How to open a US bank account as a non-resident non-citizen in 2021? Check our guide below on banking in the US even if you live abroad
Do you want to open a US bank but you a non-resident and non-citizen of the United States? This guide will explore some options based on my personal experience on opening an account in the USA.
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Banking in the USA as a Non-Resident / Non-Citizen
Before we start, it is important to know that banking regulations change constantly. The information below is just based on my experience. I strongly suggest you getting in touch with the bank and the branch you are planning to open the account before visiting it.
There are many reasons why one may want to open a bank account in the United States as a non-resident and non-citizen. Among many other examples, we can mention a few, such as if you visit the US often and you want to reduce bank and card fees when spending in the country. If you work online and often receive payments from US companies, this might be also the case. Finally you may want to buy real estate or do other types of investments in the country.
But, opening a bank account in the United States is not the most simple procedure. The first problem most foreigners encounter is lacking an SSN. Most banks will require a Social Security Number to open a bank account in the US. Non-residents and non-citizens in most case do not have an SSN and this limits access to US banking retail services.
So, what to do if you don’t have an SSN and still want to open a bank account in the US? Let’s explore the options.
Is it possible to open a US bank account as a non-resident?
The good news is that it is possible to open a US bank account as a non-resident and non-citizen. However, just some banks accept this type of customers, and the requirements may even change from state to state, or even between branches.
Even if you do not have the access to the banking market on the same terms as an US citizen, you can still get a personal or corporate bank account in the US as a non-citizen. Let’s explore the options for both personal and corporate bank accounts.
How to open an US bank account with SSN?
It is still possible to open an US bank account without an SSN. But, just a few banks will accept you. You can either visit a bank in the US (and ideally pre-arrange a meeting at a branch to make sure they accept customers with no SSN). Your, you can use the EMI solution (instructions below).
Personal Bank Account in the US as a Non-Citizen and Non-Resident
Essentially if you want to open a personal bank account in the US as a non-citizen, you will have a few options. The requirements will change from bank to bank, from state to state and even from branch to branch. Therefore, if you are coming to the US and your main purpose is getting a personal bank account, check your options before hand.
As of 2021, at least two banks will require you to open a bank account as a non-resident and non-citizen. TD Bank and Bank of America allow you to do it, however, it will depend on the state and on the branch you will apply.
According to TD Bank support all you need to do is bring your passport to a branch. However, after visiting two branches in the State of New York, the requirements also included an utility bill with your name to an US address. I was informed that in New Jersey there is no such requirement, however double check with the branch you plan to visit.
The other option is Bank of America. Depending on the branch and state, it is possible to open a US Bank Account with just your passport and a US address. You don’t need to show any utility bill on your name, just be able to receive mail in that physical address. Citibank and Wells Fargo also offers solutions for non residents.
Some banks may also require a proof of address and / or a debit card from your country of origin.
Currently from my research JPMorgan does not accept non resident non citizen retail clients.
It is important to stress that for opening a bank account in the US it is required to come personally to a branch in virtually all cases.
Corporate Bank Account in the US as a Non-Resident
Another option is to open a company in the United States and get a corporate bank account. This option is especially convenient for those who do business and get online payments with companies in the USA.
The price is incredibly affordable. When you incorporate an US company, it will have an EIN (which is the SSN for companies, roughly speaking). With the EIN, your options for banking are more varied. Usually he companies offering incorporation services for foreigners can also provide some guidance on how to open a corporate bank account.
Getting an ITIN
If you are an non-resident and non-citizen of the USA, you can apply for an ITIN. The ITIN is a processing number issued by the IRS for individuals who are ineligible for an SSN (which is the case of most non-resident non-citizens). With an ITIN some banks will allow you to open a bank account, using the ITIN instead of the SSN.
TransferWise Borderless Account
The TransferWise Borderless Account is another option to get an US account number without going to the US physically. It is in my opinion, the best option if you are a physical person or running a small online business and want to get payments worldwide.
The Transferwise Borderless Account also provides you with UK, European and Australian bank details, so it is definitely a great option if you work online, or just send and receive money from many countries.
