit unions, and smaller regional banks are more likely to serve foreign nationals than large national banks.