Non-US residents can open a bank account in the United States, but the process is slower and requires more documentation than it is for citizens or permanent residents

Most banks will open an account for a non-US resident if you have a valid passport, a US address (even a temporary one), and proof of income or employment. Some banks ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security Number. The catch: you will need to visit a branch in person — no online-only banks accept non-residents — and the approval can take two to four weeks instead of the usual few days.

The real barrier is not the bank's rules but the documentation you can provide. Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and your source of funds. If you cannot produce a US tax ID, a US address, or proof of US employment, many banks will turn you away. Some will not. The banks most likely to say yes are those with international operations or branches in your home country.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a bank branch in person; no online-only banks will open an account for a non-resident without a US address and tax ID.
  • A valid passport, a US address, and an ITIN or Social Security Number are the minimum documents most banks require.
  • Banks with international operations — including HSBC, Citibank, and Bank of America — are more likely to open accounts for non-residents than regional or community banks.
  • The approval process takes two to four weeks, and some banks will freeze your account if they cannot verify your identity within that window.
  • If you do not have a US address yet, a temporary address (hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's address with written permission) usually works for opening, but you must update it within 30 days of moving.

What documents you need to bring to the bank

Start with a valid passport. This is the only form of government-issued ID most banks will accept from a non-resident. A driver's license from your home country may work as a secondary form of ID, but the passport is what the bank will use to verify your identity against federal databases.

Next, you need proof of a US address. This can be a lease, a utility bill, a mortgage statement, or even a letter from someone who lives in the US confirming you are staying with them. If you are staying temporarily, a hotel or Airbnb confirmation works. The address does not have to be permanent — banks know non-residents move — but you must have one at the time you open the account.

Third, you need a tax ID. If you have a Social Security Number, bring it. If not, you will need an ITIN, which the IRS issues to non-residents who earn income in the US or file taxes here. Getting an ITIN takes four to six weeks through the IRS, so if you do not have one yet, apply before you visit the bank. Some banks will open an account without an ITIN if you have a passport and a US address, but most will not.

Finally, bring proof of income or employment. This can be a job offer letter, a pay stub, a bank statement showing regular deposits, or a letter from your employer. If you are self-employed or a student, bring documentation of your source of funds — a business license, university enrollment letter, or proof of savings.

Which banks are most likely to open accounts for non-residents

Large banks with international operations are your best bet. HSBC, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all have experience with non-resident accounts and maintain branches in many countries. They have compliance teams trained to handle the extra documentation and verification steps. Approval still takes two to four weeks, but they rarely reject non-residents outright.

Regional and community banks vary widely. Some will open an account for a non-resident with a passport and US address; others have a blanket policy against it. Call ahead and ask to speak with a new accounts representative. Do not walk into a branch without confirming first — you will waste time if the bank does not serve non-residents.

Online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Chime, Capital One 360) do not open accounts for non-residents, even if you have a US address and tax ID. They require a Social Security Number or ITIN and a US mailing address, but they also use automated verification systems that flag non-resident accounts as high-risk. You must open an account in person at a physical branch.

How the verification process works and why it takes time

When you open the account, the bank will run your passport and address through federal databases to confirm your identity. This is called Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, and it is required by law. For US citizens and residents, this takes minutes because the data matches quickly. For non-residents, the bank may not find you in US databases, so they move to manual review.

During manual review, a compliance officer will examine your documents, cross-check your address, and verify your income source. They may contact your employer or request additional documentation. This is where the two to four week timeline comes from. Some banks will freeze your account during this period — you can deposit money, but you cannot withdraw until verification is complete.

If the bank cannot verify your identity within 30 days, they may close the account and return your deposits. This is rare, but it happens. To avoid it, respond to any requests for additional documentation immediately and keep your contact information current.

Getting an ITIN if you do not have a Social Security Number

An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to non-residents who need to file taxes or open a bank account in the US. You apply for one by submitting Form W-7 to the IRS, either by mail or in person at an IRS office. The process takes four to six weeks by mail, or one to two weeks if you apply in person with your passport.

You do not need to have US income to get an ITIN. The IRS will issue one if you are a non-resident opening a bank account, even if you have no US employment. However, you will need to file a US tax return (even if you owe nothing) to keep the ITIN active. If you do not file for three consecutive years, the IRS will deactivate it.

Some banks will open an account while your ITIN application is pending. Ask the bank if they will accept a receipt from the IRS showing you have applied. If they will, you can open the account and update your tax ID once the ITIN arrives. This can save you two to four weeks.

What happens after your account is open

Once your account is verified and active, you can use it like any other US bank account. You can deposit checks, transfer money, set up direct deposit, and pay bills. However, some banks impose restrictions on non-resident accounts: limits on the number of transfers per month, higher minimum balances, or fees for international wire transfers.

If you move or your address changes, update it with the bank within 30 days. Failure to do so can trigger a compliance review, and the bank may freeze or close your account. Keep your contact information current and respond to any mail the bank sends you.

If you leave the US and no longer have a US address, most banks will close your account. Some will allow you to keep it open if you maintain a minimum balance and update your address to a US mailing address (like a mail forwarding service). Ask your bank about their policy before you leave.

Alternatives if a US bank will not open an account for you

If you cannot open a traditional bank account, consider a money transfer service like Wise, OFX, or Remitly. These services do not require a US address or tax ID, and they allow non-residents to send and receive money in the US. They are not banks — you cannot get a debit card or write checks — but they work for receiving paychecks or paying bills.

Another option is to open an account with a bank in your home country that has a US branch or partnership. HSBC, for example, allows you to open an account in your home country and then link it to a US account once you arrive. This can be faster than opening a US account from scratch.

If you are in the US on a visa, check whether your visa type allows you to open a bank account. Some visa categories (like H-1B or L-1) are treated more favorably by banks than others. Your employer or visa sponsor may also have a list of banks that work with visa holders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a bank account online if I am a non-resident?

No. Online-only banks require a Social Security Number or ITIN and use automated verification that flags non-resident accounts. You must visit a physical branch in person. Large banks with international operations are most likely to accept you.

What if I do not have a US address yet?

Use a temporary address: a hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's address with written permission. You must update it to a permanent address within 30 days of moving. Some banks will not open an account without any US address, so confirm with the bank first.

How long does it take to get an ITIN?

Four to six weeks by mail, or one to two weeks if you apply in person at an IRS office with your passport. Some banks will open an account while your application is pending if you show them the IRS receipt. You must file a US tax return every year to keep your ITIN active.

Will the bank freeze my account during verification?

Possibly. Many banks freeze non-resident accounts during the manual review process — you can deposit but not withdraw. This usually lasts two to four weeks. If the bank cannot verify your identity within 30 days, they may close the account and return your deposits.

What happens to my account if I leave the US?

Most banks will close your account if you no longer have a US address. Some allow you to keep it open if you maintain a minimum balance and update your address to a US mail forwarding service. Ask your bank about their policy before you leave the country.