Click here check TransferWise (now Wise) website or click here to open a TransferWise borderless account
Payoneer Alternative
In some cases, you will not need a US bank account, and getting a Payoneer card will be enough for your needs. Through Payoneer, you will get an USD debit card and many onlne companies sent direct payments to Payoneer. This way you can keep your funds in USD, and pay/withdraw using your Payoneer card direcly. However, it doesn’t have a number of functions a US bank account has.
Click here to get your Payoneer card
As we can see, it is still possible, but not simple to open a bank account in the United States as a non resident in 2021. Make sure you get your documents right, before visiting the bank.
Other Resources for doing Business in the US
If you are traveling to USA any time soon you may want to check some of our guides to the country. Check where to stay in Chicago or the best places to visit in Vermont. For those looking for the cheapest flights available, check Jetradar.
If you are looking for banking internationally check our guides on how to open an UK bank account or an European bank account for non residents.
Do you have a US bank account or are you planning to open one? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comment box below.
is its posible to open a us acount online from nigeria
If you want to open an account in a real bank, you must go to a bank branch in the United States physically. For Nigerian users I would recommend an EMI like Payoneer.
I have a company registered in FL. My Partner is states resident. Is there any way I can open an account for myself in USA? We have our corporate account in Regions Bank. But it is still under her name.
Thanks,
Do you want a personal or corporate account for yourself?
I wish to invest in property in the USA and need a bank account there. Can I open an account in an American bank while sitting in London?
If it is a personal account the answer is no in almost all cases. You will need to visit a branch in the US. But you can invest in the US property market through REITs or real estate crowdfunding platforms.
Can I to buy equity as a non resident?
if you mean buy stock yes. But for this you don’t even need a US bank account. You need an account in a broker that offers US stocks.
Is its posible to open a us acount online from india
only on an EMI like TransferWise or Payoneer.
I have opened an LLC in florida, USA
Can I open a bank account without travelleing to USA ?
Thanks & Regards,
Vinod
a bank account, it will be very difficult. You can get an account with an EMI like TransferWise.
Can I open a bank account with Transferwire from Cameroon
yes.
It is possible to open an account for a company register en Central America in order to receive payments from a company register en USA -FL
I did not understand you completely. Do you want to open a US bank account for a company incorporated in a country in Central America?
I believe that is what he was saying.
In that case an EMI like TransferWise is also the best option. Open a corporate bank account with TW for your central American company. Get paid on TransferWise and you can withdraw to a local account in your country of origin.
Hi there! What bank would you recommend if I have a Wyoming LLC with an EIN? As the owner, I’m non US resident and I don’t have an SSN – this unfortunately has been a sticking point in the past.
The best solution in this case is to open a TransferWise business account with your EIN.
Hi Jon, How do you get the funds as soon as you receive those in the account?
If you have an US bank account you will have a card, you can withdrawal from the card or make a bank transfer to your bank in your country of residence. For those using TransferWise, you will also get a card (depending on your country of residence). If you live in a country where the card is not available, you can still send the money to a bank account in your country of residence.
Hello Jon,
I am looking to open my LLC in Wyoming & I have couple of questions and the bank account I would get through TransferWise,
1. Would I be able to use this bank account like regular bank account along with option to deposit funds via Paper Checks, Wire or ACH? I mean all regular ways?
2. Would I be able to use TransferWise on our website as a ecommerce tool, send invoice to the customers for payments, I mean as merchant service like PayPal?
Thanks,
1. Yes for everything, except for paper checks.
2. Not directly. You will still need a merchant account with a company like PayPal, Stripe or 2Checkout. Then, you can withdraw the funds from the merchant account to your TransferWise business account.
Hello, I need to open from Argentina a US non resident account , in a Bank with branches ,to take the money cash ,if its necessary. And provide me, a free debit card can you help me?
Regards
In this case you need to go to the US in person to open the account if you want to deposit cash. I can recommend TD Bank.
Hi,
What is the maximum limit per transaction? like Payoneer has a limit of $5500 which a client can pay to you.
What’s the limit for Transferwise?
