Most US banks will not open an account for you as a tourist, but some options exist

A standard checking or savings account at a major US bank requires a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a US address, and proof of identity. As a tourist, you typically have none of these. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo will turn you away at the branch door if you cannot produce an SSN and a US residential address.

Some banks do offer accounts to non-residents and tourists, but they come with restrictions: limited branch access, higher fees, lower deposit limits, or accounts that close automatically when your visa expires. A few online banks and international money transfer services provide workarounds if you need to move money into the US or hold funds temporarily.

The path forward depends on why you need the account. If you are here for a few weeks and just need to receive money or pay bills, a wire transfer or digital wallet may be faster and cheaper than opening an account. If you are staying longer or planning to return repeatedly, a few banks have specific products for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Major US banks require a Social Security number and US address; most will not open accounts for tourists without both.
  • Some banks offer non-resident accounts, but they often charge monthly fees, limit deposits, or close automatically when your visa ends.
  • Online banks and international transfer services like Wise or OFX may be cheaper and faster if you only need to receive or send money temporarily.
  • If you are staying in the US long enough to get an ITIN or SSN, that opens access to standard accounts with better terms.
  • Bring your passport, visa, and proof of your US address (hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a letter from someone you are staying with) to any bank branch.

Banks that accept tourists without a Social Security number

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is not a bank but a money transfer platform that lets you open a multi-currency account with a passport alone. You can receive money from abroad, hold it in USD, and transfer it to a US bank account later. There is no monthly fee, but you pay a small percentage on currency conversion. This works well if you need to receive paychecks or payments from outside the US.

OFX and Remitly operate similarly—they are transfer services, not banks, so they do not offer checking or savings accounts. They let you receive international money transfers and hold USD temporarily, but you cannot write checks or use a debit card the way you would with a bank account.

Some credit unions are more flexible than major banks. A few will open accounts for tourists if you have a passport and a US address (even a temporary one). Call ahead to your local credit union and ask directly; policies vary widely by institution and by state.

HSBC and Citibank have international divisions and may open accounts for non-residents, but fees are high and deposit minimums are steep—often $2,500 or more. Ask at a branch whether they offer a non-resident account; availability depends on your home country and visa status.

What you need to bring to open any account

Bring your passport and visa (or I-94 arrival record if you entered visa-free). Banks use these to verify your identity and confirm you are in the country legally. A photocopy is not enough; bring the originals.

You will also need proof of a US address. A hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or lease agreement works. If you are staying with a friend or family member, ask them to write a letter on their own letterhead stating your name, their address, and the dates you are staying there. Some banks accept this; others do not, so call ahead.

If the bank asks for a Social Security number and you do not have one, ask whether they can use your passport number instead or whether an ITIN is an option. Do not make up a number or use someone else's—this will flag fraud alerts and may result in account closure and a report to federal authorities.

Why an ITIN or SSN makes the process much easier

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to non-citizens who need to file taxes or open bank accounts. You can apply for one at an IRS office or through a tax professional. The process takes four to six weeks. Once you have an ITIN, most banks will open a standard account for you—no special restrictions, no high fees, no automatic closure date.

If you are working in the US on a visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.), your employer will help you get a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration. This is the gold standard for US banking and opens access to every account, credit card, and loan product available.

Getting an ITIN or SSN takes time, so plan ahead if you know you will need a bank account. If you are only in the country for a few weeks, it is usually not worth the wait.

Fees and restrictions on non-resident accounts

Non-resident accounts often charge a monthly maintenance fee of $10 to $25, even if your balance is zero. Some banks waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance—often $1,000 to $5,000—but that money is then locked up and not available for everyday use.

Deposit limits are common. A non-resident account might cap deposits at $5,000 per month or $25,000 total. This is a deliberate restriction to limit the bank's exposure to customers who may leave the country and become hard to reach if something goes wrong.

Debit card access may be limited. Some banks will not issue a debit card to a non-resident, or will issue one that only works at ATMs, not at point-of-sale terminals. Check the bank's policy before you open the account.

The account will close automatically when your visa expires or when the bank detects that you have left the country. You will receive notice and a deadline to withdraw your funds, usually 30 to 90 days. After that, unclaimed money goes into the bank's unclaimed property fund, and you will have to file a claim to get it back.

Alternatives if a bank account is not practical

If opening an account is too slow or too expensive, consider a prepaid debit card. You can buy one at a pharmacy or convenience store with cash, load money onto it online, and use it anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. No bank account, no credit check, no SSN required. The downside: fees are higher than a bank account, and you cannot receive direct deposits or wire transfers the way you can with a real account.

Digital wallets like PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay let you send and receive money from a smartphone. You can link them to a credit card or bank account from your home country, or load them with a prepaid card. They work for online purchases and some in-person payments, but not everywhere.

If you need to receive money from an employer or client, ask them to use a wire transfer to your home country bank account instead. The money arrives in one to three business days and costs less than opening a temporary US account. Alternatively, ask them to use Wise or Remitly, which can send money to your home country at a lower cost than a traditional wire.

What happens if you try to open an account with false information

Do not use someone else's Social Security number, make up a number, or provide a false address. Banks run identity verification checks and cross-reference SSNs with Social Security Administration records. A mismatch triggers a fraud alert, and the bank will close the account immediately.

Providing false information to a bank is a federal crime. You can face criminal charges, fines, and deportation if you are not a US citizen. Banks are required to report suspicious activity to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and immigration authorities monitor these reports.

If you made a mistake on your application—a typo in your address or a wrong digit in your passport number—contact the bank immediately and ask to correct it. Honest mistakes are usually resolved quickly. Intentional fraud is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my hotel address as my US address when opening an account?

Yes, most banks accept a hotel confirmation or receipt as proof of address. Bring the confirmation email or printed receipt showing your name, the hotel name and address, and your check-in and check-out dates. Some banks may call the hotel to verify, so make sure the dates match your actual stay.

What if I do not have a visa—I came to the US visa-free?

Bring your passport and your I-94 arrival record (the white card you received when you entered the country). This proves you are in the US legally. If you lost your I-94, you can print a replacement from the CBP website using your passport number and date of birth.

Can I open an account online without going to a branch?

Most online banks require an SSN or ITIN to open an account, even if you never visit a branch. Wise and Remitly are exceptions—they let you open accounts online with a passport alone. Call or email any bank you are considering to ask whether they accept non-residents before you start the application.

Will the bank close my account when I leave the US?

Yes, most banks will close non-resident accounts when your visa expires or when they detect that you have left the country. You will receive written notice and 30 to 90 days to withdraw your money. After that, any remaining balance goes into the state's unclaimed property fund, and you will have to file a claim to recover it.

Is it cheaper to use a money transfer service or open a bank account?

If you are only staying a few weeks and need to receive one or two payments, a money transfer service like Wise is usually cheaper. Bank accounts have monthly fees that add up quickly for short stays. If you are staying longer than three months, a bank account may be cheaper in the long run, especially if you can find one with no monthly fee.