What banks will let you open an account as a tourist

Most major U.S. banks will not open a checking or savings account for you if you are a tourist on a temporary visa. They require a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and they verify your identity against U.S. government databases. A tourist visa does not generate an SSN, and getting an ITIN as a tourist is difficult.

Some banks have made exceptions: Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut offer accounts to tourists and short-term visitors without requiring an SSN, though these are not traditional bank accounts—they are multi-currency payment accounts. A few regional banks and credit unions in tourist-heavy areas (Miami, New York, Los Angeles) occasionally open accounts for tourists, but you will need to call ahead and ask. Do not assume a branch will do it just because another branch did.

The core barrier is not the bank's willingness—it is federal anti-money-laundering law. Banks must verify your identity under the Bank Secrecy Act, and they cannot do that reliably for someone with no U.S. tax number and no permanent address.

Key Takeaways

  • Traditional U.S. banks require a Social Security Number or ITIN, which tourists do not have, so most will turn you away at the counter.
  • Payment apps like Wise and Revolut accept tourists and do not require an SSN, but they are not bank accounts and come with different protections and limits.
  • If you have a U.S. address (even a temporary one—a hotel, Airbnb, or friend's address works) and a passport, some smaller regional banks and credit unions will open an account, but you must call first.
  • The fastest way to move money into the U.S. as a tourist is a wire transfer to someone else's account or a prepaid travel card loaded before you arrive.

Why Social Security Numbers matter for bank accounts

A Social Security Number is how U.S. banks verify who you are and check whether you have unpaid debts or a history of fraud. When you apply for an account, the bank runs your SSN through the ChexSystems database (which tracks closed accounts and fraud) and often through Equifax or another credit bureau. Without that number, the bank cannot complete the verification the law requires.

An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is issued by the IRS to people who need to file taxes but do not have an SSN—typically undocumented immigrants or foreign nationals with U.S. income. Getting an ITIN takes weeks and requires proof that you have a reason to file taxes in the U.S. (a job, rental income, or self-employment). As a tourist, you have no such reason, so the IRS will not issue one.

Some banks will ask for a passport and a U.S. address instead of an SSN, but they still cannot verify you against U.S. databases, so they treat the risk as too high. The exceptions are banks that have built their own verification systems or that operate in jurisdictions with different rules.

Payment apps and digital accounts for tourists

Wise lets you open a multi-currency account online with a passport and an email address. You can receive wire transfers, hold money in multiple currencies, and spend using a debit card (which you can order to a U.S. address or have sent to your home country). Wise does not offer FDIC insurance like a bank does, but it is regulated by FinCEN (the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) and holds customer money in partner banks. Transfers into a Wise account are slower than into a traditional bank (one to three business days for a wire), but the account itself opens in hours.

Revolut works similarly: you sign up with a passport, get a virtual card immediately, and can order a physical card. Revolut also does not offer FDIC insurance, and it is less widely accepted in the U.S. than Wise, but it is useful if you need to spend money quickly and do not have time to wait for a traditional bank account.

Both Wise and Revolut charge fees for certain transactions (currency conversion, ATM withdrawals, wire transfers). Read their fee schedules before you open an account. Neither is a replacement for a bank account if you plan to stay in the U.S. long-term, but both work for tourists who need to receive or spend money during a short visit.

Regional banks and credit unions that accept tourists

Some smaller banks and credit unions in major cities will open accounts for tourists if you have a U.S. address and a passport. Citibank branches in New York and Miami have been known to do this, as have some local credit unions in California and Florida. The catch: policies vary by branch and change over time. You cannot walk in and expect it to work. Call the branch first, ask to speak to a manager, and ask whether they open accounts for tourists on visitor visas. Be specific about your visa type.

If they say yes, bring your passport, a proof of U.S. address (a hotel confirmation, an Airbnb booking, or a letter from a friend), and cash to fund the account. Some banks will ask for a phone number; give them your U.S. number if you have one, or a number where you can receive calls. Do not lie about your visa status or your reason for being in the country. Banks report false information to federal authorities.

Credit unions are sometimes more flexible than banks because they are member-owned and have fewer federal compliance pressures. If you are staying with a friend or family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, ask them whether their credit union accepts tourists. It is worth a phone call.

Prepaid cards and wire transfers as alternatives

If you need to bring money into the U.S. as a tourist and do not want to open an account, a prepaid travel card is the fastest option. You load money onto the card before you leave your home country, and you can spend it at any merchant that accepts Visa or Mastercard. Cards like Wise, OFX Travel Card, and Travelex offer this service. The card arrives before your trip, and you control the money immediately. Fees vary: some charge a flat loading fee, others charge per transaction or per ATM withdrawal.

A wire transfer to someone else's U.S. bank account is another option if you know someone in the country. You send money from your home bank to their account, and they give you cash or transfer it to you later. Wire transfers take one to three business days and cost $15 to $50 depending on your bank and the amount. This is slower than a prepaid card but often cheaper if you are moving a large amount of money.

Neither option requires you to open a U.S. bank account, and both let you access money during your stay. The trade-off is that prepaid cards have daily spending limits and ATM withdrawal limits, and wire transfers require you to trust someone with your money.

What happens if you try to open an account with false information

Do not claim to be a U.S. resident or citizen if you are a tourist. Banks verify visa status through government databases, and lying on a bank application is a federal crime. If caught, you face fines and possible deportation, and the bank will close your account and report you to the Department of Homeland Security.

If a bank opens an account for you and later discovers you misrepresented your status, they will freeze the account and may hold your money while they investigate. You will not be able to access it until the investigation closes, which can take weeks or months. The money itself is not lost, but you cannot use it while you are still in the country.

Be honest about your visa type and your length of stay. If a bank says no, that is the answer. There are legal alternatives—Wise, prepaid cards, and wire transfers—that work for tourists without requiring you to break the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account if I am on an H-1B or student visa?

Yes, if you have a valid visa and a U.S. address. H-1B and student visa holders can get an ITIN or sometimes an SSN (students can get an SSN if their school sponsors them), and most banks will open an account for you. Bring your passport, visa, I-94 arrival record, and proof of address (a lease, a dorm assignment letter, or a utility bill). Call ahead to confirm the bank accepts your visa type.

What if I need to receive a paycheck while I am visiting?

You cannot legally work in the U.S. on a tourist visa, so you should not receive a paycheck. If you are on a work visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1), your employer can deposit your paycheck into a bank account you open with your visa and ITIN. If you are a tourist and someone tries to pay you, that is a violation of your visa terms and can result in deportation.

Can I use my home country bank account while I am in the U.S.?

Yes. You can use your debit card or credit card from your home bank to withdraw cash from ATMs and spend at merchants in the U.S. Be aware that your bank will charge foreign transaction fees (usually 1 to 3 percent) and ATM fees ($2 to $5 per withdrawal). Wise and Revolut are cheaper alternatives if you plan to withdraw cash frequently.

How long does it take to open a Wise account?

You can open a Wise account and get a virtual card in minutes. A physical debit card takes five to ten business days to arrive if you order it to a U.S. address, or longer if you order it to your home country. You can spend with the virtual card immediately while you wait for the physical card.

What if I want to stay longer and convert to a different visa?

If you change your visa status (for example, from tourist to student or work visa), you can then open a traditional bank account using your new visa and ITIN or SSN. You do not need to close any account you opened as a tourist; you can keep it and use it alongside your new account. Contact the bank to update your visa information in their system.