When most people think about offshore or international banking, they don’t think about opening US bank accounts for non-residents. In fact, the USA isn’t an obvious place for most people to open an account.
Most foreigners and non-residents think that banking in the USA can cause issues with taxes and privacy.
And if you’re not familiar with banking in the USA, you might also think that opening an account there is incredibly difficult.
The US government is known for being tough on foreigners, non-residents, and immigrants. Just getting a visa to the country is daunting, intense, and heavy on paperwork. One word out of place and you’re rejected!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- It is 100% possible for non-residents and tourists to open bank accounts in the US
- Account opening requirements will vary depending on your client profile, banking needs, and the bank you choose to open an account with
- Opening accounts in the USA can be challenging if you aren’t properly prepared
- There are many benefits non-residents and tourists can unlock with US banking
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- Can a Non-Resident Open a Bank Account in the USA?</a>
- What Are the Benefits of Banking in the USA?
- What Are the Disadvantages of Banking in the USA?
- How Can Non-Residents Open a Bank Account in the USA?</a>
- What Are the Challenges of Opening an Account in the USA?
- How Do I Choose Where to Open a Personal Account?
- Frequently Asked US Banking Questions
- Do You Want Help Opening US Bank Accounts?
Can a Non-Resident Open a Bank Account in the USA?</h2>
Ye</strong>
s, a non-resident can open a bank account in the USA as long as they can meet the account opening requirements and have a suitable client profile. It’s no surprise that most non-residents think that opening a US bank account is difficult.</strong></p>
Here’s the big secret: opening a US bank account as a non-resident is incredibly easy if you have the right information. In fact, the United States is one of the easiest places in the world to open a bank account as a foreigner.
But, buyer beware, not all US banks are created equal and you can waste a lot of time and money trying to open accounts if you go to the wrong ones!
In this article, we’re going to walk you through the entire process of how (and why) to open accounts in the United States as a non-resident.
If you’re looking for the answer to any of the following questions, you’re going to want to read this article…
- Non-Residents: How to open a US bank account as a non-resident?</li><li>Without an SSN: How to open a US bank account without an SSN?
- Foreigner: How to open a US bank account as a foreigner?
- Tourist: How to open a US bank account as a tourist?
Now, if you’re looking to find a way to open a US bank account from overseas (or open a US bank account online), your options are going to be extremely limited. While rare, there are special exceptions and circumstances where this is still possible. We’ll share more insights on this below.
Don’t forget to download your FREE USA Banking Starter Guide. It’s designed to help non-residents open accounts with top banks in the US.
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What Are the Benefits of Banking in the USA?
For non-US citizens, having an account in the USA can be an incredibly valuable part of your international banking stack.
Benefits of Banking in the USA
- Easily connect to low-cost payment processors & EMIs
- Access the US banking system without becoming a US taxpayer
- You can access US banking, investment, and brokerage products
- US credit card products with financial benefits
- Join US travel rewards programs
- Establish US credit and access low-interest mortgages
- And much more…
Below are some of the other reasons why non-residents and tourists want to bank in the USA.
America Is a Credible, First-World Country
The United States boasts one of the most well-connected financial systems in the world. As a customer of a US bank, that means fast, efficient, and cost-effective banking. And, that in itself can be a huge benefit, depending on the volume and value of transactions you send each month.
Funds originating from the USA are also received by other countries with less scrutiny. For instance, banks, regulators, and other clients trust transfers coming from accounts in the USA more than those in other countries, like Malta, Panama, Lebanon, or Cambodia. That’s because the USA is perceived as a reputable jurisdiction with strict banking compliance, an advanced banking system, and tough banking regulators. Thus, there’s an assumption that customers coming from US banks are vetted more carefully.
All things considered, the USA has a generally strong reputation, and that carries over to individuals who bank there. If you have an account in the US, your money is typically accepted faster and easier than in other countries.
