Yes, non-citizens can open bank accounts in the United States, but the documents you need and the banks willing to work with you depend on your immigration status and which state you live in.
Most major banks will open an account for someone without a Social Security number or with a visa, work permit, or green card. Some banks ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN. A few states—California, Illinois, New York, and Oregon—have passed laws requiring banks to accept certain forms of ID from non-citizens even without a federal tax number. Other states have no such requirement, which means banks in those states can refuse you if you don't have an SSN or ITIN.
The real barrier is not whether you're a citizen but whether you can prove who you are and that you're not a money-laundering risk. Banks must follow federal anti-money-laundering rules, which is why they ask for identification and proof of address. Your immigration status itself does not disqualify you—your ability to document your identity does.
Key Takeaways
- Non-citizens with a valid passport, visa, or work permit can open a bank account at most major banks, though some regional banks may refuse.
- An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) can replace an SSN for banking purposes in many cases, and you can get one from the IRS even if you're not authorized to work.
- California, Illinois, New York, and Oregon require banks to accept ID from non-citizens without an SSN or ITIN; other states do not have this requirement.
- You will need a valid government-issued ID (passport, visa, work permit) and proof of address (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency) to open an account.
- Online banks and credit unions sometimes have different rules than large national banks, so if one bank refuses you, others may not.
What documents you need to bring
Banks follow a federal process called Know Your Customer (KYC) that requires them to collect specific information from everyone who opens an account. For a non-citizen, this means you'll need to show:
- A valid government-issued photo ID—a passport, visa, work permit (like an H-1B or L-1), or green card. A driver's license from your home country may not be accepted.
- Proof of your current address—a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or mail from a government agency dated within the last 60 to 90 days. A letter from your employer or landlord may work if it includes your address and date.
- A tax identification number: either an SSN, an ITIN, or (in some cases) a passport number if you're opening an account in a state with non-citizen ID laws.
If you don't have an ITIN or SSN, ask the bank whether they will accept your passport number or visa number in its place. Some will; others will not. If the bank refuses, you can get an ITIN from the IRS by filing Form W-7. You do not need to be authorized to work in the United States to get an ITIN—it is available to non-residents and non-citizens for tax purposes.
Which banks are most likely to accept non-citizens
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank have policies that allow non-citizens to open accounts, though individual branches may apply the rules differently. Call ahead or visit a branch in person to confirm, because a teller's understanding of the policy can vary.
Credit unions often have more flexible rules than banks because they are member-owned and may not be subject to the same federal requirements. Some credit unions will open an account for a non-citizen with just a passport and proof of address, no tax number required. Online banks like Chime, Ally, and Charles Schwab sometimes have simpler processes because they don't require in-person verification, though they still need to verify your identity remotely.
Smaller regional and community banks are less predictable. Some welcome non-citizens; others have policies against it. Your best move is to call the bank's main line and ask directly: "Can I open a checking account if I'm a non-citizen with a valid visa and passport but no Social Security number?" A yes or no answer will save you a wasted trip.
How immigration status affects your options
Your specific immigration status matters less than your ability to prove your identity. A person on an H-1B work visa, a student visa, a tourist visa, or a green card can all open accounts at the same banks. Someone without any visa or legal status will face much harder barriers, because banks cannot verify their identity through immigration databases and may refuse out of caution.
If you are in the United States on a visa, bring your passport and the visa itself. If you have a work permit (Employment Authorization Document, or EAD), bring that. If you have a green card, bring it—you'll have the easiest time. If you are undocumented, some banks in California, Illinois, New York, and Oregon may still open an account if you have a valid passport and proof of address, because those states require it. In other states, your options are much narrower, and you may need to use a credit union or an online bank that has more flexible verification methods.
Getting an ITIN if you don't have an SSN
An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS for tax purposes. You can get one even if you're not authorized to work in the United States. To apply, fill out Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) and mail it to the IRS with supporting documents that prove your identity and foreign status.
Acceptable documents include your passport, visa, birth certificate, or driver's license from your home country. The IRS typically processes W-7 applications in four to six weeks if you mail them, or faster if you apply in person at an IRS office or through a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA). Many tax preparation services and community organizations offer CAA services for free or low cost.
Once you have an ITIN, most banks will treat it the same way they treat an SSN for account-opening purposes. Some banks may still ask why you have an ITIN instead of an SSN, but they cannot refuse you solely because of it.
What happens if a bank refuses you
If a bank refuses to open an account, ask why. The answer matters. If they say "We don't open accounts for non-citizens," that is a policy choice, and you should try a different bank. If they say "We need a Social Security number or ITIN and you don't have either," you know to get an ITIN first. If they say "We can't verify your identity," ask what documents would help—sometimes a notarized letter from your employer or a second form of ID will work.
If you live in California, Illinois, New York, or Oregon and a bank refuses you based on your immigration status alone, you may have grounds to file a complaint with your state's banking regulator or attorney general's office. Those states have laws requiring banks to accept certain forms of ID from non-citizens. In other states, banks have more discretion, and a refusal is legal as long as it's not based on discrimination (race, national origin, etc.).
If you're refused by traditional banks, try a credit union or an online bank next. If those also refuse, a prepaid card or a money services business (like Western Union or MoneyGram) can hold funds, though they charge fees and don't offer the same protections as a bank account.
How to protect yourself once your account is open
Once you have an account, the same fraud protections apply to you as to any other customer. Your deposits are insured up to $250,000 per account type at FDIC-insured banks. If someone steals your debit card or hacks your online login, you have the right to dispute unauthorized transactions, and the bank must investigate within a set timeframe.
Keep your account information private, use a strong password for online banking, and enable two-factor authentication if the bank offers it. If you send money internationally, use your bank's wire transfer service rather than a money services business—it's safer and often cheaper. If you need to prove your account exists (for a visa application, a loan, or a job), ask your bank for a statement or a letter confirming your account in good standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account?
No. You can use an ITIN, a passport number, or a visa number instead, depending on the bank and your state. If you don't have any of these, you can get an ITIN from the IRS by filing Form W-7, which takes four to six weeks by mail.
Can I open a bank account if I'm on a tourist visa?
Yes. Bring your passport, visa, and proof of address. Some banks may ask why you're opening an account or how long you plan to stay, but they cannot refuse you solely because you're a tourist. If one bank refuses, try another.
What if I don't have a proof of address?
A utility bill or lease is standard, but a letter from your employer, a bank statement from another country, or mail from a government agency can work. Ask the bank what they will accept before you apply. If you're staying with someone else, a notarized letter from the homeowner stating your address may be accepted.
Can I open an account online if I'm a non-citizen?
Some online banks will, but most require remote identity verification using your passport or visa. They may ask you to upload photos of your documents or answer security questions. Call the bank first to confirm they work with non-citizens, because policies vary widely.
What if my bank closes my account after I open it?
Banks can close accounts for cause (fraud, money laundering, violation of terms), but they must give you notice and time to withdraw your funds. If your account is closed and you believe it was due to discrimination based on immigration status, you can file a complaint with the FDIC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or your state's banking regulator.