How Nonresident Aliens Can Open a U.S. Bank Account

Yes, nonresident aliens can open a bank account in the United States, but the process is more complicated than it is for citizens or permanent residents

Most banks will open a checking or savings account for a nonresident alien, but you will need to provide more documentation than a U.S. resident does. The main barrier is not policy—it is paperwork. Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and determine your tax residency status, which means you cannot simply walk in with a passport and leave with an account number.

The specific documents you need and the willingness of individual banks to work with nonresident aliens varies. Some large national banks have processes in place for this. Others, particularly smaller regional banks and credit unions, may decline or require you to visit a branch in person. Your visa status, country of origin, and the type of account you want all affect what you will need to bring and how long the process takes.

Key Takeaways

• You will need a valid passport, proof of a U.S. address (even a temporary one), and an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or your country's tax ID to open most accounts.
• Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo have established procedures for nonresident aliens; smaller banks and credit unions may not.
• Some banks require you to open the account in person at a physical branch, while others allow online opening if you can verify your identity through video or document upload.
• You may be asked to provide a letter from your employer, school, or visa sponsor explaining your presence in the United States.
• The account opening process typically takes one to three weeks once you submit all required documents, though some banks complete it faster.

What documents you will need to bring

Start with a valid passport—this is non-negotiable. Banks use it to verify your identity and check your name against sanctions lists. If your passport is expired, most banks will not accept it, so renew it before you attempt to open an account.

You will also need proof of a U.S. address. This can be a lease, a utility bill, a letter from your employer or school, or even a temporary address if you are staying with a friend or in a hotel. The address does not have to be permanent, but it must be verifiable. If you do not yet have a U.S. address, some banks will accept a foreign address temporarily, though this complicates the process.

Third, you need a tax identification number. If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), bring that. If you do not have one yet, you can apply for an ITIN through the IRS using Form W-7, but this takes several weeks. Some banks will open an account without an ITIN if you provide your country's national tax ID number instead, though this is less common. Ask the bank before you visit whether they accept foreign tax IDs.

Finally, bring documentation of your visa status or reason for being in the United States. This might be your visa stamp, an I-94 arrival/departure record, an I-20 form if you are a student, an employment authorization document (EAD), or a letter from your employer or school confirming your status. Banks use this to determine whether you are a nonresident alien for tax purposes.

Which banks will work with nonresident aliens

Large national banks are your best bet. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all have procedures in place for nonresident alien accounts and handle them regularly. These banks have compliance teams trained to navigate the tax and identity verification requirements, and they are accustomed to working with people who do not yet have a Social Security Number.

Online banks and fintech companies are less predictable. Some, like Wise (formerly TransferWise), are designed specifically for international customers and make the process straightforward. Others, like Chime or SoFi, may decline nonresident aliens or require additional steps. Check the bank's website or call their customer service line before you spend time gathering documents.

Credit unions and smaller regional banks often decline nonresident aliens outright, or they require you to open the account in person at a branch and may ask for additional documentation beyond what national banks require. If you are in a college town or a city with a large immigrant population, local banks may be more experienced with this process.

If you are a student, your university may have a relationship with a specific bank or credit union that streamlines the process for international students. Check with your school's international student office before you approach a bank on your own.

Online versus in-person account opening

Some banks allow you to open an account online by uploading photos of your documents and completing a video identity verification call. This is faster and more convenient, but it requires that the bank's system recognizes your passport and can verify your identity remotely. Chase and Bank of America both offer this option for some nonresident aliens, though availability depends on your country of origin and visa status.

Other banks require you to visit a branch in person. This is more time-consuming, but it gives the bank employee a chance to ask follow-up questions and verify your documents directly. If you are opening an account in person, call the branch ahead of time and ask to speak with someone in the new accounts department. Tell them you are a nonresident alien and ask what documents they need. This prevents you from showing up unprepared.

A few banks offer a hybrid approach: you start online, but then you are asked to visit a branch or complete a video call to finish the process. Ask the bank which route applies to you before you begin.

How long the process takes

If you open the account online and all your documents are in order, you may have an account number within one to three business days. The bank will verify your identity, run background checks, and confirm your tax status during this time.

If you open the account in person, you may walk out with a debit card and account number the same day, though the account may not be fully active for a few days while the bank completes its verification process in the background.

If the bank needs to contact your employer, school, or visa sponsor to verify your status, or if there are any questions about your documents, the process can stretch to two or three weeks. Some banks also place a hold on the account for a few days after opening to allow time for final verification.

Account types and limitations

Most banks will open a basic checking or savings account for a nonresident alien without issue. You will be able to deposit money, withdraw it, and use a debit card just like any other customer.

Some services may be restricted. For example, you may not be able to open a credit card account as a nonresident alien without a Social Security Number or a significant history in the U.S. financial system. You may also face limits on wire transfers or international transactions, depending on the bank's policies and anti-money-laundering regulations.

Ask the bank what services are available to you before you open the account. If you need to send money internationally, ask whether the bank offers wire transfers and what the fees are. If you need a credit card, ask whether you can open one now or whether you will need to wait until you have a Social Security Number or permanent residency.

What to do if a bank declines you

If a bank says no, ask why. The reason matters. If they say they do not work with nonresident aliens, move to a different bank—this is a policy choice, not a legal requirement. If they say your documents are incomplete, ask specifically what is missing and whether you can provide it. If they say they cannot verify your identity, ask whether a video call or in-person visit would help.

If you do not have an ITIN and the bank requires one, you have two options: apply for an ITIN through the IRS (which takes several weeks), or find a bank that accepts your country's tax ID number instead. If you do not have a U.S. address yet, ask whether the bank will accept a temporary address or a foreign address while you are getting settled.

If you are a student or employee, contact your school or employer's HR department and ask whether they have a relationship with a specific bank. Many institutions have partnerships that make the process easier for international people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Security Number to open a bank account as a nonresident alien?

No. You can open an account with an ITIN, a foreign tax ID, or in some cases with neither—though the bank will still need to verify your identity and tax status. A Social Security Number makes the process simpler, but it is not required.

Can I open a bank account if I do not have a U.S. address yet?

Some banks will accept a temporary address or even a foreign address, though this complicates verification. If you are arriving soon, ask the bank whether you can provide an address once you have one, or whether they will accept a hotel address or a friend's address temporarily.

What if my visa is about to expire?

Banks care about your current status, not your future status. If your visa is valid now, most banks will open an account. If your visa has already expired, you will have a harder time, because the bank cannot verify that you are legally in the country. Renew your visa or status before you open the account if possible.

Can I open a joint account with someone who is a U.S. citizen?

Yes, and this sometimes makes the process easier. The U.S. citizen co-owner can help verify your identity and address, and some banks are more willing to open joint accounts for nonresident aliens than individual accounts. Ask the bank whether a joint account is an option.

Will opening a bank account affect my visa status or taxes?

Opening a bank account itself does not affect your visa status. However, the income you deposit into the account may affect your tax obligations. As a nonresident alien, you may owe U.S. taxes on certain types of income. Consult a tax professional or your country's tax authority to understand your obligations before you open the account.