USD Banking & Payment Solutions
One of the most obvious benefits of banking in the USA is the ability to access USD-denominated payment processing solutions. While this applies to individuals and entrepreneurs with business more than anyone else, they have benefits for individuals, solopreneurs, and freelancers as well.
With a USA bank account, it becomes significantly easier to access payment processing options and fund EMI accounts. This makes selling to the US market and receiving payments from customers in the USA and around the world much easier.
By using US banking and payment solutions, you can dramatically decrease your transaction costs, collect payments faster, access a wider market, and (with a USA bank account) move money in and out of US platforms with ease, such as Amazon, Adsense, Paypal, eBay, and many more.
Most US Banks are Non-Resident Friendly
Unlike many countries around the world, opening an account as a non-resident or tourist in the USA is not an issue. You just need to know which banks will accept you, which branches to apply at, how to avoid the pitfalls, and what to do if you run into a banker who tells you they can’t open for foreigners.
Generally speaking, banks in the USA are more open to having non-residents as customers than in other countries (e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore, and Panama). This attitude towards non-residents is a major reason why the US has become the largest “offshore” banking hub and tax haven in the world.
All these things combined have made the USA a beacon for non-resident money. And it’s no surprise, there are major benefits to banking in the USA for non-US citizens.
Deposit Insurance
We’ve discussed many times before why we don’t think deposit insurance should be the only factor driving you to bank in a certain jurisdiction.
And while most deposit insurance schemes around the world would collapse if there was a major financial crisis, it doesn’t hurt to have deposit insurance in place in case your bank gets in trouble.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) offers one of the longest-standing and most generous deposit insurance schemes available. In addition to covering the deposits of US citizens, it also covers the deposits of foreign non-residents equally.
The FDIC commits to insuring up to US $250,000 per account holder, per bank. Again, the FDIC doesn’t have enough money to prop up the US banking sector in a time of crisis, but if a single bank goes down, you should be just fine.
Privacy (No Information Sharing)
While the USA forces every other country to share information with them about the banking activities of US taxpayers abroad via FATCA, the US doesn’t reciprocate.
This means that US banks don’t share information about non-resident account holders with tax authorities in their respective home countries because the US hasn’t signed on to the Common Reporting Standards (CRS).
For instance, if a Russian citizen opens a bank account in the US, the USA is not going to send information about that person’s bank account to Russian tax authorities.
And as long as the USD continues to be the world’s banking currency and the US continues to be the epicenter of the world’s financial system, the USA will continue to have the leverage they need to force everyone else to open their books.
What Are the Disadvantages of Banking in the USA?
Before you get too excited about banking in the US, this article is not a blanket endorsement for US banks.
Most banks in the USA are in poor financial health, have bad financials, and make risky investments with their depositor’s money. Not exactly a sign of success and stability.
Below is a breakdown of the disadvantages of banking in the USA for non-residents. After understanding both the benefits and disadvantages, you’ll be able to determine if the USA is a good banking option for you.
Poor Quality Banks
As mentioned, you shouldn’t keep your life savings in the USA banking system. The reason for that stems from the poor financial health of the banks themselves.
Banks in the USA tend to be over-leveraged, undercapitalized, and have a significantly higher risk tolerance when compared to their international peers. As a depositor, this should concern you.
When choosing a bank, you want an institution that operates conservatively, doesn’t put your deposits at risk, and keeps enough cash on hand to maintain adequate solvency and liquidity to protect itself (and your deposits) from financial ruin. In general, banks in the US don’t do a great job of that.
The USA also has a very high rate of bank failure. Between 2008-2015, over 500 US banks failed. That’s the highest bank failure rate in the developed world. Compare that to other places like Singapore which has never had a bank failure, ever.
Low-Interest Rates
In addition to not being home to the best banks, USA bank accounts have very low-interest rates. And while they haven’t dipped into negative territory like Europe, they aren’t offering you any meaningful performance.