You can raise your Payoneer limit depending on the size of your business. Mostly, TransferWise has no limits, but it will depend on your account and location. For USD currency accounts, the receiving limit per day is 250K, and for business accounts 3 mil.
I’m a USA citizen residing overseas. I already have a USA checking account with a full bank in CA but want to transfer to an O.L. Banking. They offer more and better benefits. Do I have to prove residence in the USA to open the account? My SS check is deposited into my checking account in CA.
What do yo recommend?
If you have a valid SSN you do not need to have a US address, but this requirement might change from bank to bank. If you want to open an account with a bank that requires an US address you can buy a virtual address that handles mail for you and is not a PO Box.
Hoal quisiera saber que otra alternativa a Mercury Bank existe para abrir una cuenta bancaria online para no residentes de EE.UU pero teniendo un EIN?
para empresas de EE.UU. donde los proprietarios no son residentes la mejor opcion es la cuenta TransferWise Borderless.
Hello I want to open a savings account in the USA. I’m from South Africa but want a USA bank account so I may save money there to visit the USA at some time or for investments in the USA will I be able to open an account.
Yes, but you will need to travel to the USA to open the account.
If you can’t travel you can explore two other alternatives.
The first alternative is to open an account with an EMI like TransferWise. You will be able to save money in US dollars. Once you travel to the USA you can then open a physical bank account there and send the money on TransferWise to the physical bank if you wish.
The second option is opening a brokerage account in a broker accepting international users like Interactive Brokers, you can save money there in US, buy stocks or something more conservative like a bond ETF and then, you can send money from the broker to any account you may open in the future in any country through a wire transfer.
Hello Jon,
I’m a non US alien trying to open a bank account and I do have a SSN because I went to school there. I’m not residing in the US so if TD
Bank requires a proof of address how can I get an account? I do have friends who live in the US that can help me with an address to receive my documentation, is there any branch you recommend that can help me open it without the need of the proof of address? Thanks in advance.
It depends from branch to branch and from state to state. I know people that have successfully opened accounts with TD bank showing a proof of residence from their country of origin (even in Spanish or Portuguese). This was in Florida. You still have to travel there physically to open the account if you don’t have an SSN. If you do have an SSN you might be able to do it online, but I haven’t tried this as mostly I am working with people without SSN.
I am an indian citizen and I own a single member managed LLC in Texas. I will be changing the structure from member managed to manager managed. I will hire a manager however he is not going to be a “member” of the LLC (He is going be a non-member).
Which banks allow a non-member manager to open a business checking account for my LLC? Please advice. Thank you!
Postscript – Chase and Bank of America turned me down. They said the manager must be a member of the LLC. If I would have went ahead with Chase, they would have opened the account however they would have only given me read-only access and my manager would have been given full access to funds.
Hi Prashant,
In your case, if you are unable to come to the US physically, the best option is going for an EMI like Wise or Mercury. I think it will be very hard to open a corporate bank account in a retail bank if you can’t come actually in person. But, with the EMIs like Wise or Payoneer, you will get an ACH number and also a number to receive Wire transfers. This way, even if you are in India you will be able to run your business and receive payments from US clients to your US LLC.
I opened a BOA account 5 years ago in Miami, Florida during my vacation. Since then I only used the account twice, just found out now that they closed my account. The money in the account was reported by BOA as unclaimed property in California where I left my address. My question is, am I able to reopen the account not being in the States? Or will the cancellation of my account affect my future application for a account in the states.
It depends, are you an US citizen, or a foreigner with a green card? If the answer is yes, you will probably be able to open it online (you may still need an US address). If you are not an US citizen, and if you don’t have an SSN, the answer is no.
I am a US citizen living in the Philippines but without a US address. I need a US bank account to have my pension check direct deposited into. I am old and cannot visit the US. Is it possible for me to open a US account with out a US address or visiting there?
Thanks
Dave at [email protected]
In most cases you will need an address. You may get one without an US address if you go to the US and visit a branch. To open it online, in most cases an US address (and your SSN) will be needed. You can get it from a friend or relative, or from one of the many companies providing these type of services. You can receive your direct deposit in a bank account in the Philippines though, you don’t need an US account if that’s the only purpose.