How non-US citizens can open a bank account

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For the vast majority of consumers, a bank account is one of the basic tools for financial security. But accessing something as essential as a bank account can be a challenge when you don’t have a Social Security number.

Without a bank account, non-U.S. citizens face a range of serious difficulties in managing their finances, including figuring out how to keep their money safe and how to avoid high fees for check-cashing services.

Fortunately, it is possible for non-U.S. citizens to open a checking account or savings account to prevent these issues, though it involves a bit more legwork and documentation than for U.S. citizens.

Required documents to open a U.S. bank account

To open an account, a bank or credit union needs to know it’s really you. It’s part of the U.S. government’s customer identification program, which sets the standards for how financial institutions should confirm their customers’ identities.

Verifying your identity will be different depending on the bank or credit union, but it typically involves providing the following:

Many consumers are accustomed to doing tasks online, including opening a bank account, but non-U.S. citizens will likely find that’s not possible.

“Online account opening systems do not work well with individuals without [a Social Security number], due to the nature of identifying questions,” says Rebecca Morris Hoeft, CEO and founder of St. Paul, Minnesota-based Morris Hoeft Group.

As such, non-U.S. citizens will likely need to go to a branch to open a bank account.

Alternative identification options

For a nonresident or noncitizen without a Social Security number, there are other options. Often, you may need to provide one or more of the following to verify your identity, including:

• A passport number and country of issuance
• An Alien Registration Number
• Visa or other U.S. immigration documents
• Driver’s license with photo
• School ID with photo
• U.S. Employment Authorization Card with photo

Non-U.S. citizens can apply for an ITIN, which is one of the most commonly used alternative forms of identification.

How to get an ITIN

The IRS provides an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for people who need a U.S. taxpayer ID but don’t have, or can’t get, a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration.

This nine-digit number helps people meet their U.S. tax obligations and allow efficient recording of tax returns and payments for those who aren’t eligible for a Social Security number. An ITIN is provided regardless of a person’s immigration status, as U.S. tax filing or reporting might be necessary for both residents and nonresidents.

An ITIN can be obtained by applying through the IRS. With one of these numbers, noncitizens are able to file their taxes. An ITIN doesn’t authorize someone to work in the U.S. and is used solely for tax reporting purposes. Getting an ITIN requires completion of Form W-7.

Mail the completed Form W-7 to the IRS, along with proof of identity and foreign status documents to:

If you prefer not to mail the forms, you can take the form to an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent.

The IRS issues ITINs through the mail, but it’s not a speedy process. Approval typically takes about seven weeks or more.

Banks and credit unions that accept alternative IDs

At first glance, many bank websites would seem to indicate that alternative IDs are not accepted. Though many of the biggest banks list a Social Security number as a requirement on their websites, it may only be necessary for opening an account online.

In some cases, banks will assist if you are missing a piece of information. Appointments can be scheduled with many big banks that accept an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number online, including:

Some credit unions also accept alternative IDs. DC Credit Union, in Washington, for example, offers a SAFE Checking Account, specifically for non-U.S. citizens. Because the account earns no interest, it doesn’t require a tax ID number — only a foreign ID.

Another option for non-U.S. citizens to consider is a Bank On account, offered as part of the banking industry’s push to welcome unbanked customers. In addition to having low fees and no overdraft fees, one of the standards Bank On lists as “strongly recommended” is that participating banks and credit unions accept alternative IDs.

But the acceptance of an ITIN or foreign ID to open an account isn’t the only point that matters for non-U.S. citizens. It’s also important to compare fees and minimum balance requirements attached to those accounts. Read Bankrate’s guide to avoiding bank fees to avoid paying too much money to stash and manage your cash.

The benefits of opening a bank account

Filling out forms, going to an agent’s office and waiting for nearly two months may sound like a hassle, but the benefits of a bank account outweigh those troubles.

Some ways that bank accounts help consumers manage their money include:

• Lower fees: Without a checking account, cashing checks has to be done through check-cashing services or prepaid debit cards, which often charge high fees.
• Extra protection: Storing money in a bank account is much safer than keeping it in a drawer. If a bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), or a credit union is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), that means they offer federal deposit insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
• Access to direct deposit: A checking account provides a convenient way to receive payments.
• Saving for the future: With a high-yield savings account, consumers can practice good habits for building up their wealth over time and staying prepared for emergencies. Savings accounts usually only allow for six withdrawals each month under Regulation D (in April 2020, the Federal Reserve removed the limit to provide consumers increased access to funds, but many banks today still enforce Reg D).
• Credit-building opportunities: Establishing a good banking history can provide a gateway to larger life goals such as buying a car or owning a home.

Bottom line

The banking industry’s traditional identification requirements may seem like a barrier to non-U.S. citizens when trying to open a bank account, but numerous banks and credit unions accept alternative forms of ID to make it easier. Though obtaining an ITIN does mean some extra work, the ability to open a checking account and savings account — and in some cases, apply for a home loan — can make a meaningful difference in achieving financial security.

–Freelance writer David McMillin contributed to a previous version of this article.