If you want fixed deposits with higher interest rates, then you should strongly consider a non-USA banking option. Simply put, you will find better returns, better banks, and better value elsewhere.
The USA is USD-Centric
Unlike a lot of the international banking options that we discuss at GlobalBanks, the banks in the USA tend to focus on a single currency, USD.
If you are looking for multi-currency options, there are much better and more cost-effective solutions abroad. But when it comes to USD banking, the USA is obviously one of the best options.
If you are planning on using your US account for international transfers or foreign currencies, you will find that the fees can be significantly higher than those available in Europe or Asia, depending on the currency.
Strict on Opening Requirements
Banks in the USA have started to get more particular about US address requirements and what types of “proof” are considered acceptable. Some US banks will even reject virtual office and mail forwarding addresses, while others won’t take a second look.
While this might not seem like a major obstacle, it can quickly become an expensive problem if you are a non-resident opening an account. Knowing the requirements, sensitivities, and account opening quirks of each bank before you apply is key.
Having the right information going in can make the difference between opening an account in 30 minutes and leaving the USA without a bank account.
There are several other account opening challenges and pitfalls that non-residents need to know before applying for US bank accounts. We’ll cover all USA account opening strategies for non-residents in detail in our upcoming US Non-Resident Banking Report.</p>
In this report, we will also share which US banks are non-resident friendly, which to avoid, which are incredibly picky, the best strategies, special opportunities, and all the account opening quirks (and benefits) in between.
Physical Presence Requirements
While you will be required to show up in person in order to open an account at almost every US bank (Note: we found a few special exceptions), that’s not what we’re talking about here. In addition to account opening, many US banks have strict requirements about showing up in person for a range of different procedures.
Sometimes, this can include unlocking your bank account, if it is ever locked or frozen for security purposes.
For example, it’s not uncommon for certain US banks to require a customer to come into a branch and present an identification document to verify their identity, in order to unlock their account.
If a bank sees anything that looks like fraudulent activity, identity theft, or abnormal transaction behavior, they might require you to physically come into the branch to verify your identity, again. Something as simple as logging into your account from a high-risk country or from multiple different countries without a VPN can trigger this.
For non-residents who live outside of the US, having to fly to the USA to prove your identity is a massive inconvenience. Plus, it’s expensive. But, with some banks, there’s no way around this if you want to unlock your account.
So, knowing which banks do not require a “second round” of in-person identity verification to unlock your account is extremely useful. If you live abroad, avoiding these banks can save you money and a lot of headaches.
Another con is that some USA banks may require you to physically come into the branch in person in order to make an international transfer. Again, for non-residents with US bank accounts who live abroad, this is incredibly inconvenient.
<h2 id=”how-can-nonresidents-open-a-bank-account-in-the-usa”>How Can Non-Residents Open a Bank Account in the USA?
Now that you know the benefits and disadvantages of banking in the US, it’s time to get down to the process of actually opening an American bank account.
Like the rest of the world, account opening in the USA isn’t as easy for foreigners, as it is for US citizens and residents. But it’s still possible. If after reviewing the benefits and disadvantages, if you still feel that a USA bank account is for you, this is what you’ll need and how you can go about opening an account.
Requirements for Opening Bank Accounts in the USA
- Passport
- Proof of US address & mailing address
- US phone number
- Minimum deposit</li>
Some banks will have different requirements. Other banks will refuse non-residents. Others will only take you if you have an SSN or ITIN. Others will want to see even more documents.
That said, to open a bank account in the USA as a non-resident, you need to arm yourself with the right information and prepare. One of the most important things you can do is identify which banks and branches are actually open to non-residents and won’t waste your time.
More specifically, you need to know the account opening quirks for each bank. You also need to know what type of accounts are available to you and what documents they will accept since you can’t provide some of them as a non-resident. And where possible, what problems and challenges you’re going to face when applying at each bank.
