Yes, but the bank decides based on your residency status and documentation

A non-resident can open a U.S. bank account, but not every bank will do it, and the process depends on what kind of non-resident you are. Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity and determine your tax residency status before opening an account. Some banks accept non-residents routinely; others refuse them outright. The deciding factor is usually whether you have a U.S. address, a valid visa or immigration status, and an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).

The easiest path is to open an account in person at a branch while you are physically in the United States. Remote (online-only) accounts are harder to obtain as a non-resident because banks cannot verify your identity in real time and cannot confirm your address. If you are a foreign national living abroad, you will face more restrictions than someone on a valid U.S. visa.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks require proof of identity and U.S. tax identification (ITIN or SSN) before opening an account for a non-resident.
  • Opening an account in person at a U.S. branch is faster and more likely to succeed than applying online from abroad.
  • A U.S. address—even a temporary one—makes approval much more likely; a foreign address often triggers automatic rejection.
  • Some banks specialize in non-resident accounts; others refuse them entirely, so calling ahead to confirm their policy saves time.
  • You will need to report the account to your home country's tax authority if you are a tax resident there, regardless of where the account is held.

What banks need from you before they open an account

Every bank must complete a Customer Identification Program (CIP) check. This means they will ask for a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and your tax identification number. For a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, this is straightforward. For a non-resident, the bank is trying to answer three questions: Are you who you say you are? Do you have a legitimate reason to hold a U.S. account? Are you a U.S. tax resident?

If you have a valid U.S. visa (student visa, work visa, tourist visa), bring the original visa document and your passport. If you do not have a U.S. address yet, some banks will accept a hotel address, a relative's address, or a business address where you work. A foreign address usually stops the process immediately, because the bank cannot verify it and compliance rules make them cautious.

You will also need a tax identification number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you can obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. You do not need to be a U.S. resident to get an ITIN; you can apply by mail using Form W-7 and submitting it with your passport and visa. The ITIN process takes four to six weeks by mail, so plan ahead if you do not already have one.

Opening an account in person versus online

Opening an account at a physical branch while you are in the United States is your best option. You can walk in with your passport, visa, and proof of address, and a banker can verify everything on the spot. Most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) will open an account for a non-resident with a valid visa in one visit. Bring your original documents; banks do not accept photocopies for the initial CIP verification.

Online accounts are much harder. Banks cannot see your documents in person, cannot confirm your address by visiting it, and cannot verify your identity face-to-face. Many online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Chime) reject non-residents automatically because their systems flag foreign addresses. If you try to open an account online from abroad, expect the application to be denied or to receive a request for additional documentation that may take weeks to resolve.

If you are planning to move to the United States, open the account before you arrive or as soon as you land. Do not wait until you are settled; the sooner you have a U.S. address and can visit a branch, the faster the process moves.

Banks that accept non-residents and those that do not

Major national banks vary in their policies. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo generally open accounts for non-residents with a valid visa and a U.S. address. Citibank has a specific program for non-residents and expatriates. Credit unions are often more flexible than large banks because they have fewer compliance restrictions and can make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Some banks refuse non-residents entirely. Ally Bank, for example, requires a U.S. address and will not open accounts for people living abroad. Charles Schwab accepts non-residents but requires an SSN or ITIN and a U.S. address. Before you spend time on an application, call the bank's customer service line and ask directly: "Can I open a checking account as a non-resident with a valid visa?" This takes five minutes and saves you from a rejected application.

If you are a foreign national with no U.S. visa or address, your options narrow significantly. Some international banks with U.S. branches (HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank) offer accounts for non-residents, but they often require a minimum deposit of $10,000 or more and charge higher fees. These accounts are designed for wealthy expatriates and international business owners, not for casual banking.

Getting an ITIN if you do not have a Social Security Number

An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to non-residents who need to file taxes or hold a U.S. bank account. You do not need to be employed in the United States to get one. You can obtain an ITIN by mail using IRS Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). You will need to submit your passport, visa, and a completed Form W-7 to the IRS.

The process takes four to six weeks by mail. If you are in the United States, you can also visit an IRS office or an authorized acceptance agent (many tax preparation offices offer this service) to apply in person, which can speed up the process to one to two weeks. Once you have an ITIN, you can use it to open a bank account, file taxes, or obtain credit.

Some banks will open an account for you while your ITIN application is pending, but they will ask you to provide the ITIN within a certain timeframe (usually 30 to 90 days) after the account opens. Do not count on this; it is safer to obtain the ITIN first.

What happens after you open the account

Once your account is open, the bank will send you a debit card, checks, and online banking credentials by mail. If you provided a U.S. address, delivery takes three to seven business days. If you provided a foreign address (which is rare), delivery can take two to three weeks.

You will also receive tax documents from the bank. If you earned interest on your account, the bank will send you a Form 1099-INT at the end of the tax year. You are responsible for reporting this income to both the U.S. IRS and your home country's tax authority. Many countries require their residents to report foreign bank accounts, so check your home country's rules before opening the account.

The account itself has no special restrictions once it is open. You can deposit checks, transfer money, pay bills, and use your debit card like any other account holder. Some banks may place a hold on large deposits or flag unusual activity, but this happens to all customers, not just non-residents.

Common reasons applications get rejected

The most common reason a non-resident's application is rejected is a foreign address with no U.S. visa or immigration status. Banks cannot verify a foreign address, and without proof of legal U.S. presence, they will not open the account. If you are applying from abroad, use a U.S. address if you have one—a friend's address, a relative's address, or even a mail forwarding service address can work, as long as you can prove the connection to it.

A second common reason is missing tax identification. If you do not have an SSN or ITIN, some banks will reject the application on the spot. Others will ask you to obtain one within a certain timeframe. Do not assume the bank will wait; get your ITIN before you apply.

A third reason is an incomplete CIP verification. If the bank cannot verify your identity or address, they will either reject the application or ask for additional documents. This can include a notarized copy of your passport, a utility bill in your name, or a letter from your employer confirming your address. Respond to these requests quickly; banks have deadlines for completing the verification, and if you miss them, the application closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a U.S. bank account if I am on a tourist visa?

Yes, many banks will open an account for someone on a tourist visa, but you need a U.S. address. A hotel address, a relative's address, or a business address where you are working can all work. Call the bank first to confirm they accept tourist visa holders, because some require a work or student visa.

What if I do not have a U.S. address yet?

Use a temporary address if you have one: a hotel, an Airbnb, a relative's home, or a mail forwarding service. Some banks will accept these as long as you can prove the connection. If you have no U.S. address at all, open the account in person at a branch when you arrive in the country, or wait until you have secured housing.

Do I have to report my U.S. bank account to my home country?

That depends on your home country's tax laws. Many countries require residents to report foreign bank accounts, and some require annual reporting of account balances. Check with your home country's tax authority or a tax professional before opening the account to understand your reporting obligations.

How long does it take to open an account as a non-resident?

In person at a branch, it usually takes one to two hours and can be completed the same day. Online applications take longer—typically three to seven business days if approved, or longer if the bank requests additional documents. Some online applications are rejected outright without explanation.

Can I open an account if I am not authorized to work in the United States?

Yes. You do not need work authorization to open a bank account. You need a valid visa or immigration status, a U.S. address, and tax identification. Even tourists can open accounts, though some banks are more cautious with tourist visas than with work or student visas.