Yes, non-residents can open a U.S. bank account, but the process is slower and the options are fewer than for U.S. citizens

Banks in the United States will open accounts for non-residents, but you will face stricter identity verification and higher minimum balances than a U.S. resident would. The main barrier is not your residency status — it is that banks must follow federal rules about knowing who their customers are, and proving who you are from outside the country takes more documentation and time.

Most traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) can open accounts for non-residents if you have a U.S. address, a U.S. tax identification number, or a U.S. phone number. Some will not. Online banks and credit unions are often more flexible, though each has its own rules. The process typically takes two to four weeks instead of the same-day or next-day service a U.S. resident might receive.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-residents can open checking and savings accounts at most U.S. banks, but you will need to provide more identity documents than a U.S. citizen would.
  • A U.S. address, even a temporary one, makes the process much faster — a mailing address alone is usually not enough.
  • Online banks and credit unions often have fewer restrictions than large national banks, though some require a U.S. Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
  • You will likely need a passport, proof of your home country address, and documentation of your reason for opening the account (employment, education, investment).

What documents you will need to bring

Banks use a process called Know Your Customer (KYC) to verify who you are. For non-residents, this means more paperwork than a U.S. citizen needs. You will typically need a valid passport, your home country address, and proof of why you are opening the account — a job offer letter, university enrollment letter, or investment documentation.

Some banks also ask for a secondary form of identification from your home country, a recent utility bill or lease showing your address abroad, and a reference from another bank where you hold an account. A few banks require a U.S. address before they will open an account at all. If you do not have one yet, a temporary address (hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's address with their permission) may work, though you should call the bank first to confirm.

If you do not have a U.S. Social Security number, you will need to explore for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. This takes four to six weeks. Some banks will open an account while your ITIN process is pending if you have a receipt showing you applied, but others will not. Ask before you start the process.

Which banks are most likely to accept non-residents

Online banks tend to be more flexible than brick-and-mortar branches because they do not require you to visit a physical location. Wise (formerly TransferWise), Revolut, and some online-only U.S. banks will open accounts for non-residents without a U.S. address, though they may charge higher fees or require a higher minimum balance. Credit unions are also worth checking — many will open accounts for non-residents if you have any connection to their membership base (employment, family member, alumni status).

Large national banks like Chase and Bank of America can open accounts for non-residents, but policies vary by branch and by state. Some branches will do it; others will not. Your best approach is to call the specific branch where you want to open the account and ask whether they serve non-residents, rather than relying on the bank's website. If the first branch says no, try another branch in a different state — policies are not always consistent.

Community banks and regional banks are sometimes more willing to work with non-residents than national chains, especially if you have a reason they understand (you work for a local employer, you are studying at a local university). These banks often have more flexibility in their verification process and lower minimum balances.

How to open an account by mail or video call

Most banks that serve non-residents will let you open an account without visiting a branch in person. You can do this by mail, by video call, or through the bank's website. The bank will send you forms to sign and return, along with copies of your documents. You will need to have your documents notarized (certified as genuine by an official notary) in your home country, or the bank may accept a certified copy from your home country's bank.

Video call verification is faster than mail. The bank will schedule a call with you, ask you to show your passport and other documents on camera, and verify your identity in real time. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. After the call, the account opens within a few business days. Mail verification takes longer — typically two to three weeks — because the bank has to receive your documents, review them, and then mail you a confirmation.

Some banks will not open an account by mail or video call and require you to visit a branch in person. If you are planning to move to the United States, you can open an account once you arrive. If you are not moving here, you will need to find a bank that offers remote account opening.

What happens after your account opens

Once your account is open, you will receive a debit card and checks by mail, usually within one to two weeks. You can set up direct deposit and online bill pay when ready through the bank's website. If you are outside the United States, transferring money into your account from your home country bank will take three to five business days using a wire transfer, or up to two weeks using an international ACH transfer (a slower, cheaper method).

Some banks charge monthly fees for non-resident accounts, or require a higher minimum balance to avoid fees. Check the bank's fee schedule before you open the account. A few banks also restrict what you can do with a non-resident account — for example, some will not let you use a debit card for online purchases, or they will not let you open a credit card. Ask about these restrictions when you call to confirm the bank will serve you.

Why banks ask for so much information

The United States has strict anti-money-laundering laws that require banks to verify the identity of everyone who opens an account, and to report any suspicious activity to the government. Banks are also required to check whether you are on any government watchlist. These rules explore to everyone, but banks are extra cautious with non-residents because they cannot easily verify information from outside the country.

This is not the bank being difficult — it is the bank following federal law. If a bank does not verify your identity properly and later discovers you were using the account for illegal activity, the bank itself can be fined or lose its license. This is why the process takes longer and requires more documents for non-residents than for U.S. citizens.

Alternatives if a U.S. bank account is not possible right now

If you cannot open a traditional U.S. bank account yet, there are other ways to hold and move money in the United States. International money transfer services like Wise, OFX, and Remitly let you hold U.S. dollars and receive payments from U.S. employers without a full bank account. You can withdraw the money by wire transfer or debit card. These services are not banks, so they have different rules and different protections, but they work for many non-residents who need a temporary solution.

If you are moving to the United States, you can open a bank account once you have a U.S. address and a Social Security number or ITIN. The process is much faster once you are here. If you are staying outside the United States but need a U.S. account for work or investment, an online bank or credit union is usually your fastest path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Security number to open a U.S. bank account as a non-resident?

No, but you will need either a Social Security number or an ITIN. An ITIN takes four to six weeks to obtain from the IRS. Some banks will open an account while your ITIN process is pending if you show them your process receipt, but others will not. Call the bank first to ask.

Can I open a bank account if I am in the U.S. on a visa?

Yes. Visa holders are usually treated the same as permanent residents for banking purposes. You will need your passport, visa, and a U.S. address (your current address, even if temporary). The process is often faster for visa holders than for people living outside the country because you can visit a branch in person.

What if the bank rejects my process?

Banks can refuse to open an account for any reason that is not discrimination. If one bank says no, try another. Online banks, credit unions, and smaller regional banks are often more flexible than large national banks. You can also ask the bank why they rejected you — sometimes it is a straightforward fix, like needing a different form of ID or a U.S. address.

How long does it take to open an account as a non-resident?

By mail, two to four weeks. By video call, three to five business days. In person at a branch, usually the same day or next day. The time depends on how quickly the bank can verify your documents and how quickly you can return signed forms.

Can I open a credit card account as a non-resident?

Some banks will issue credit cards to non-residents, but most require you to have an existing checking or savings account with them first, and some require a U.S. address or Social Security number. Credit cards are harder to get than bank accounts. Start with a bank account, then ask about credit card options once that is open.