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A bank account can help set a solid foundation for your financial life. Fortunately, a non-U.S. citizen can open a bank account in the U.S. However, they may need to come up with different identification than U.S. citizens who are trying to open a bank account. Under the USA PATRIOT Act, banks, credit unions and some other financial institutions must check the identity of anyone who wants to open a bank account. Federal lawmakers imposed that requirement following Sept. 11, 2001 to combat the funding of terrorist activities. Foreign terrorists who carried out the 9/11 attacks used U.S. bank accounts to fund their mission. When you apply to open a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union in the U.S., the financial institution will need to verify your name, date of birth, address and ID number. If you’re a non-U.S. citizen, ID requirements may not be identical to those for a U.S. citizen, though. Keep in mind that a financial institution may let a non-U.S. citizen open an account, but not all banks extend that ability to a non-resident alien. For tax purposes, the IRS defines an alien as someone who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. A non-resident alien has not passed the green card test or the “substantial presence” test. Requirements for Opening a Bank AccountA bank or credit union’s general requirements to open an account may include:
Requirements may vary depending on the state or financial institution. Whether you’re a U.S. citizen or non-U.S. citizen, you typically must be at least 18 years old to set up a checking or savings account and typically must have a U.S. address. It also is possible for an undocumented immigrant—a foreign-born person who has no legal right to be or remain in the U.S.—to open a bank account in the U.S. Key requirements include having an ITIN and a U.S. address. In most cases, a non-U.S. citizen cannot open an account online. Instead, you’d need to visit a branch for a bank or credit union to open an account. Santander Bank, for example, accepts online applications only from U.S. residents or resident aliens who have a Social Security number or ITIN. Alternatives for IdentificationBanks and credit unions typically accept alternative forms of ID for non-U.S. residents. For instance, if you don’t have a Social Security number, you may be able to obtain an ITIN that can be used to open an account. The Social Security Administration issues nine-digit Social Security numbers, while the IRS issues nine-digit individual ITINs. ITINs are available only to certain non-resident and resident aliens, their spouses and their dependents who can’t get a Social Security number. Some financial institutions won’t accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number. Requirements for other types of ID from non-U.S. citizens can vary among banks and credit unions. Bank of America, for example, spells out these identification requirements. For a primary ID, Bank of America wants one of the following:
For a secondary ID, Bank of America asks for one of the following:
Some banks or credit unions may accept an alien registration number card from a non-U.S. citizen who’s trying to open an account. The seven- to nine-digit alien registration number can be found on various documents, such as a green card, from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. How To Apply for an ITINHere are the steps for getting an ITIN:
Banks and Credit Unions That Accept Alternative IDsMany large banks in the U.S. accept alternative IDs from a non-U.S. citizen trying to open an account. These include Bank of America, Chase, TD Bank, US Bank and Wells Fargo. Some credit unions also accept alternative forms of ID. The more than 100 banks and credit unions affiliated with the BankOn platform, which helps low- to moderate-income people set up bank accounts, also may accept alternative IDs. Alternative Accounts for Non-U.S. CitizensIf you’re a non-U.S. citizen who can’t qualify for an account at a U.S. bank or credit union, you might consider these options:
Benefits of Opening a Bank AccountOpening a bank account comes with a number of benefits. These may include:
Bottom LineWhile it may require a bit more time and effort to open a U.S. bank account as a non-U.S. citizen, the benefits of doing so outweigh the steps required. It also will pay to shop around, as different banks have different practices and requirements for opening a first U.S. bank account. Which bank does not require SSN?Several US banks don't require SSN to open a bank account. Some of these are Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. These banks will, in most cases, require an ITIN to open an account instead.
Can an undocumented person open a bank account in the US?Yes, it's possible to open a bank account as an undocumented immigrant or without having a Social Security number. You'll need to provide other forms of proof of ID, such as a passport, driver's license, consular ID or birth certificate.
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