Opening a US Bank Account in USA

desafinado74 on 07/12/2021 - 16:19

Hello everyone,

I am planning to visit the US late next year or 2023, and open a checking or savings account while i am there.

Apart from my passport, what other documents and information do i need to open an account ?
Would it help to have an ITIN ?
As for local addresses, i only have a MyUS address.

And which banks are more receptive to foreigners who are trying to open a bank account ?
I am looking at Citibank. But may consider Capitol One , Wells Fargo, Bank of America etc

Any input from people who have opened a US bank account would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Financial Bank Account

Comments

  • Hybroid on 07/12/2021 - 16:22
    +5

    Really feels you could have searched this way quicker than typing that out.

    First search result: https://www.bossrevolution.com/en-us/blog/us-bank-account-fo…

    Required docs: https://promo.bankofamerica.com/international-banking/profes…

    *A post office box or locally known mail drop location (such as Mail Boxes) is not an acceptable U.S. physical address.

    https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/non-us-citizen-open-b…

    To open a bank account as a non-resident, you will usually need the following documents¹:

    Proof of address with contact information and personal details
    Two forms of ID - Passport and government-issued ID or valid driver's license
    Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

    https://wise.com/us/blog/open-a-us-bank-account-non-resident

    You'll need to provide a physical address in the U.S., date of birth and applicable identification documentation which may include a Social Security Number or ITIN.

    https://online.citi.com/US/ag/banking/checking-account

    Requirements are pretty clear. You need a US address & multiple forms of ID. An ITIN would help considerably as well.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 07/12/2021 - 16:34
    -1

    Looking to become a Supreme reseller? I think that's dead.

  • silenthillrocks on 07/12/2021 - 16:57
    +7

    Wise borderless account

  • Vieira4 on 07/12/2021 - 19:48
    +2

    Why not open a Citibank global currency account from here?

  • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2021 - 20:28
    +1

    I did some research into it a while ago, most require a US Social Security Number or US Residency Status/VISA

  • vodkaman on 07/12/2021 - 20:47

    We got one with BoA in California in 2016. A checking account with 2k USD deposit so we weren't stuck with monthly fees on the account. From memory we didnt need any thing other than a passport and to fill out a few forms. Just went up to banking rep with our requirements.

    We opened one up to hedge USD against the AUD

    • GordonD on 07/12/2021 - 21:13
      +1

      Hedging USD against AUD by opening a US account? You can do that a lot easier than doing that.

      I opened a Mastercard CashPassport platinum debit card right here in Australia. It lets me transfer funds between currencies, hold foreign currencies, and do transactions in the foreign currencies I'm holding rather than in AUD. I had intended it for travelling, but then along came covid and shut down any plans to do that. There's fees to do various things, but no monthly or yearly fees.

    • desafinado74 on 08/12/2021 - 10:40

      That is great ! So, they did not ask for a local address ?

      • idjces on 10/12/2021 - 11:39
        +1

        It is pretty difficult to do without a ITIN. Bank of America were one of the most flexible for foreigners. Iirc, chase said they're more flexible once you have an account with another US bank. You'll have to visit in person, with a passport, something you can use for a local address, a US mobile number, cash to deposit, ideally 2k, if you don't want death by fees.

        There's a thread on whirlpool somewhere regarding the topic. It's a hell of a lot of f***ing around to do. Play store will geoblock you from their app.

        • desafinado74 on 12/12/2021 - 09:17

          Thank you very much for the helpful info. How did you get a local address? Did you use a friend or a relative's home address? Or a mail forwarding address?

          • idjces on 12/12/2021 - 12:06
            +1

            @desafinado74: Can't remember, maybe an airbnb? later changing to a forwarding address

            • desafinado74 on 12/12/2021 - 17:48
              +1

              @idjces: Thanks a lot once again. Much appreciated. I shall give it a try and see what happens when I am over there.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/12/2021 - 15:41
          +2

          I went into Citi personally (Market Street, San Francisco branch). They wanted my Tax File Number to prove Australian Tax Residency (I assume in case they ever set up foreign account reporting with the ATO as well), a US address where I was staying, my Australian address (which is where they post the card and other documentation to), a US phone number, money (obviously) to deposit, and of course a Passport and Driver's License. They did not require an ITIN or SSN.

          Advantage of Citi US account is you can instantly transfer money between a Citibank Plus AU account and a Citi US account.

  • WreckTangle on 08/12/2021 - 21:06
    +1

    US bank insisted on my social security number when I was last there

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