In most instances, the information that you’ll find on the internet is either incredibly generic or painfully outdated. That’s why it’s important to either use the premium information, tools, and contacts available to GlobalBanks Insiders or contact each bank individually and speak to bankers that you are planning to meet with. Though this second option can be very time-consuming and challenging, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
What Are the Challenges of Opening an Account in the USA?
Even though the USA is welcoming to non-resident account holders, there are still a lot of costly mistakes to avoid. Unfortunately, many non-residents make these mistakes when trying to open US accounts.
And if you don’t successfully open an account at one bank, you’ll have to find another bank. Or, travel to another branch, and re-apply.
For this reason, we recommend identifying multiple banking options beforehand. If after opening your first account, you no longer want to visit the other banks, that’s fine. But at least you have backup options available if you don’t get your first choice.
Here are some of the most common mistakes that we see people make when applying to accounts in the US.
<h3>Applying at the Wrong Bank
One of the most common mistakes non-residents make is applying for an account at the wrong bank. Knowing which banks accept non-residents is critical to getting an account open. Knowing which banks don’t require ITINs and SSNs is equally important. Don’t assume that every bank in the USA opens accounts for non-residents without ITINs, because they don’t.
Not Confirming Your Documents Beforehand
As a non-resident, it’s likely that you are not going to have the same documentation. For this reason, you need to confirm with the bank beforehand whether or not they will accept your documents. GlobalBanks IQ members can access the commonly accepted documents in the US Non-Resident Banking Report. But to do this on your own you should check with each bank before applying.
Using the Wrong Address
One of the central challenges of account opening in the USA is bank-specific requirements for proof of US address. Again, this varies from bank to bank. Some are pickier than others. And you’ll want to understand the specific nuances that each bank has before applying so you don’t waste time. You can do this by calling the bank and speaking to the specific person that handles new accounts. This is important as most customer service representatives won’t know the correct answer.
How Do I Choose Where to Open a Personal Account?
When considering where to bank in the US, the options are endless. Think about how many major cities, banking hubs, and local branches there are to choose from.
Typically, banking in a foreign country usually means banking in one of the country’s major financial centers. In smaller countries, that might mean simply banking in the country’s capital. In larger countries, you might have a choice of two or three cities. But when it comes to banking in the US, you have the widest selection imaginable.
Frequently Asked US Banking Questions
Below are three of the most common questions we receive from people looking to open a US bank account as a non-resident. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Can a Foreigner Open a US Bank Account?
Yes, a foreigner can open a US bank account as a non-resident. They will need to meet the bank’s account opening requirements and have a suitable client profile. That said, not all banks in the USA offer bank accounts to non-resident clients. So, bank selection is an important factor when choosing where to open a US bank account.
Can I Open a Bank Account in the USA as a Tourist?
Yes, you can open a US bank account as a non-resident tourist. However, most US banks have requirements for a local address, phone number, and clear rationale for opening the account.
Can Non-Residents Open a Bank Account in Bank of America?
Yes, non-residents can open a bank account in Bank of America. However, Bank of America typically requires an in-person visit to open accounts. Additionally, like other US banks, Bank of America has restrictions on certain citizenships, residencies, and the types of services offered.
Do You Want Help Opening a US Bank Account as a Non-Resident?
If so, you can get access to GlobalBanks USA (our dedicated US account opening service) in just a few clicks.
GlobalBanks USA is a 100% personal account opening solution. It provides direct access to our team of US banking experts.
When you join, you receive…
+ Expert suggestions on where to open US bank accounts.
+ Step-by-step support to navigate US account opening.
+ Direct introductions to helpful and responsive bankers.
+ Plus, detailed guides to maximizing the value you get from your new USA bank account.
And “yes!” GlobalBanks USA helps foreigners and non-resident individuals open accounts.
In fact, GlobalBanks USA even helps non-resident US LLCs and foreign & offshore entities.
To learn more about opening accounts with GlobalBanks USA, just click here now. Or, contact us directly with any questions!