How to Open a US Bank Account Overseas as a Non USA Citizen (2024)

Need a US bank account but not American? Living abroad? Are you looking for options on applying remotely?

Let’s get you settled today, read on my friend! 🙂

If you’re a frequent traveler to the US, someone who plans to relocate in the US, or maybe a student who plans to take a degree in the states, opening a bank account is probably one of your check lists. Opening a bank account as a foreigner is a bit complicated to do especially in the United States – regulations were tightened due to various money laundering cases and the requirements became more complex. But fret not, opening a US bank account as a foreigner is still possible with preparation, proper documentation and a little bit of patience.

If you’d like us to help connect you with a US bank rep, please click the button below.

Note that not all banks have the same set of requirements, it sometimes varies depending on which state you plan on residing/moving to. Nonetheless, below are the usual and most common requirements by most banks:

• Your passport
• Proof of Address (such as billing statement/utility bill
• Debit/Credit Card from your country
• Social Security Number (here’s a tutorial on how to obtain an SSN as a noncitizen and additional information on why an SSN is important)
• Initial Deposit

• Secondary identification card such as driver’s license, work visa or student ID.
• Immigration Documents
• Bank Statement from your local bank
• Credit History Report
• Certification of employment from your US employer
• Enrollment Form (if you’re a student)

Ideally, it is best to reach out to the bank you intend to visit via phone call to clarify the documents needed before heading to the bank.

In most cases, yes.

To ease the account opening procedure, visiting the US to open an account would be an excellent thing to do. Nevertheless, going to the US just to open an account isn’t really a requirement for some banks. Nowadays, you can open an account online – only it takes long and you have a higher risk of getting disapproved.

Not all banks allow this, but there are some like HSBC and Citibank that allows you to open a bank account without you having to fly to the United States. To do this, you may:

1. Contact the bank representative to get you assisted – some banks may allow you to submit your documents by scanning & emailing them to them.

2. If you plan to open an account with a global bank that is also operating in your country (such as HSBC, CitiBank, Barclays, et al) you may actually coordinate with them to assist you in opening a bank account in the US prior your arrival.

3. Sign up online. Some banks like Chase & Bank of America offer online application services.

1. Use the address of a relative or next of kin
2. Use the address of a friend
3. Use a registered agent address / mail forwarding service. If all else fails, using a registered agent address should be your last option. Some banks accept this, especially if the mail service provider is just small-time and is less likely to get flagged as a registered agent address.
4. Use a personal mailbox by the UPS store

This is basically like a mail forwarding service + PO Box combined – only it gives you a real street address and not a PO Box number. Moreover, you can choose from any UPS Store Location.

If you plan to open a bank account and declare your address as a registered agent address, then you are most likely to get disapproved or declined. As part of KYC (Know-your-customer), banks require a legit physical domicile. Typically, you can choose from these 4 options mentioned above and open an account without telling the bank anything about the address specified.

We have been adding related posts and guides for those looking to expand their business into USA, please check out these related posts:getting a USA virtual address andHow to Incorporate in USA, enjoy!

Help is on the way

One of our partner banker services helped get Alex setup with a Bank of America. He’s from Mexico and didn’t have to go to US in person to apply.

Let’s check out the bank process here of him logging in and getting some things done with our host, Mike.

As we have talked to people setting up their American banking operation, we noticed they are not using a US IP address. They are using Mexico, or wherever they are, and the US bank websites turns to Spanish.

This is a problem

Why’s that?

Basically, it is the location of your computer, and if you are going to be safe we recommend you using a location of the computer that is in USA so that the bank doesn’t trigger any fraud alerts.

We have a special offer from a VPN company here or you can read about setting up a VPN here.

Here at Global From Asia, we talk to so many different companies to help readers get a US bank account solution. One is a client trust account. This means you are using a combination of your own account login with a trusted partner.

There is an upfront fee for setting this up, and it can be used for Amazon and Shopify and other online marketplaces, to learn more ask to connect with that trust account option here

We’ve had quite a few people email us their experiences, we would love to document it here to help others – you can help us by answering the following questions:

• When did you open a USA bank account?
• Did you have to go to the USA to do it?
• What were the fees to do it?
• What is the name of the bank?
• Do you hear if it is easier or harder these days?

Let us all work together to make this headache of banking globally easier!

The team at GFA made a full detailed infographic – free – to help you on your bank account application journey – view and download the high resolution version here.