Whether you can open a bank account online from abroad depends on your citizenship, residency status, and which bank you choose

Most U.S. banks will not let you open an account entirely online if you are outside the country, even if you are a U.S. citizen. Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity in person or through specific remote methods, and they treat foreign locations as higher risk. Some banks have workarounds—a few allow citizens or permanent residents to open accounts remotely if they have a U.S. address on file or can verify identity through video. Others require you to visit a branch in person, which means waiting until you return to the U.S. or traveling specifically for that purpose.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, your options narrow further. Most mainstream banks will not open accounts for non-residents at all. Your best paths are online banks that explicitly serve non-residents, banks in your home country that have U.S. operations, or international banking services designed for expats and travelers.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. citizens and permanent residents can sometimes open accounts remotely through banks that offer video verification or have existing U.S. address records, but most banks still require an in-person visit.
  • Non-residents and non-citizens face stricter limits and should look for online banks, international banks, or expat-focused services rather than traditional U.S. banks.
  • You will need a valid passport, proof of address (yours or a U.S. contact's), and sometimes a U.S. tax ID or ITIN to open any account from abroad.
  • Opening an account from another country takes longer than opening one in the U.S.—expect two to four weeks for verification and account setup.

Which banks allow remote account opening from abroad

A small number of banks have made remote account opening available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents abroad. Charles Schwab is one of the most accessible: they allow U.S. citizens to open brokerage and checking accounts online from outside the U.S. if you have a valid passport and can verify your identity. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is not a traditional bank but offers multi-currency accounts and debit cards to people in most countries; you can open an account entirely online with a passport.

Fidelity allows remote account opening for some account types if you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport. Some credit unions, particularly those with no physical branch requirement, may also allow remote opening—check with your specific credit union first.

Traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo generally do not allow full online account opening from abroad, though they may allow you to open an account if you have an existing relationship with the bank or a U.S. address you can use. Call the bank's customer service line to ask about their specific policy for your situation; policies vary by account type and change periodically.

What you need to open an account from another country

Banks require identity verification before opening any account, and the documents needed are stricter when you are abroad. You will need a valid passport as your primary ID—a driver's license alone is not sufficient from outside the U.S. You will also need proof of your current address, which can be a utility bill, lease, or government-issued document from the country where you are living.

If you do not have a current address abroad (for example, if you are traveling and moving frequently), some banks will accept a U.S. address instead—a family member's home, a mail forwarding service, or a previous address you still own. Ask the bank whether they will accept this before you start the application.

You may also need a U.S. tax ID. If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you already have a Social Security Number. If you are a non-citizen, you may need to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS before opening an account. Some banks will issue an account without an ITIN if you provide your passport number instead, but this varies by bank.

How the verification process works when you are abroad

Banks verify your identity remotely through one of three methods: video call, document upload, or third-party verification services. If the bank offers video verification, a representative will call you at a scheduled time and ask you to show your passport, answer security questions, and confirm your address. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and happens within a few days of your application.

Document upload is slower but does not require a live call. You photograph your passport, proof of address, and sometimes a recent utility bill or bank statement, then upload them through the bank's website. The bank's compliance team reviews these documents, which can take one to two weeks. If anything is unclear or missing, they will ask you to resubmit.

Some banks use third-party identity verification services like IDology or Socure, which cross-reference your documents against databases. These services are faster—often instant or within 24 hours—but they work best if you have a U.S. address and Social Security Number on file.

Why banks are stricter with accounts opened from abroad

U.S. banks are required by federal law to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. These rules require banks to verify that customers are who they say they are and that the money moving through accounts is not connected to illegal activity. Opening an account from a foreign location raises red flags because the bank cannot easily verify your identity in person and cannot confirm your address through standard U.S. databases.

Banks also face higher compliance costs and regulatory scrutiny when serving non-residents. Some banks have decided the cost is not worth it and have stopped opening accounts for people abroad entirely. Others have created separate processes or require higher minimum deposits for remote accounts opened from outside the U.S.

Alternatives if your bank will not open an account remotely

If your bank refuses to open an account online from abroad, you have several options. The most straightforward is to wait until you return to the U.S. and open an account in person at a branch. If you need an account before then, consider opening an account with an online bank or fintech service that explicitly serves non-residents.

Wise, Revolut, and N26 are digital banks that allow non-residents to open accounts from abroad with a passport and proof of address. These are not traditional banks—they do not offer the same FDIC insurance as U.S. banks—but they provide debit cards, international transfers, and multi-currency accounts. Wise is particularly useful if you need to move money between countries.

If you are a non-citizen, you might also open an account with a bank in your home country that has U.S. operations or partnerships. For example, some Canadian and UK banks allow their customers to open linked U.S. accounts remotely. Ask your home bank whether they offer this service.

Another option is to use a mail forwarding service or ask a family member to let you use their U.S. address temporarily. Some banks will open an account for you if you provide a U.S. address, even if you are currently abroad. Once the account is open, you can update your address to your current location abroad. This is not deceptive—you are providing a real address—but confirm with the bank that this is acceptable before you apply.

Timeline and what to expect after you apply

Opening an account online from abroad takes longer than opening one in the U.S. If the bank uses video verification, expect the account to be open within three to five business days. If they use document upload, allow one to two weeks. Some banks take even longer if they need to escalate your application for manual review.

After your account is approved, the bank will send you login credentials by email. You can begin using the account immediately for transfers and bill pay, but you may not be able to order a debit card until the bank confirms your mailing address. Debit cards sent abroad can take four to eight weeks to arrive, depending on the country and the bank's shipping method. Ask the bank about card delivery options when you open the account—some will ship to a U.S. address instead if you prefer.

During the verification process, the bank may contact you by phone or email with follow-up questions. Respond quickly—delays in responding can slow down approval. If the bank cannot reach you or if your documents are unclear, your application may be denied. Keep your phone number and email address current in the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account online from another country if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Most traditional U.S. banks will not open accounts for non-residents. Your best options are online banks like Wise, Revolut, or N26, which accept non-residents with a passport and proof of address. Some international banks also offer U.S. accounts to non-residents, but you will need to ask your home bank directly.

What if the bank asks for a U.S. address and I do not have one?

Ask the bank whether they will accept a family member's address, a mail forwarding service address, or a previous U.S. address you owned. Some banks will; others will not. If the bank refuses, you will need to wait until you have a U.S. address or use an online bank that does not require one.

Will my debit card arrive if I am living abroad?

Most banks can ship debit cards internationally, but it takes four to eight weeks. Ask the bank about shipping options when you open the account. Some banks allow you to have the card shipped to a U.S. address instead, or they may issue a virtual card you can use immediately while you wait for the physical card.

Do I need an ITIN to open a bank account from abroad?

If you are a U.S. citizen, no—your Social Security Number is sufficient. If you are a non-citizen, some banks require an ITIN, while others will accept your passport number instead. Contact the bank before you apply to confirm what they need.

Can I open an account using a relative's U.S. address?

Yes, many banks will allow this as long as the address is real and belongs to someone who can receive mail on your behalf. You will need to update your address to your current location once the account is open. Confirm with the bank that this is acceptable before you apply.